AT&T, the all-things-to-all-people communications company, has decided it can’t rely on entertainment companies for one business—pay TV—and continue to ignore piracy in another—the internet. On the eve of his Digital Hollywood appearance, James Cicconi, SVP-external and legislative affairs, told the LAT the company is working with Viacom and others on digital copyright protection: “We do recognize that a lot of our future business depends on exciting and interesting content.” AT&T execs met with some 20 entertainment tech execs at AT&T HQ in San Antonio last week. The goal, according to the LAT: a technology that would stem piracy but not violate privacy laws or internet freedoms expected by the FCC. Once they decide on the technology, they would focus on various legal issues, including privacy.

Viacom, months into its copyright lawsuit against Google and YouTube, likes AT&T’s “strong, proactive position in protecting copyrights.” No surprise there. The effort actually started with Viacom and the MPAA approaching AT&T. Equally unsurprising, public interest groups see problems.

Update: Speaking of problems, Doc Searls has a succinct message for AT&T while Dave Winer has his own suggestion.

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