Philips Burning on Protection "But Jeff Joseph, vice president of communication for the Consumer Electronics Association -- a consortium of manufacturers -- says the standoff could require 'a huge education campaign' that could force retailers to segregate copy-protected CDs from those with the logo, something Amazon has already begun doing.... 'The last time Universal and Disney squared off against a major consumer electronics company was the Sony Betamax case,' von Lohmann said. 'They lost....' Philips' patents on much of the technology for CD audio begins expiring this year and next. And newer audio formats such as DVD-Audio already boast far superior sound quality than CDs. Doris thinks the compact disc will be replaced by 'something like what was tried with DVD-Audio, but with better copy protection.' Some of that protection may come from legislation: Senator Fritz Hollings has yet to introduce the Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA) into Congress, but drafts in circulation would require all devices sold in the U.S. for playing audio and/or video to include copyright protection mechanisms dictated by the entertainment industry." [in Wired News]
Every "device" would include PCs, too. The SSSCA is just as misguided as the DMCA. How come we don't hear Congress and the bigco copyright holders advocating for the marketplace to work this one out? Because of the money. For a glimpse into one possible future, read A Love Song for Napster. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
9:38:25 AM 
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