Philips Busy at FCC on Copy Protection

[Gregg Lengling]

Philips Electronics has been busy at the Federal Communications Commission concerning copy-protection concerns and their relationship with consumer electronics, taking on those arguing for strict copy-protection measures such as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

This past week, Philips representatives met with commission staff, and restated the company's position that the FCC lacks authority to adopt certain encryption technology mandates, including those proposed by the MPAA. In a presentation on the subject, Philips said the commission has jurisdiction over broadcasting, but not over a manufacturers' design of consumer electronic equipment and consumer use of broadcast content already in possession.

And the Communications Act "does not authorize the FCC to impose on consumer electronics manufacturers an encryption technology mandate triggered by the broadcast flag," Philips said. "Manufacturers are not broadcast licensees, and the proposed broadcast flag is not a mechanism that regulates eligibility for an advanced television license, signal quality, or the way broadcasters provide ancillary or supplementary services."

Philips' work at the FCC included meetings with legal staff for various commissioners and a meeting with Commissioner Michael Copps.