Re: [d@DCC] Re: More research on Bill C-2: DVD players interfer with military

From: Christophe Beauregard <christophe.beauregard _-at-_ sympatico.ca>
To: General Discussion <discuss (at) digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 18:24:45 -0400
References: <Pine.LNX.4.44.0405041352190.344-100000@calcutta.flora.ca>

On Tuesday 04 May 2004 14:15, Russell McOrmond wrote:

>   Mr. Thiessen seemed to be looking for a simple answer to a complex
> problem.  His belief is that if they got rid of infringing devices that
> they would get rid of the interference.  I do not agree and see this bill
> as having considerable unintended consequences.  The import, sale and/or
> use of devices which interfere with other signals is already against the
> law and I do not see how this bill can possibly help that situation.
>
>   I believe I opened up dialog with Mr. Thiessen and that considerable
> opportunity for us to all work together is there.  I focused my
> presentation of unintended consequences of existing bill, of focusing on
> technological rather than legislative solutions, and how legislative
> solutions will tend to stifle advancement of technological solutions.

"simple answer to a complex problem", "unintended consequences", 
"technological rather than legislative solutions"...

For some reason, I keep drawing comparisons to this issue and Ed Felten's 
recent commentary on the FCC broadcast flag 
(http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/), legislating technological stopgaps, 
etc. In his most recent entry, he discusses how the FCC is passing a lousy 
law to prop up their most important constituents.

Is Mr. Thiessen able to provide any real numbers on this stuff? For example, 
out of the estimated 700,000 installed black and grey market devices in 
Canada, how many have been found with unacceptable emission levels? So far, 
I count approx 30, and I'm pretty sure if this was all that common they'd 
have a lot more examples to parade on their web site. How does that compare 
to, say, white box computers, automotive  remote ignition systems, or 
<insert random consumer radio device>?

c.

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