INTERNET
Senate Panel Debates Divisive Internet Privacy Bill
Appeals Court Says Net Posters Constituted a Threat to Doctors
The DMCA Is The Toast of D.C.
BROADCAST
TV Giants Given Time To Flip Digital Switch
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Commissioner: Authorities Should Encourage Convergence
INTERNET
SENATE PANEL DEBATES DIVISIVE INTERNET PRIVACY BILL
The Senate Commerce Committee voted 15-8 to approve legislation proposed by
Chairman Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-S.C.) that would give consumers more
control over what personal information can be collected by Internet
companies and how that information may be used. The bill would require
companies to obtain consumer permission before collecting or sharing
sensitive information. In addition, the bill would allow consumers to sue
companies that mishandle personal data. Staunch opposition to the bill comes
from Rebublicans and business groups who feel that the bill would single out
only online companies for 'opt-in' requirements an would unfairly expose
these companies to expensive lawsuits. The draft bill accepted yesterday
included some enforcement compromises and more negotiations are expected
before a vote will be scheduled.
[SOURCE: Newsbytes; AUTHOR: Brian Krebs]
(http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/176627.html)
APPEALS COURT SAYS NET POSTERS CONSTITUTED A THREAT TO DOCTORS
The 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals in a reversal of a decision last year,
ruled that anti-abortion activists who created Wanted posters depicting
various doctors and a Web site listing the doctors names and addresses
would be considered liable for making illegal threats. The issue was
whether the posters and Web sites violated a law that made it illegal to
incite violence against abortion doctors. In a 6-5 decision, the appeals
court called the works, "a true threat" and not free speech as the
antiabortion activists had argued. Last year the court had made an
opposite decision, but members of Congress said that the ruling would
destroy the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. After reversing the
ruling the appeals court ordered a lower-court judge to reduce the original
punitive damages awarded to the defendants.
[SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1021595574551935760,00.html?mod=new%5Fme
dia%5Fprimary%5Fhs)
(Requires subscription)
THE DMCA IS THE TOAST OF D.C.
At a Thursday afternoon party, Washington's most influential lobbyists and
politicians raised toasts to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Officially, the celebration, hosted by the International Intellectual
Property Alliance (IIPA), was to cheer a global copyright treaty that takes
effect on Monday. Equally important, however, was the show of support among
key legislators and industry groups for the DMCA which has come under
increasing scrutiny in the courts and from technologists. Critics of the
DMCA argue that it does not allow for fair use of copyrighted works and that
creativity will be stifled. But supporters of the DMCA argue that copyright
is essential to promoting creativity. "Creativity - and the economy - thrive
when copyrights are strong," said Robert Holleyman, president of the
Business Software Alliance. "The DMCA is proof of that. It has been one of
the central pillars supporting the growth of the Internet and the economy in
general."
[SOURCE: Wired News; AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
(http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,52602,00.html)
BROADCAST
TV GIANTS GIVEN TIME TO FLIP DIGITAL SWITCH
The FCC granted six month extensions for nine big-city television stations t
o air their full broadcast signal digitally. The agency also proposed
sanctions it may impose on another 1,300 stations that cannot show that
digital broadcast was not possible due to unforeseen circumstances beyond
their control. FCC Chairman Michael Powell said at the agency's monthly open
meeting that there were opportunities for waivers. "We're not going to be
unreasonable about it; the transition is complicated, there are bumps on the
road, there are things that are beyond peoples' control." Approximately 580
stations have already been granted six-month extensions to begin
broadcasting fully in digital. The FCC is seeking more information from
another 300 stations seeking extensions.
[SOURCE: CNET; AUTHOR: Reuters]
(http://news.com.com/2100-1023-915752.html?tag=cd_mh)
See also:
FCC SETS RULEMAKING TO ESTABLISH REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR UNEXCUSED FAILURE TO
CONSTRUCT DIGITAL TV FACILITIES
(http://www.fcc.gov)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
COMMISIONER: AUTHORITIES SHOULD ENCOURAGE CONVERGENCE
European Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Errki Liikanen
has said that government authorities should work to encourage the
convergence of digital television, mobile phones and broadband. At a
recent conference he said, "With a wider choice of platforms and networks
we will increase inclusion...There is far less reason for anyone to be
excluded on the grounds of geography, skills or capabilities." He also
added that convergence would help promote entrepreneurship and that "local
initiatives that exploit cultural diversity should be able to flourish."
[SOURCE:Europemedia, AUTHOR: Tamsin McMahon]
(http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=10531)
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