Billy Tauzin: The broadcast flag meets DC's revolving door [ip]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Tauzin loves the broadcast flag, supported by the MPAA. See his press 
release below applauding the FCC's vote.

It must be sheer coincidence that Tauzin appears likely to run the MPAA soon:
http://www.nypost.com/business/41882.htm
> "October 25, 2003 -- Louisiana congressman Billy Tauzin has been plucked 
> to replace Jack Valenti, the long-running head of the Motion Picture 
> Association of America (MPAA), according to sources familiar with the matter. "

I'm heartened to see that yet another politician has the public interest at 
heart instead of his own personal (financial) interest.

-Declan

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 5, 
2003 




CONTACT: Ken Johnson or Jon Tripp

202-225-5735<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />



Tauzin Issues Statement

On FCC's Broadcast Flag Ruling



WASHINGTON (November 5) - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman 
Billy Tauzin (R-LA) today issued the following statement after the Federal 
Communications Commission voted late Tuesday to adopt "Broadcast Flag" 
technology to assist in the transition to digital television:

 "The FCC has taken yet another important step to bring digital television 
to American consumers by adopting the 'Broadcast Flag' rules. Absent the 
broadcast flag, content providers would be hesitant to make high-value 
digital content available to consumers. And unless exciting content is 
available, consumers will find little reason to embrace digital television. 
Implementation of this technology will help to preserve the viability of 
free, over-the-air broadcasting. Without content protection for such 
broadcasts, digital programming might migrate disproportionately to cable 
and satellite systems for which consumers must pay subscription fees."


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