Consumer Groups Criticize RIAA for Inserting Digital Radio Into Broadcast Flag Argument

Consumer groups say as the motion picture industry is trying to persuade lawmakers to resurrect the FCC’s “broadcast flag” content controls for digital TV, the recording
industry is circulating on Capitol Hill a draft resolution and “fact sheet” on digital radio
calling on Congress to include as well content controls for digital radio. The FCC’s TV broadcast flag scheme was overturned by a federal appeals court.
Public Knowledge and Consumers Union called on Congress to reject the broadcast flag arguments.
“A broadcast radio flag won’t solve the problem of Internet piracy and would prevent consumers from lawful home recording off the radio,” said Kenneth DeGraff, policy advocate for Consumers Union.
The groups contend there’s no evidence that digital radio has caused copyright
problems overseas “where it has been widely available.”