Digital radio broadcast flag gets snubbed by FCC

[joepic]

There's good news coming out of the FCC for radio fans, news that's sorely needed after two bits of negative news this past week. The FCC has published its rules for Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), and the big news is what's not in the rules: the broadcast flag.

The FCC made a number of important decisions with regards to DAB, but none of them touched the sensitive issue of requiring encryption and end-user control schemes for digital radio. The FCC's silence on the matter means that should the RIAA still wish to chase after the broadcast flag for digital radio, they'll need to lobby Congress to get it. The jury is out on whether or not there's any chance of Congress pushing something like that through, but since last year's elections there seems to be more skepticism in Congress with regards to the entertainment industry's technology plans. And make no mistake: the clock is ticking on this one. Digital radio has the clear go-ahead now (previous offerings were on a limited, case-by-case basis), and the time for implementing such a thing is quickly passing because of the equipment setup involved.

[TwistedLincoln]

If you get a chance, post a link to where you found this.

If true, this would be a big victory for opponents of DRM, and all those who value freedom...

[joepic]

If you get a chance, post a link to where you found this.

If true, this would be a big victory for opponents of DRM, and all those who value freedom...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070325-digital-radio-broadcast-flag-gets-snubbed-by-fcc.html

[MOVIEGEEK]

I don't plan on buying a digital radio soon(if ever) but I have to applaud the FCC for using common sense.

[Marvingj]

Hip Hip Horray!!!