Prof. Felton points out that some new legislation being proposed in Congress to close the so-called “analog hole” for Hollywood and the RIAA includes provisions that are secret, and which can only be reviewed if you pay $10K and agree not to disclose what you find. In other words, the MPAA/RIAA are proposing secret laws. Um, NO. Prof. Felton:

The details of this technology are important for evaluating this bill. How much would the proposed law increase the cost of televisions? How much would it limit the future development of TV technology? How likely is the technology to mistakenly block authorized copying? How adaptable is the technology to the future? All of these questions are important in debating the bill. And none of them can be answered if the technology part of the bill is secret. Which brings us to the most interesting question of all: Are the members of Congress themselves, and their staffers, allowed to see the spec and talk about it openly? Are they allowed to consult experts for advice? Or are the full contents of this bill secret even from the lawmakers who are considering it?