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NCC calls for better DRM legislation

By Derek Sooman

On January 18, 2006, 2:05 PM

The UK National Consumer Council has called for new laws to better govern the use of DRM software, and has angered the entertainment industry in doing so. The NCC is making the point that consumer’s systems are being opened up to security risks due to the use of DRM software, particularly where rootkit technology has been utilised (as in the recent Sony case.) The fears of the NCC are quite founded, in my opinion – after all, these are our machines, and they don’t belong to the likes of Sony, the RIAA and the MPAA. Additionally, some DRM software applications have opened up security holes that are ripe for exploitation by malware.

Jill Johnstone, director - policy, NCC, said that thanks to the current situation, consumers are facing security risks to their equipment, limitations on the use of products, poor information when purchasing products, and unfair contract terms.
The Council aims to carry out research to find futuristic consumer issues, and to develop and make policy solutions work to foster change where required.

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User Comments: 5

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  1. I am just glad somebody stood up to the plate.
  2. It's about time. In today's capitalistic societies, consumers must move things with their buying power. Unfortunately when an entire industry conspires against the consumers rights, little can be done without a "second candidate" to support. You could argue the "second candidate" would be filesharing and copyright infringement, but these are violating the legal rights of the corporations. An eye for an eye and everyone loses depth perception. It's about time the government stepped in to protect the people.
  3. Well good for them! Of course you have to balance the powers of the government getting involved or not, the again i don't exactly know what the NCC is, or how much it is connected to the government, but good.
  4. I'm happy to hear this. Lately with all the RIAA and MPAA attacks among everything else that has been going on it seemed the world was taking a bias toward corporations. I know everyone likes a little extra money sometime, but everyone is a consumer.. while there are a limited few who have the ability to truthfully claim they are the CEO of a major corporation pulling in a hearty six figure income.We need more moves like this to level the playing field from this corporate lean I feel we are in to a more balanced environment.
  5. [b]Originally posted by asphix:[/b][quote]I'm happy to hear this. Lately with all the RIAA and MPAA attacks among everything else that has been going on it seemed the world was taking a bias toward corporations. I know everyone likes a little extra money sometime, but everyone is a consumer.. while there are a limited few who have the ability to truthfully claim they are the CEO of a major corporation pulling in a hearty six figure income.We need more moves like this to level the playing field from this corporate lean I feel we are in to a more balanced environment.[/quote]There are some corperations that are bad, not mentioning any in particular but you all kjnow who i mean, but the vast majority like Google and Samsung aren't. The RIAA really have ticked me off this year and probably will do so in the future but i hope that the NCC will do something about this if they can.

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