Audio flags could prevent use of XM, Sirius products
If “audio flags” are pushed through the senate, it will become impossible to record and time shift satellite radio broadcasts. This will specifically effect the use of portable devices like the Sirius S50. Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro opposes the bill:
“Instead of merely replicating the broadcast flag, RIAA apparently wants to severely limit consumer use of HD Radio and satellite radio services and new products coming to market,” said Shapiro. “More, they appear to want to stop Americans from recording free over-the-air radio in their private homes for later enjoyment, no matter what device they want to use to hear lawfully acquired music.
More on the question of audio flags here.
An Audio Flag is the yet-to-be-developed radio equivalent of a broadcast flag. From wikipedia: A broadcast flag is a set of status bits (or “flags”) sent in the data stream of a digital television program that indicates whether or not it can be recorded, or if there are any restrictions on recorded content.
