Valenti sets day to end studios-digital TV flap

Tech can limit number of copies made of programs

By CHRISTOPHER STERN

WASHINGTON -- Motion Picture Assn. of America topper Jack Valenti has told the FCC that he hopes to resolve differences between movie studios and makers of digital TV sets over copyright protection by Aug. 1.

The letter comes just two weeks after Federal Communications Commission chairman Bill Kennard chastised the MPAA for dragging its feet on a digital TV copyright agreement. But Valenti told Kennard in a Wednesday letter that the major studios would hold weekly meetings with TV makers in an effort to hammer out differences by Aug.1.

MPAA is satisfied that the technology developed by the consumer electronics companies effectively will block pirates from making perfect copies of digitally delivered broadcast and cable programming. But the association objects to the consumer electronics companies' efforts to control the terms and conditions of the copyright.

Copy conflict

The copyright technology will allow televisions to distinguish between different types of programming. For instance, sets could be programmed to allow consumers to make numerous copies of broadcast television and just one copy of a movie offered by HBO. The trade org said the companies who own the content, not the companies that display it, should decide how many copies should be made of a particular class of programming.

If the two sides can resolve the agreement, it would remove a major hurdle for digital televisions. Although the sets cost more than $5,000, the current generation of high-definition televisions cannot be hooked up to digital cable systems. Even broadcasters expect that cable will provide much of the distribution for their new digital signals.