A new legislation is making its way through the Senate that could, in effect, put a freeze on fair use. Innovators would be able to beef up that DVD player or DVR, but all new inventions could be shut down by federal regulators. The reason behind this is a switch is from “fair use” of content to “customary historic use of broadcast content by consumers to the extent such use is inconsistent with applicable law.” This puts the FCC in charge of approving new devices, in which case MPAA and RIAA lobbyists could work their muscle and get new technologies banned without ever having to worry about fair use arguments. Read the article at EFF and write to your Senator if you feel led.