Well, even the newest TV cards aren't going to be flagging content as protected for some time. And TV transmitters can't really change this - not without changing everyone else's hardware as well.
I'm interested to see how this DRM stuff is going to play out, actually. Already, there are concerns within the UK that DRM is going too far: there are plans in the works to update copyright legislation. At the moment it could go either way - I suspect that provisions will be brought in to prevent people from bypassing content protection, but that will likely come at a cost (for the producers) of reducing the level of restrictions.
http://www.apig.org.uk/current-activ...anagement.html Quote:
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A recommendation that OFCOM publish guidance to make it clear that companies distributing Technical Protection Measures systems in the UK would, if they have features such as those in Sony-BMG’s MediaMax and XCP systems, run a significant risk of being prosecuted for criminal actions.
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=D
The European Parliament (or some equally aloof European organisation) has issued directives requiring member states to introduce legal protection for DRM, but as far as I'm aware, very few states have been willing to actually do this. France has passed a law to this effect (though not signed it yet), but with the provision that DRM technologies must be interoperable. This makes France the most likely country to take a major stand; from what I've read in that report, much of Vista's protection system will already be illegal. Apple only were recently (very narrowly) permitted to continue selling music through their iTunes store: the French didn't like the fact that it would only play on iPods and not their competitors' music players. This case is continuing with the likely result that Apple will have to change their system for the French.
Furthermore, the French have introduced a clause that permits one to copy copyrighted works to immediate family members and close friends without the permission of the copyright holder. Restricting this will be a further offence. It looks to me like the French have the right idea.