dreadedmonkeygod . net

I swear, this broadcast flag thing simply won't die. It's back again, inserted into yet another piece of legislation. The bill is being marked up by the Senate Commerce Committee tomorrow, and the EFF has put together a great utility to let you voice your displeasure. Here's my letter:

I am writing to you as a constituent, and a technology worker to express my opposition to the broadcast flag and audio flag, which are both unpopular with consumers and oft-defeated in the legislature, but which have nevertheless found their way into S.2686, the Communications Act reform bill on behalf of the entertainment industry.

The broadcast and audio flags are will, by the entertainment industry's own admission, do nothing to stop piracy. The only people affected by these flags will be law-abiding consumers, who will lose, or have to pay extra for, rights which have traditionally protected by law. Where would the iPod be today if nobody were allowed to copy music to it, or if that "privilege" were to cost extra?

These flags give the entertainment industry veto power over new devices. I'm a computer programmer, and for me, fewer new tech companies, and fewer multimedia devices means fewer job opportunities. These flags are not small compromises to make the entertainment industry feel safe. They hit me where I live.

Tech mandates such as these will seriously cripple the promise of emerging media. New American technology companies will need to spend months asking permission to innovate from entrenched interests among the studio and record labels, which would have every incentive to impede progress.

I respectfully urge you to oppose these pre-emptive regulations on new media, our public airwaves, and America's multi-billion dollar technology industry where I earn my living. Please oppose the broadcast and audio flags, and work to have them removed from S.2686, the Communications, Consumer's Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act.

Go now, my minions, and defeat yet again the shambling undead monsters that are the Broadcast Flag and the Audio Flag!