Any equipment that connects to, consumes, or produces content that is 
typically transmitted via any domain over which they have jurisdiction 
may be controlled to whatever extent the FCC deems appropriate.
All other equipment may be regulated to the extent necessary to ensure 
an interference-free environment for licensed equipment.

The FCC's scope is exceptionally broad, which is why they generally 
avoid regulation unless perceived as truly necessary.  The broadcast 
flag is an example of what happens when they are mislead about the 
nature and extent of a "problem" (in this case, "piracy"[copyright 
violation] of on-air digital broadcasts), and react to the 
misinformation, instead of the reality that there isn't a significant 
problem of HDTV copyright violations, and even if there was, there are 
better ways to handle it.  Besides, this new regulation really just 
prevents regular time-shifting and similar activities, all of which are 
legal, since criminals will just build a hacked box without the required 
protections, or a simple data filter to add/remove the flag in the 
incoming stream.  Getting around the broadcast flag is a clearly trivial 
exercise in data processing and electronics, but such activities would 
only be undertaken by a small minority of skilled persons, and those who 
would violate copyright.

FoulDragon@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 06.Mar.05 22:06:00 US Mountain Standard Time, 
> plug-discuss@stcaz.net writes:
>
>     They have complete authority to impose controls on equipment.
>
> Within what limits?
>  
> I can see them controlling so they can preserve the RF environment (ie 
> banning Baby's First Microwave Transmitter kit).
>  
> Whatever's done with a broadcast limit is all inside closed boxes 
> which, by and large, have no RF environment effects.  A mindset of 
> "this data needs to be parsed as we say" is a disaster waiting to happen
>  
> Let's sic the parents on this.  "If we can't record TV and analyze it, 
> how can we examine the kids shows frame by frame to certify they're 
> nipple-free?"
>  
> They already have a history of bitching to be heard.