Legislation is being introduced to require digital security (read: protection of digital copyrights and copy protection schemes) in any OS or device that is built in the US that can handle such information. The “Security Systems Standards and Certification Act” basically lets the TV, movie and record industry (not to mention commercial OS manufacturers) enforce the digital security schemes they want enforced, incidentally killing off free OSs, like Linux, that are manufactured in an Open Source environment.
It is unlawful to manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide or otherwise traffic in any interactive digital device that does not include and utilize certified security technologies that adhere to the security systems standards adopted under section 104. [Sec. 104 lets the Secretary of Commerce decide who should define the systems, and allows him/her to ignore anti-trust concerns as well as existing guidelines on federal advisory boards in doing so.]
[…] The term “interactive digital device” means any machine, device, product, software, or technology, whether or not included with or as part of some other machine, device, product, software, or technology, that is designed, marketed or used for the primary purpose of, and that is capable of, storing, retrieving, processing, performing, transmitting, receiving, or copying information in digital form.
Doesn’t that last paragraph sounds like it covers … just about every device around?
Although a bit breathless at times, NewsForge has more info on why this is all a Bad Idea.
(Via InstaPundit)