Public Interest and Library Groups ask for Broadcast Flag Hearings
Public Interest and Library Groups ask for Broadcast Flag Hearings
Public Interest and Library Groups ask for Broadcast Flag Hearings

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    For Immediate Release

    Today a group of nine public-interest and library groups asked congressional leaders to conduct hearings and examine the complex issues surrounding the “broadcast flag.” The flag is a part of the over-the-air digital TV signal that controls whether a viewer may record a program, or otherwise store or use it.

    One letter was sent to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens (R-Alaska) and Co-Chairman Inouye (D-Hawaii), copied to members of the Committee. Another letter (with the same text) was sent to House Commerce Committee Chairman Barton (R-Tex.) and ranking member Dingell (D-Mich.), Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Upton (R-Mich.) and ranking member Markey (D-Mass.), copied to members of the subcommittee.

    The groups signing the letter are: American Library Association, American Association of Law Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, Center for Democracy & Technology, Consumers Union, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Medical Library Association, Public Knowledge, Special Libraries Association

    The text of the letter follows:

    October 6, 2005

    The Honorable Ted Stevens, Chairman
    The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, Co-Chairman
    U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
    508 Dirksen Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510-6125

    Re: Broadcast Flag

    Dear Chairman Stevens and Co-Chairman Inouye:

    Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the Federal Communications Commission did not have the legal authority to impose the “broadcast flag” regime on devices capable of receiving digital television broadcasts. Some supporters of the flag rule have called for rapid action by the Congress either to authorize the FCC to implement the rule, or to enact it directly.

    Many of the undersigned entities have previously communicated their individual views and concerns about the flag regime. While our views may not be uniform in all respects, we agree that the issues raised by the flag regime for technology and copyright policy are too complex and far-reaching to be addressed by Congress in a hurried manner. The broadcast flag regime would reach not just the design and manufacture of televisions, but also that of digital devices networked with televisions, including personal video recorders, personal computers, and Internet enabled mobile phones. In addition to involving the federal government in the process of technological innovation, there is a substantial risk that the flag regime would restrict users from engaging in a wide variety of fair uses critical to public affairs, education, and culture.

    Accordingly, while we support the general goal of combating widespread copyright infringement, we respectfully request that the Committee handle this issue in regular order. In particular, we believe that the Committee should conduct hearings on the flag regime. Although the broadcast flag concept has been touched upon in a few hearings, no congressional committee has conducted an in-depth investigation of the significant technology and information policy questions the flag raises. In addition, reports indicate that the record industry is advocating expanding flag legislation to authorize a comparable regime for digital radio – an idea that has received virtually no congressional consideration to date. The Committee should request witnesses from the entertainment, technology and public interest communities to answer the following questions, among others:

    • Are digital television broadcasts more susceptible to Internet based infringement than analog broadcasts?
    • If widespread infringement of digital broadcast signals is a real risk, is the flag regime the most effective means of preventing it?
    • What impact would the flag regime have on the development of new technologies?
    • What impact would the flag regime have on the fair use of television signals?
    • To the extent that the flag regime could have negative impacts in some of these areas, is it possible to craft limitations and safeguards to help minimize those impacts?
    • If the flag regime is imposed, what other regulation will likely follow, e.g., the “analog hole” or digital radio broadcasts? What new questions are raised by the idea of extending flag-like regulation to digital radio?

    We look forward the working closely with the Committee as it considers this important issue.

    Sincerely,

    American Library Association
    American Association of Law Libraries
    Association of Research Libraries
    Center for Democracy & Technology
    Consumers Union
    Electronic Frontier Foundation
    Medical Library Association
    Public Knowledge
    Special Libraries Association

    A PDF copy of the letter is available here:
    http://www.publicknowledge.org/pdf/20051006-joint-senate-letter.pdf

    A PDF copy of the letter sent to house members is here:
    http://static.publicknowledge.org/pdf/20051006-joint-house-letter.pdf

    Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.