The Nation - News from Aug. 4, 1987

A House panel approved legislation to restrict for one year imports of digital audio tape recorders without an anti-taping chip to prevent home taping of prerecorded material. The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee also voted to give the commerce secretary authority to suspend the restriction if a government study finds that the chips degrade sound quality. The measure, approved on a voice vote, was sent to the full committee. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate.