Ted Stevens revives the broadcast flag. Again.

You'd think that Senator Ted Stevens, a man we've mentioned here many a time before, would have had a change of heart about the broadcast flag legislation in the brief moment of clarity he supposedly had (that prompted IPac to send all those Congresspeople free iPods). Well, we hate to break it to you, but the broadcast flag is back yet again, thanks to you-know-who. The wily creature last spotted in H.R. 4861 (the Audio Broadcast Flag Licensing Act of 2006), has been seen riding along with another bill Stevens recently introduced, a 135 page behemoth on net neutrality (which is a whole 'nother issue we're not even gonna get into right now). We're not sure how many times Stevens or other officials feel obligated to try resurrecting this egregious offense against consumer rights and fair use, but we'll be there with, um, the CEA, to make sure we do our part to see it struck down (again), as well as to politely tell Mr. Stevens, "No, you get a job."

[Via IPAC and BoingBoing]

[Todd @ May 2nd 2006 9:49AM]

Please publish senator Steven's political contributions - are "Big Media" all over it?

T

[Jason @ May 2nd 2006 10:01AM]

You can send this knucklehead your feedback at..

http://stevens.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Just put "not disclosing" for your address if you dont want to fess it up.

[Tim @ May 2nd 2006 10:55AM]

Here's everything you ever want to know about who gives money to Ted Stevens. Lookie at that, the tv/movie industry is #1.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00007997&cycle=2006

[blurry @ May 2nd 2006 11:21AM]

Given Ted Stevens record on pro-stem cell research and pro-abortion (with limitations -- he IS republican to some extent) there is a chance he might side with reason.

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/28/senators_figure_out_.html

Seems that he was a little pissed at the RIAA spokesperson when he learned that such a broadcast flag would prevent him from listening to broadcasts under fair use with his favorite device -- AN IPOD.

So I'm sure that whatever decision is reached will not be made blindly.

[blurry @ May 2nd 2006 12:06PM]

After reading it again, I think there is a little glimmer of "consumer rights" bit in it, specifically section 342, subsection c.2 that it not make any existing devices obsolete ("ipods" are existing devices, last I checked - I suspect Stevens put this in after the fiasco in January)
------------------
(c) Limitations on Regulations- The adoption of any digital audio regulations pursuant to this section--

(1) shall not delay the adoption of final operational rules for digital audio broadcasting;

(2) shall not make obsolete any devices already manufactured and distributed in the marketplace before the implementation of such regulations; and

(3) shall not be inconsistent with the customary use of broadcast content by consumers to the extent such use is consistent with the purposes of this act and other applicable law.
------------------

The reality:
True, all this broadcast flag stuff sucks. And it poses possible limitations on what we can do with our technology. But there are quite a few folks out there that would gladly make recorings of paid, copyrighted material and sell, retransmit or give away said protected materials to other parties for no cost. You should be pissed that this bill, if enforced/interpreted a certain way will stomp on your consumer rights. But you should also be equally pissed off at the jerks that abuse the law that have ruined it for the rest of us and led congress to even consider things like this.

I'm not saying the RIAA is not overstepping their bounds. It's pretty much assumed that they're out to make a quick buck even at the expense of the artists they so-called "represent." They'll sue your grandmother if they can take a few bucks out of her estate when she dies. They're a corporation and corporations care about money, not people. But unfortunately, it has also been undisputably proven that there is widespread unstoppable copyright violation going on.

Down with the RIAA:
I don't side with the RIAA or their business model at all. I would hope that artists would form a union and make closer to their fair share for the cd's they sell and the concerts they perform. The current system is designed to promote a bunch of sound-a-likes in order to manipulate the american youth for a buck. It's not only sickening, but it also prevents outsiders from coming in with new and original material -- unless they sell their soul to the RIAA to promote them, etc.

Support the artists:
However, if I decide to publish my own music in the future, I wouldn't want unauthorized distribution to affect my ability to make a living. (though i have free music available to anyone who feels like listening to it, it's only because I didn't feel compelled to charge for it at the time I wrote it)

To the "free music" counterpoint:
I don't agree that "all music should be free" either, which is a common phrase uttered by filesharers looking to justify their theft. Why? Look at how much music gear costs. Look at how much "mastering" costs from professional studios. To be fair to those who want free music, I'll throw down the gauntlet. If you can give me a studio with $50,000 worth of gear and unlimited access to a studio engineer to clean up my recordings and master them to make a professional caliber recording -- and then pay for my rent, food and bills for 6 months so I have time to put together material, then I'll make an album for free. Otherwise, STFU. If you still think that all music should be free, then it's probably because you still live with your parents and have no idea what it takes to survive in the real world yet. In which case, I am also somewhat relieved you are also not old enough to vote or drink irresponsibly in public.

