NBC recently filed a proposal to have the FCC regulate file-sharing applications. Now, consumer groups are outraged at the proposal that would essentially control what programs are used on PCs. Digital Journal TV talks to NBC and consumer groups.
Digital Journal - If NBC gets its way, the FCC would not only be able to regulate content that flows through the Internet via file-sharing applications, but the applications themselves.
In a filing made to the FCC (opens in PDF), NBC says ISPs should use mandatory content filters as a way to be more proactive about filtering copyrighted content from networks.
In an argument that consumer groups label "absurd," NBC says a world without piracy would mean more people would watch movies in theatres, resulting in more sales of popcorn which would then boost the sales of field corn and farming equipment.
Outraged at NBC's proposal, critics and consumer advocacy groups have filed
a reply to NBC's proposal (opens in PDF), saying such filters would stifle fair use and essentially give the FCC the power to set Internet technology policy.
In an interview with Digital Journal, Rick Cotton, executive vice-president of NBC Universal, said, "The Internet produces enormous capabilities in terms of accessing information and entertainment, and the tech community has solved problems of virus protection and security issues. So in the same way, technology shouldn't suddenly become dumb, stupid and blind when comes to addressing the epidemic of the wholesale redistribution of copyrighted material."
NBC says regulation of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks would benefit everyone, and Cotton says the filing to the FCC is intended to merely highlight the situation rather than impose restrictions.
"The point of the filing is to make a general point -- that the problem ought to be looked at, solutions ought to be a matter of discussion and ought to be tailored to the problem," Cotton said.
But critics think NBC is merely using eloquent wording to guise its true intent: protecting profits and killing file-sharing applications.
"The epidemic of counterfeiting and piracy across all sectors of the U.S. economy runs into hundreds of billions dollars and has an enormous impact on the economic future of the country," said Cotton.
No matter the argument NBC puts forth, however, advocacy groups aren't buying it, saying it's all about government control of freedom on the Internet.
In this special Digital Journal TV investigation,
Chris Hogg and
David Silverberg look at what NBC's filing could mean if it gets adopted by the FCC; how it could hurt
legal content that flows across the Internet; and why consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge wants the filing thrown out.
Note: Based on the enormous popularity of the "bloopers" in our previous video, Digital Journal has decided to show you a bit more of the behind-the-scenes filming of this week's TV segment. Stay tuned until the credits to see the Chris and Dave struggle to remember the script.
