After the public consultation (and the very complicated feedback form) UK telecoms regulator OFCOM has decided to allow the BBC to restrict EPG data on Freeview HD to only devices that support DRM protection.

“Ofcom has concluded that the decision to accept the BBC’s request will deliver net benefits to citizens and consumers by ensuring they have access to the widest possible range of HD television content on DTT,"

This means that devices that don’t support the correct DRM will have have access to the EPG data so it would be impossible to schedule recordings or read what is being broadcasted. Whether Windows Media Center will support this encryption is not known, last year Microsoft did say they were going to support Freeview HD but as yet we have not seem any tuner devices. There will be no recording HD shows and sycing it with another PC or a devices, once again it looks like legitimate users will get penalised and lots will turn to less legitimate sources,

Open Rights group have an interesting blog post about the decision

Restrictive technologies create two results: they rig markets, removing competition and innovative technologies; and they encourage people to find ways round them. The results will harm competition and will not further either BBC or Ofcom’s legitimate aims. But it will bring calls for more restriction once these measures fail.

More info in Ofcom’s statement and Openrights group blog

Thanks to Scott and Richard for the links

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