iMedia Law Blog » FCC

TiVo Continues to Fight the Good Cablecard/Ingegration Ban Fight

Dale Dietrich — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:31:48 +0000

More than ten years ago, Congress passed an act requiring cable companies to adopt the CableCard technology. The FCC has promulgated C.F.R. 76.1204(a)(1), requiring cable operators to implement CableCard technology into their set-top boxes. After failing in their court challenges to invalidate the law/rules, the cable industry has repeatedly asked for, and been given, extensions to deadline. Last year, the FCC mandated a final deadline of July 1, 2007 once and for all. In keeping with their stalling tactics, Charter, Verizon, Comcast and the NCTA have, again, requested varying waivers from this mandate. Since TiVo's Series 3 product relies on the cablecard standard, TiVo opposes these waiver petitions and is lobbying hard to thwart these requests so as to to firmly establish the Cablecard standard. I, for one, support TiVo whole-heartedly. Enough is enough.

Sources: Engadget | ZatzNotFunny.com | TiVo's Oct. 13 Letter to the FCC | Gizmodo

Discussed here: TiVoCommunity

Related Posts:

FCC Chairman Declares No More Blanket CableCARD Waivers (January 12, 2007)
TiVo Continues to Fight the Good CableCARD/Integration Ban Fight (October 19, 2006)
CableCARD Primer (February 6, 2006)
Microsoft and Cablelabs Agree on CableCARD Integration into Windows Media Center (November 16, 2006)
FCC Releases 12th Annual Report on the Status of Competition in the Video Programming Market (March 3, 2006)

US TV Networks Appeal After $4m FCC Indecency Clampdown

Dale Dietrich — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 00:45:28 +0000

ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, together with their affiliate groups and the Hearst-Argyle Television group of stations, have filed appeals in various federal courts challenging the FCC’s indecency standards and put out a statement this week to say so, decrying the record $4m of FCC fines made during the course of last month.

Sources: New York Times | The Register | First Amendment Center | Jurist

FCC Releases 12th Annual Report on the Status of Competition in the Video Programming Market

Dale Dietrich — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 20:14:21 +0000

Text of 12th Annual Report

This annual report is a comprehensive overview of competition in the cable, satellite, OTA, wireless and related markets. If you want a solid overview of the regulatory environment for these industries, this report is a terrific place to start.

Coverage: WJLA ABC 7 News | The State Cathy Kirkman | Feb 10, 2006 FCC Press Release [.doc]

Related Posts:

FCC Chairman Declares No More Blanket CableCARD Waivers (January 12, 2007)
TiVo Continues to Fight the Good CableCARD/Integration Ban Fight (October 19, 2006)
CableCARD Primer (February 6, 2006)
Microsoft and Cablelabs Agree on CableCARD Integration into Windows Media Center (November 16, 2006)
FCC Releases 12th Annual Report on the Status of Competition in the Video Programming Market (March 3, 2006)

‘V-Chip 2.0′ Turns On In March

Dale Dietrich — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:35:10 +0000

Beginning on March 15, the FCC says it will require all new products with digital television receivers – including TVs, video recorders and set-top boxes – to incorporate parental control capabilities by way of a new “open” version of the V-chip that can be reprogrammed to adapt to changing standards.

Sources: PC Magazine | ABC News | Engadget

FCC Modifies Digital Tuner Requirements to Advance DTV Transition

Dale Dietrich — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 23:46:55 +0000

Text of Second Report and Order
Text of FCC Press Release
The FCC amended its rules to move the date on which all TV receivers must include the capability to receive digital television signals forward four months to March 1, 2007 and to apply the tuner requirement to all television receivers, regardless of their size.

Source: DTV Design Line

Related Posts:

Bush Signs Digital TV Transition Bill – Setting February 17, 2009 Deadline (February 8, 2006)
Broadcasters to Move to Digital Television by February 17, 2009 Under Senate Bill (December 21, 2005)
U.S. Digital Switchover on Feb 17, 2009? (December 19, 2005)
FCC modifies Digital Tuner requirements to advance DTV transition (November 3, 2005)
House Approves All-Digital OTA Deadline by 2008 (October 27, 2005)

FCC ignores MPAA, NFL; OK’s new TiVoGuard

Dale Dietrich — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 21:47:55 +0000

In a 5-0 vote, the commission said TiVoGuard and the other copyright control technologies approved Wednesday adhere to the “broadcast flag” copyright protection regulations the FCC approved last year.

Source: Hollywood Reporter