Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] MPAA at it again.

[John Clark]

Alfred A. Aburto Jr. schrieb:

> > Marcus Leech wrote:
>
> > If they get their way, devices like the USRP would be illegal.
>
> Why Marcus?  I don't understand ...
> Al


Because the device can digitize a 'video signal'(or any other signal 
with in its band, or signals translated
to its band...), and does not prevent such digitization if the signal 
contains a marker.

The MPAA wants to require all such devices to disable 'conversions' on 
bit patterns found
in the signal, and those that don't conform, will be 'illegal'.

There is a similar requirement in implementations of 1394 (Firewire) 
devices which
disallows 'promiscuous' modes of operation for most consumer, and 
therefore more
devices individuals can buy at cheap prices. This effects who can 
produce 1394 monitor
equipment, or specialized applications, or do research on such topics a
'content broadcast/multicast'...

I expect 802.11 will also be soon 'upgraded' to prevent promiscuous 
modes to be enabled
without special versions of hardware, although there are features in the 
current standard
which may have to be eliminated, like 'peer to peer' or even 'ad-hoc'...

But heck as long MPAA and affiliated companies can become rich on poor 
programming,
monopoly style market capture, etc. we will soon be eating rainbow stew 
and drinking
free bubble-up.

Another thought that just occured to me, is I next expect to see that 
somehow national
security will be impacted by 'uncontrolled' digitizers... and to date 
the US representatives
have groveled at the feet of the admininstration when ever the 
'patriotic' card has been
played.

John Clark