[d chalmers @ May 2nd 2006 12:33PM]

In other news, Ted Stevens babbled furiously at his cereal before rubbing both hands furiously over his bald spot and putting his tie on upside-down.

I'm telling you, this guy is *senile*. He doesn't remember which way he voted on any given bill last week. He can barely tell the difference between the Senate floor and the giant elephant in Moulin Rouge. If you learn one thing living in Alaska it's that *Ted Stevens is an evil, stupid old bastard*. Expect neither coherency nor rudimentary motor skills in any of his actions.

[NNTPgrip @ May 2nd 2006 1:05PM]

This is the same a**hole that made sure the oil execs did not have to be sworn in during those hearings a while back on price gouging etc. He is publically a prick to no end and a clear puppet of the lobbyests. One thing I did not realize is that oil and media money is so intertwined, this worthless sac actually has anything to do with the broadcast flag.

I say screw everyone. There is no reason for musicians, actors, and athletes to get paid as much as they do which is only a fraction of what the crooks that run the industry get paid. As for those crooks that run the industry, execute them in time square for all to see--along with the destinquished gentleman from Alaska...

[SideSwipe @ May 2nd 2006 1:12PM]

Is this guy young enough to know what a "broadcast flag" really is?

[ipodman @ May 2nd 2006 3:34PM]

Nice look.

[paul @ May 2nd 2006 4:49PM]

I guess the only reason this wasn't done with VCR's and the like was limitation in technology tracking. As has been said many times: just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. I think this just underscores the fact that technology has changed the rules for both broadcaster and consumer. Who will come up with good solutions for both parties?

[Joe Mobile @ May 2nd 2006 4:56PM]

#7 - your ignorance is showing. The number of musicians, actors, athletes that make as much money as you assert are few and far between. Pretty much the ones you see on the cover of People Magazine. Since you get your dose of reality watching The OC, let me point out all the bands touring Akron in a van, actors waiting tables between auditions, and ballplayers on a farm team who drag their families from city to city each season. Not such a walk in the park for 99.9% of the professions you mentioned.

[anoncoward @ May 2nd 2006 7:44PM]

ted stevens had NOTHING to do with this:
lisa sutherland staff director commerce committee
christine kurth deputy staff director
harry wingo fcc detailee working for the commerce committee
paul nagle fte for the commerce committee

my money's on ted not having read a single page of this. we need to realize that it isn't the senators who drive policy it's their staff.

[jimbo @ May 2nd 2006 8:26PM]

blurry:
I do believe that all music should be free, and I don't believe that recording an album is a very viable source of income. I think you ought to do it out of love, fun, or self-promotion, but how are you gonna force people to pay for it?

I think the internet makes the entire RIAA completely obsolete(and more than just them). I fantasize about a day where artists can offer free downloads of everything, sell CDs for cheap, and make some cash from shows and merch without third parties taking a cut.

And here's a more reasonable counter-offer to $50k and 6 months rent: the Boss BR-1200CD retails for $1000.

[JohnnyCashAK @ May 2nd 2006 9:22PM]

Nothing entertains me more then watching you guys go off on someone over a bunch of facts you googled. If you want to tear into a crooked senator then why not lampoon the other Ted, you know the red faced date murdering alcoholic one? Yeah... look up his record and stance on similar issues. If any of you can show me (with hard proof) a senator that isn't in the pocket of at least one special interest group these days then I'll happily buy you a ticket to Canada.

Oh and number 6, Stevens is extremely coherent, and apparently sharp enough to be a top player in Washington even though he reps lil 'ol Alaska. I'm sorry you don't like him, that doesn't mean he's an idiot or senile.

[Ty Arnold @ May 2nd 2006 10:18PM]

I feel embarrased the fact he's representing my state...Alaska....

Yuck! Ted sucks.

[Ken @ May 3rd 2006 12:35AM]

It's amazing how strident people get when they're ashamed of themselves for stealing from poor musicians. You people probably have a grand apiece in audio gear yet have never paid for a single track in your lives.

F**K the RIAA! They're cOrRuPt!!!!!

[Jon @ May 3rd 2006 6:38PM]

At #6

Your post made me laugh, but I think it is a little inaccurate. I am an Alaskan, meaning I know a lot of Alaskans, and nobody I know thinks that Ted Stevens is a "evil, stupid old bastard". We overlook that part because he sends us lots of federal money.