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FCC OKs Set-Top Box Outlet Blocking

AP, Monday, May 10, 2010 10:42 PM

Federal regulators are endorsing Hollywood's efforts to let cable and satellite TV companies turn off output connections on the back of set-top boxes to prevent illegal copying of movies. The decision by the Federal Communications Commission, announced late Friday, is intended to encourage studios to make movies available for home viewing on demand soon after they hit theaters or even at the same time.

Bob Pisano, head of the Motion Picture Association of America, said the FCC's action will give consumers "far greater access to see recent high-definition movies in their homes." But critics warned the blocking technology could prohibit legal recordings on some video recorders and other devices with analog connections. The Consumer Electronics Association stated: "The fact that the motion picture studios want to create a new business model does not mean that functioning products should be disabled by them."

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regulation, television

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