FAQs

What is this all about?

This is about protecting the rights of individuals, including artists, innovators, and consumers, to use digital technology free of unreasonable government restrictions or the threat of costly lawsuits from the big recording labels and movie studios.   Digital technology enables anyone and everyone to be an artist and an innovator - to produce music, to create cutting edge films and videos, and to reach new audiences.  It allows individuals to enjoy these new works when they want, where they want, how they want and to participate in the process.  These are basic freedoms that must be protected and nurtured. 

What is Digital Technology?

Digital technologies provide a way for users to utilize and enjoy the benefits of innovation and creativity.  They include devices with which to listen to music, view videos, play games, time-shift entertainment or information, and other software or hardware that makes those possible.

Are New Digital Technologies Under Attack?

Yes!  The major recording labels and studios view new technology as a threat to their antiquated business models over the distribution of music, videos, film, and other creative works.  They have resorted to costly lawsuits against new digital technologies and backroom legislative maneuvers to roll back the rights of consumers, artists, innovators, producers, and creators to use digital technology when, where, and how they choose.

How Real Is This Threat?

IIt is very real.  The primary target of the big labels are any devices that allow individuals to record digital broadcasts of music, including from satellite subscriber services.  Put simply, they want to outlaw the ability of individuals to listen to satellite radio broadcasts when they so choose, banning Tivo-like devices for radio. 

For example, they have gotten their friends in Congress to push legislation called the Copyright Modernization Act of 2006 which, despite its harmless-sounding name, would require all incidental copies of music downloaded on  your computer to have a separate license from the original copy.  If passed into law, these licenses would be required for every digital copy made in the transmission of digital media—rendering these type of legal downloads virtually impossible. 

Another bill, the PERFORM Act, would make satellite radio broadcasting of music impractical unless technical limitations were imposed so as to allow only “reasonable” recording, whatever that means.

The Audio Broadcast Flag Licensing Act of 2006 would authorize the Federal Communications Commission to impose technical conditions on both satellite and high definition radio, attacking in-home consumer recording practices that have been in place since the tape recorder.

Is It More Than Just Satellite Radio At Risk?

This fight is about far more than just satellite radio services.  The big labels and studios have attacked just about every new technology from the VCR to the internet.  Anything that threatens their aging business model appears to be at risk.  They have gotten extensions to copyright rules more than a dozen times, putting historic music, literature, and even cartoon characters out of reach to innovators for our lifetimes. 

It has reached the point that parents must fear for their economic future because their kids might get sued for lawful activities that the labels and studios think should be illegal.  Individuals and parents shall be confident and secure that they will not face legal threats or lawsuits because they or their children are lawfully enjoying the fruits of digital technology in their own homes.

Is this About Digital Piracy?

No.  The big labels and studios love to argue that any new technology that threatens their business model is piracy.  But they must recognize that listening to music or viewing videos where, when, and how you want is not piracy.

What Can I Do To Help?

Join the DigitalFreedom Campaign.  You can send a letter to your Congressman and Senators.  E-mail your friends for them to join.  Sign a petition supporting the Campaign.  Host a banner on your web site, blog, of My Space page.  Help us get more members for the Campaign.

Is There A Cost?

No.  There is no cost to join the DigitalFreedom Campaign.

The attacks by the big recording labels and studios all have one goal—to outlaw new digital technology and devices that allow individuals to enjoy digital music and videos at a time and place that is convenient to them.