Ears On

Here are some fun facts about VEIL, one of the technologies underlying the Digital Transition Content Security Act of 2005—better known as the Analog Hole Bill:

VEIL was developed by Veil Interactive.

Under the proposed law, it would work in conjunction with CGMS-A, the Copy Generation Management System, better known as the broadcast flag.

VEIL originated as a watermarking technology that allowed TVs to send signals to VEIL-activated toys.

Past watermarks, such as those used in SDMI, the long-dead Secure Music Defense Initiative, have proven to be easily removable.

The developers are therefore calling VEIL a Rights Assertion Mark instead.

VEIL stands for Video Encoded Invisible light.

When test subjects were asked if they could detect VEIL onscreen, 29 percent found a "perceptible difference," so perhaps "invisible" may not be the most precise description. The Analog Hole Bill is currently being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee. Is one of your senators involved?