CliffStearns
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Republican lawmakers say Google "gamed" 700Mhz auction
Google's plan in the 700MHz auction drama was never much of a secret: it was always assumed that the search giant would bid enough to trigger the open-access provisions, but wasn't really interested in winning, and sure enough, the company confirmed that strategy when the bidding wrapped up. Of course, news travels slow in our nation's capital, and word of Google's dastardly plan to make sure the FCC's open-access rules were triggered is apparently shocking news to a handful of Republicans, who characterized it as "gaming the system," and asked FCC chairman Kevin Martin if the agency had been "duped." Newsflash to Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich), Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) and John Shimkus (R-Ill): the FCC, Google, and Verizon argued about this for months and analysts had a field day, remember? And then Verizon gave up the lawsuits, went crazy on the open tip, and won the auction anyway. Of course, if Verizon hadn't won, Google would have had to make good on that $4.6B bid, which isn't exactly chump change. So, who gamed what? If anything, the FCC's coffers got a little fatter than they would have otherwise, and we're pretty certain consumers will benefit from open-access, so, uh, you guys want to stop wrecking the party now? Cool.[Thanks, Scott]
Pols want "Truth in Video Game Rating Act"
The ever vigilant Game Politics brings word of yet another video game bill (YAVGB), this one brought to you by a bipartisan group of Congressman spearheaded by Florida Republican Cliff Stearns, seeking "truth in video game ratings." Of course, Stearns is also the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the same Subcommittee that The Daily Show's Jon Stewart teased for being out-of-touch in June. So what are they seeking with bill HR 5912: "Rating games on only partial content: Unlike the present system, the ESRB would be forced to play games in their entirety." This will immediately become the dream job of gamers everywhere. "Withholding content: Publishers would be on the hook for failing to completely reveal content to the ESRB." Also known as Hot Coffee and Orc boobies are bad. "Gross mischaracterization of content: Although not specifically named, the ESRB would be barred from 'grossly mischaracterizing' (as defined by the FTC) game content." So wait, it wasn't coffee? Check out Game Politics for some more on the bill and their adroit analysis of these politician's motivations: all three sponsors are running for reelection this fall.
