FCC postpones set-top box vote, signaling possibility of future compromise

The FCC postponed the vote on its controversial set-top box proposal, signaling that Chairman Wheeler’s current proposal lacked the votes to pass and that a proposal with greater compromise may be in the future.

The Commission initiated a rulemaking designed to give consumers alternatives to the cable and satellite companies’ set-top boxes back in February, but each of the agency’s proposals included serious, fundamental flaws. The first proposal failed to protect the privacy rights of customers, and the second included a convoluted licensing scheme that would let third-parties profit off video content without adequate compensation to the creators.

It appears the second proposal went through so many revisions that no one really knows whether it includes adequate copyright protections. One way to move forward with the FCC’s goals would be to release the Chairman’s current proposal for public comments, as Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA) has proposed.

“I reiterated that the FCC has the option of issuing a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and beginning an additional comment period, of the FCC’s choosing,” Congressman Cardena said in a meeting with Commissioner Rosenworcel, “that would allow the public and stakeholders to weigh in on this important issue that has the potential to affect so many workers and businesses.”

Links:

FCC delays vote on controversial set-top box proposal (The Verge, Sept. 29, 2016)

FCC moves to open up the set-top box market (Speed Matters, Feb. 22, 2016)

FCC reconsidering set-top box proposal (Speed Matters, June 27, 2016)

Privacy concerns remain in FCC’s new set-top box proposal (Speed Matters, Sept. 9, 2016)

Creative industry groups, unions oppose new set-top box plan (Speed Matters, Sept. 15, 2016)

Commissioner Rosenworcel objects to licensing provisions in new set-top box plan (Speed Matters, Sept. 16, 2016)