[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 49 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11853-11854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5545]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the 
Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested

March 3, 2004.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not 
conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it

[[Page 11854]]

displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject 
to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a valid 
control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

DATES: Written Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments should be 
submitted on or before May 11, 2004. If you anticipate that you will be 
submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period 
of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed 
below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments to Les 
Smith, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554 or via the Internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collection(s), contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 
or via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 3060-1049.
    Title: Digital Broadcast Content Protection, MB Docket No. 02-230.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities.
    Number of Respondents: 1,520.
    Estimated Hours Per Response: 2 to 40 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirements.
    Total Annual Burden: 3,800 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: None.
    Needs and Uses: On November 4, 2003, the FCC released the Report 
and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``Order''), In the 
Matter of Digital Broadcast Content Protection, MB Docket No. 02-230, 
FCC 03-273, The Order established a redistribution control content 
protection system for digital broadcast television in order to prevent 
the widespread indiscriminate redistribution of high value digital 
broadcast content and to assure the continued availability of such 
content to broadcast outlets. The Order adopted the use of an ATSC 
flag, which can be embedded in DTV content to signal to consumer 
electronics devices to protect such content from indiscriminate 
redistribution. In order for this protection system to work, 
demodulators integrated within, or produced for use in, DTV reception 
devices, including PC and IT products, (``Covered Demodular Products'') 
must recognize and give effect to the ATSC flag pursuant to certain 
compliance and robustness rules. In particular, content that is marked 
within the ATSC flag must be handled in a protected fashion through the 
use of digital content protection and recording technologies. In order 
to ensure that digital content is being adequately protected, such 
technologies must be reviewed and approved for use. The Order 
established interim procedures by which proponents of digital content 
protection and recording technologies can certify to the Commission 
that such technologies and appropriate for use in Covered Demodulator 
Products, subject to public notice and comment.
    To facilitate enforcement and compliance, the Order adopted a 
written commitment regime whereby manufacturers or importers of ATSC 
demodulators obtain from buyers of such products a written commitment 
that they will incorporate such demodulators into compliant and robust 
devices or sell or distribute them to third parties that have also made 
such written commitment. The Order also adopted a written commitment 
regime to ensure that manufacturers or importers of Peripheral TSP 
Products (products where the demodulator and transport stream processor 
are physically separate) will abide by the Demodulator Products 
compliance and robustness rules. The interim approval process for 
digital content protection and recording technologies and the written 
commitment regime are essential components of the Commission's 
redistribution control content protection system for digital broadcast 
television. These information collections ensure objectivity and 
transparency as a part of this process.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-5545 Filed 3-11-04; 8:45 am]
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