Can the new "Ethernet" version HDMI cables be used on current TV's and blu-ray players?

I chatted with Samsung and they said "no" because of compatibility issues. Yet, there's no devices available yet, except their 2011 TV's, with the ethernet hdmi, and almost everthing in the stores are "HDMI ethernet" cables! I don't want to open the package until I know, and obviously it seems the Samsung rep may be mis-informed.