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Hdtv Communications Law Intellectual Property
What is HDTV?
High-Definition Television (HDTV) produces a much clearer picture than analog TV because digital signals can carry much more information than analog signals.
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Digital Televisions Communications Law Intellectual Property
What is digital television?
Digital television is a new method of transmitting broadcast television signals.
Prior to 1997, all television signals were transmitted using an analog method, similar to the technology used for cassette tapes. In 1997, the FCC permitted television broadcasters to acquire additional spectrum to allow them to transition their signals to broadcasting using a digital method, similar to the technology used for compact disks.
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Broadcast License Communications Law Intellectual Property
How are broadcast licenses transferred?
The FCC has specific regulations dealing with assigning or transferring a broadcast license, including placing each proposed sale on public notice to allow the public a chance to comment on the qualifications of the buyer and the seller. For more information on broadcast license transactions, see the FCC website, http://www.fcc.gov.
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Broadcast Lincense Application Communications Law Intellectual Property
Can I apply for a broadcast license?
The recent advent of digital broadcasting caused the FCC to “freeze” acceptance of new applications. Applications for new television and commercial radio licenses are not now being accepted. However, existing licenses may be bought and sold.
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Television Regulated Radio Communications Law Intellectual Property
How is broadcast television and radio regulated?
In order to broadcast radio or TV signals within the United States, it is necessary to first obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Although there are some exceptions for very low power radio transmitters, such as those in CB radios and walkie-talkies, transmitters whose signal can travel distances (even “ham” radio) must be licensed and comply with FCC rules. Full power television and radio stations also must receive licenses from the FCC.
Because radio frequencies can travel long distances, particularly at night, they are licensed according to geography and common ownership rules. The FCC has specific rules preventing stations from interfering with the signals of other stations. For example. if there is one station broadcasting at 880 on the AM dial from New York, no other station within over a 1,000 or more miles can use that frequency. As available spectrum is limited, only a limited number of licenses can be issued. As a result, broadcast licenses have huge value, particularly in major metropolitan markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Atlanta, and Washington/Baltimore.
Additionally, to encourage a diversity of viewpoints by media sources, the FCC limits entities from acquiring more than a certain number of stations nationally, or in each market. These broadcast limits were relaxed by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and that has stoked broadcast mergers and acquisitions.
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New Television Communications Law Intellectual Property
Am I going to have to buy a new television?
Although you would have to buy a new television to receive Digital television signals over-the-air, you’ll be able to use your existing TV sets for years as broadcasters have committed to not phasing out analog broadcasting for approximately ten years.
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Broadcasters Hdtv Communications Law Intellectual Property
Must TV broadcasters use HDTV?
No. TV station operators will, for a time, be able to broadcast HDTV or use the digital technology to “multicast”. That means they can broadcast more than one standard definition television signal (e.g. normal NBC programming plus CNBC and MSNBC). The FCC and the broadcasters are still determining how this additional capacity will be used, but at least some digital television will soon be available in major markets. Additionally, the Gore Commission is currently determining whether broadcasters will have to provide additional public interest benefits, and what they may be, in exchange for receiving the digital spectrum free-of-charge.
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Content Distribution Communications Law Intellectual Property
How is content distributed?
There are five main avenues to distribute content. Each have their own specific issues.
(1) Broadcast: Free over-the-air Television and Radio.
(2) Cable Television: Subscription-based broadcasting services including Direct Broadcast Satellite Television and Wireless Cable.
(3) Common Carrier: Telephony, both wireline and wireless.
(4) Print publications: Newspapers, books, magazines, etc.
(5) Internet: We will use a separate category for this because although Internet service has many of the characteristics of each of the other distribution methods, it is undeniably a new medium.
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Content Conflicts Communications Law Intellectual Property
What are the common problems arising from content?
Common problems arising from creation of content include:
(1) copyright: If you believe that someone has stolen or misappropriated a story or an expression of an idea that you created.
(2) libel/slander: If you believe that someone has made, or is making, false claims about you or your business.
(3) patents: If you believe someone has used your idea for an invention.
(4) trademark: If you believe that someone is using an identifying mark or symbol that you created.
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Content Definition Communications Law Intellectual Property
What is content?
Content is the information that is being distributed. A book, a magazine article, and the information on this website, http://www.FreeAdvice.com, are all content.
Content may be distributed by more than one method. If an author writes a novel, it may be distributed as a hard-cover book, a soft-cover book and/or a “book-on-tape.” It may even be converted to a screenplay and filmed for distribution as a television mini-series or a feature motion picture. But through all these different distribution methods, the content — the underlying story — remains the same.
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