In a well-written article from Ars Technica, Hannibal chases down an item that appears in the EFF's Deeplinks section. The EFF article describes an attempt by the RIAA and MPAA to restrict future electronics to supporting only "customary historic use" of content, and they describe how they want it implemented.

The root of the problem is that the RIAA and MPAA still believe that that can, should, and have the right to enforce their ideas of their intellectual property rights on the public through legislation.

A new bill making the rounds in the US Senate, would codify these provisions if it were to pass.

In a nutshell, they will require the enforcement of a Broadcast Flag (described in earlier legislation, but basically an indicator in the broadcast itself that the content being sent is under copyright) and the use of a "secure moving technology" that would restrict the use of content in ways than those otherwise envisioned by the law and big media.

There will be a hearing on the 24th (Tuesday) where this new bill will be discussed by the Commerce Committee and I urge you all to take a few minutes and go to the EFF website and send a note to your Senator(s) to oppose this needless and onerous legislation. (By the way, if you do so, you'll want to proofread and modify the text they have there, as there are a few typos.)