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The New Congress And CE
December 21, 2006
Washington 2007
The status quo isn’t what it used to be, to paraphrase Yogi Berra. The Democratic takeover of Congress means basic assumptions change. Here are a few:
Free trade is not a given. As exemplified by the xenophobia of CNN’s Lou Dobbs and similar commentators, free trade and open international systems may come under increasing attack. Expect proposals to restrict or tax China imports under the pretense of the environment, worker rights or currency fairness.
The 2009 HDTV transition date may be challenged. Broadcasters may attempt to scare politicians by seeking to revisit everything from the transition date to the amount of money set aside for D-to-A converter boxes. Expect hearing examining whether a hard cutoff date will disenfranchise the poor and elderly.
Freedom to innovate will be under attack. This year we saw the content community fiercely attack the right to innovate, with a barrage of legislation and lawsuits. Next year will be worse. Expect the big content companies to seek new restrictions on our product’s ability to shift content in time and place and allow it to be managed.
Green. Mean. Lean. The environment will be in play. Global warming and rising fuel prices will focus on CE energy usage, especially stand-by usage. The DTV transition will mean a focus on TV set recycling. We have a two-year window for a unified national law on set recycling.
Our challenge? We have to be fast. We need the facts. Every industry leader must get involved. We have to build our PAC. If you’re not in the game, you are the game.
Posted by Gary Shapiro on December 21, 2006 | Comments (0)
