FCC might impose system to stop digital TV piracy

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission stepped up pressure on the technology, entertainment and consumer electronics industries on Thursday to end a long-running dispute over protecting digital television broadcasts from piracy.

With key members of Congress already threatening to legislate some form of digital security, the FCC said it will consider whether to mandate a so-called broadcast flag on digital programming. The broadcast flag is an electronic marker that could tell DVD recorders and other devices not to record those programs.

It is aimed at preventing widespread copying and distribution over the Internet, which commissioners called a hurdle in the transition to digital TV.

Broadcasters have been reluctant to embrace digital TV until security measures are in place to prevent bootlegging. Digital programming can be copied and distributed via the Internet, with no degradation in quality.

"Given digital media's susceptibility to piracy, the issue of content protection must be resolved before broadcasters will make new, innovative and expensive digital content widely available," Commissioner Michael Copps said.

A group of Silicon Valley and Hollywood executives reached a partial consensus in June, agreeing that there should be a broadcast flag that would allow for personal copies, but prevent bootlegging. The agreement marked unusual cooperation between the content and technology industries.

But the parties could not agree on several key issues, including the scope of the protection and how to enforce new security measures.

Copps and others said the specter of FCC involvement could spur agreement on the remaining issues "or they will face a solution imposed on them in the near-term future."

The FCC set a deadline of Oct. 30 to receive comments on whether a broadcast flag would be effective and whether the FCC should mandate its use.

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