regulation

Bill Threatens Independent Internet Services

A blog post on abledbody.com led me to a New York Times article on H.B. 3103, the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009".  Both the blog post and NYT article gushed about what a huge boon this bill would be to the deaf community.  Unfortunately, it won't accomplish what it claims to--making internet content and new communications channels more accessible to disabled persons--and will shake the internet with a host of dangerous unintended consequences.

Though touted for its regulation of online television programming by big media, this bill also regulates small content producers, internet relay chat, instant messaging, Skype, Jingle, and other voice chat, email, and more!