[mythtv-users] Congress to Make Commercial Skipping Illegal

[Travis Kelley]

Very interesting bill...but perhaps there is a loophole.  In section 212
there is an exemption IF

(A) no fixed copy of the altered version of the motion picture is
created by such computer program or other technology; and

(B) no changes, deletions or additions are made by such computer program
or other technology to commercial advertisements, or to network or
station promotional announcements, that would otherwise be performed or
displayed before, during or after the performance of the motion
picture.';

Now I'm no lawyer but my reading of that says if you don't actually
modify the recording you can still skip it.  Also in a previous section
in mentions AUDIO and video content...now lets assume you recorded
something on your vcr.  You're watching along and come to a commercial,
so you press fast forward.  Doesn't your vcr cut the sound out?  Are you
"skipping" the sound?  But the vcr doesn't actually modify the
recording.  Perhaps they had to put that in there for that reason?!?!
Who knows.  But definately a scarey bill.

This whole thing is contained under "Motion Pictures".  When I think of
motion pictures I think movies....does that include tv shows to?

On Tue, 2004-11-16 at 09:53, George Galt wrote:
> All:
> 
> The House has passed HR 2391, which is being considered by the Senate
> today (11/16).  Successful passage by the Senate will put this bill on
> the President's desk late this year or early next.
> 
> This bill makes it a violation of the Copyright Act to skip
> commercials using a technological means (hardware or software) -- and
> it makes it a violation to make the computer program that allows
> people to skip commercials.  You can get information on the bill here:
> http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:h.r.02391:
> 
> and you can read the Wired story on the bill here:
> 
> http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,65704,00.html
> 
> My suggestion is call your Senators and Representatives and let them
> know that it is ridiculous to make it illegal for you to skip
> commercials (assuming you agree that it is).
> 
> You can reach your Senators and Representatives through the Capitol
> switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.  Or you can email
> them by going to their web sites, which you can find through
> www.senate.gov or www.house.gov.
> 
> George
> 
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