Group Attempts To DRM TV In The UK

[admin]

An UK group has tried to add DRM to TV broadcast. They would do this by adding encrypted metadata on the broadcast which can only be decoded using licensed algorithms, thus ensuring devices that have not purchased the license will not be able to decode digital TV broadcasts.

While the measure is said to be aimed at piracy, the real effect of this would be to limit innovation, to prevent any device to come onto the market that content owners don't approve of, as they can simply deny the issuing of a license. The matter then becomes a legal one, which their teams of lawyers can easily deal with.

Has the DMCA and similar legislation, and DRM measures, given too much power to content owners, that they can now stifle competition and innovation in the name of preventing piracy?

More:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/200...44396191.shtml