House Lawmakers To Intro Audio Flag Bill

House Lawmakers To Intro Audio Flag Bill
March 02, 2006
By Tony Sanders


Rep. Mike Ferguson, R., N.J., will introduce the “Audio Broadcast Flag Licensing Act of 2006” on Thursday (March 2). The bill includes an HD radio component and a satellite radio component, according to staffers in Ferguson’s office, who spoke to Billboard Radio Monitor on condition of anonymity.

The HD component requires any private company that plans to manufacture an HD radio must incorporate technology in that radio that works with a broadcast audio flag “or something similar.” The satellite component imposes similar audio-flag requirements on equipment manufactured for both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.

http://billboardradiomonitor.com/radiomonitor/news/business/digital/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002115015

Ok this jackass has got to go! I am so upset that I am not in his district to help vote him out. What is he even thinking? Basically this bill would destroy improvements in radio technology and digital tech like iPods and other mp3 players. All copyrited materials have a fair use clause. An example of fair use is the right to videotape a show to watch later if your not home. That's an everyday occurrence. Every day people also tape radio programs to listen to them whether they are home or on a long commute. I have done this many times for overnight radio show so i could listen to them the next day in my car.

So, why is this ok for TV but not radio? Well, it's not ok because the RIAA says so and they have the money and the lobyists. These are the same people who are trying to shove down our throats that if we buy a CD we can't transfer that music to an iPod for mobile use. That is such a load of BS.

There are so many things corrupt and evil about this group and there policies that I don't know where to start. All I can say at the moment is go to www.eff.org. Join and support your rights!