Technology innovations are great, and the advancement of the electronics industry over the past 20 years has been astounding. However, when the federal government steps in to mandate technology, typically progress comes to a halt. Such is the case with the set-top box. The cable industry has been in the process of moving away from […]
The God of Communications is Alive and Well at the FCC
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler is doing his best to emulate Mercury, the God of Communications, whose portfolio also covered commerce and transportation. (He was also known as a trickster and guided people into the Underworld.) The chairman has imposed ancient communications laws on the Internet, usurped the Federal Trade Commission’s role on […]
Copyright Office Details Problems with FCC Set-Top Box Proposal
On August 3, 2016, the Register of Copyrights sent a letter to four members of Congress, detailing potential copyright violations that could occur if the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposed rulemaking on set-top boxes is implemented, requiring multi-channel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to provide access to content, video programming guides, and subscriber data to third […]
Artists and Composers Say Digital Millennium Copyright Act Isn’t Working
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 gave copyright owners the ability to remove infringing content from the Internet by sending a takedown notice to online providers. As long as the providers promptly responded, they were assured of broad safe harbor protections from prosecution. Unfortunately, these takedown notices have not functioned as intended, due to […]
Time for a Time-Out on Set-Top Box Mandates
It is doubtful the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman thought there would be much concern about his proposed mandates on set-top box standards, which would allow third parties access to program guides and video content without needing to be licensed. Obviously, he was wrong. The proposed set-top box rules would require multi-channel video programming distributors […]
We Stand with the Competitive Enterprise Institute
Rather than tilting at windmills trying to solve problems that don’t exist, government agencies should proceed with great care before imposing technical mandates on an industry. Unfortunately, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appears to be taking a “shoot from the hip” approach to regulating, and currently has its sights set on abrogating intellectual property (IP) rights.
AllVid Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
After imposing antiquated Title II regulations on the Internet, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to take the next step in regulating every aspect of telecommunications. Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler wants to mandate technical standards for set-top boxes that will ultimately hurt consumers by stifling innovation that is already moving towards eliminating the need for these boxes entirely. Just as technology is being developed to send the set-top box the way of the dodo, the chairman and his supporters at the FCC are acting like a bunch of dodos and trying to keep them in homes across the country.
2016 IP Index Offers “Infinite Possibilities”
On February 10, 2016, the U.S Chamber of Commerce released its fourth annual IP index, Infinite Possibilities, which reviews and rates intellectual property (IP) rights and protections around the world.
IAB Report Finds IP Infringement Costs Economy Billions
There are some individuals who view intellectual property (IP), particularly movies, videos, and music as free for the taking; illegally posting and distributing content online without any regard to the impact such actions have on the creators and owners of the IP. This sad state of affairs was detailed last year in Citizens Against Government […]
The Trans-Pacific Partnership and Intellectual Property
On October 5, 2015, negotiations for the TPPA concluded and a summary of the 30 chapters of the agreement was released. Chapter 18 of the agreement specifically discusses the rights and responsibilities of each TPP member nation in protecting IP. The 12 TPPA member nations are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.