Saturday, September 27, 2003

Philips Electronics criticised proposed U.S. legislation to set a ''broadcast flag'' that would give a handful of technology companies and Hollywood studios control over re-distribution of digital television broadcasts, including movies.        But the broadcast flag would also prevent consumers from recording snippets of free-to-air news bulletins and from emailing them to friends or relatives.        Electronics makers would also have to redesign PCs, TVs, set-top boxes and video recorders to include technology from a group of just five companies, including Intel.        ''It will be controlled by just a few companies. They will have a huge competitive advantage,'' said a spokesman for Philips, who last week testified before the U.S. Senate's commerce committee. The broadcast flag could be made law next month. The attempt to control the contents of the internet will be a really interesting story. 7:46:48 AM    comment [] trackback []