'Broadcast Flag' May Be Attached To Digital Television Legislation

Trade associations representing movie and recording industries are trying to persuade Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to give the FCC the authority to mandate copy-protection technology for movies and music. RIAA and other artist and music groups are worried that consumers will be able to use software to record and create libraries of high-quality music via digital radio. Some artists worry the practice could undermine revenue they could earn through digital downloads. Movie studios, meanwhile, want the FCC to have regulatory authority over television equipment in order to prevent the mass, online redistribution of high-definition entertainment.