MPAA Applauds Derailment of FCC Cable Box Competition Plan Because, Uh, Jobs!
from the overlords-of-nonsense dept
Last week we noted how the FCC had to scrap its plan to bring competition to the cable box after an unprecedented PR and disinformation campaign by the cable and entertainment industries. In short, using consultants, think tanks, payrolled politicians, a soundwall of misleading editorials and even the US Copyright Office, the cable industry was able to convince many in the press, public and even at the FCC that the plan would have ripped the planet off its very orbital access, violated copyright, eroded consumer privacy, and even harmed diversity programming.In reality, the cable sector's opposition was about two things: $21 billion in captive box rental revenues, and a fear of a loss of control. Being an expert in the latter, the MPAA of course was quick to issue a statement applauding the "delay" in the FCC's proceeding:
"The MPAA is pleased that the FCC is taking more time, and we hope they use it to ensure any set-top box proposal remains consistent with copyright policy and avoids harming creators,” said MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd, who emphasized that his organization, along with “virtually the entire creative community” is “standing up for copyright and the rights of creators."Except again, the cable box plan has nothing to do with copyright. The rules would have simply required cable companies pass on their existing programming (and all DRM) to third party hardware vendors, resulting in more competition in cable boxes and ultimately more open and cheaper boxes. Because that might just give consumers a little more control, the MPAA joined the hissy fit parade of inaccurate implausibilities. And to justify trying to keep the cable box locked down and shitty, the best the MPAA can apparently do is reiterate some nonsensical talking points about jobs:
"We support the FCC’s goal of promoting set-top box competition, but we continue to urge the Commission to forge a path that does not undermine the creative economy,” Dodd continued. “Copyright employs more than 5.5 million U.S. workers and generates over $1 trillion in economic value – incentivizing innovation and investment in creative works enjoyed by millions around the world."Except the FCC's proposal wouldn't hurt jobs in the slightest. Under the FCC's plan, customers still would pay for cable, they'd just have more flexibility in how that programming is consumed. And if anything, you'd see more jobs as the cable hardware itself was opened to multiple hardware competitors and streaming vendors looking to make headway in the space. But just like their previous whining session on this subject, the MPAA can't just admit it's terrified of evolution and consumer empowerment, so it apparently has to conflate "copyright" with a loss of control.
Meanwhile, while many media outlets continue to insist this plan is simply on hold, there's really only two likely outcomes moving forward thanks to cable lobbyists, the US Copyright Office, and folks like the MPAA: either the plan gets scrapped entirely, or the end result winds up being so watered down as to be utterly useless.
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Filed Under: competition, copyright, fcc, set top boxes, stb
Companies: mpaa
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It just speeds up cord cutting
It just speeds up cord cutting.
Put the dinosaurs out of their misery faster.
The MPAA will end up wanting to sell their movies on the streaming services.
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I'm pretty sure you meant axis.
Also, 'unprecedented'? Was there something to set this hoopla aside from their previous tantrums, or is that just poetic license?
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Re: It just speeds up cord cutting
What streaming services will those be, after the cable companies have shut up shop?
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Who own what?
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But Think of the Children!
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Sharing is....
You *know* they can't give that information to third parties because it would be sharing. And sharing = PIRACY!!!
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I'm surprise they think a significant amount of the population will believe such thing, then again as they obviously own most news channels they might be able to pull another succesful misinformation campaign
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Re: Re: It just speeds up cord cutting
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Re: Re: It just speeds up cord cutting
How many cords would I need to cut per day to make that much? Do you provide the cutting tools? How is this computer based?
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Missing Words???
I think some works were left out. Should it not say, "The rules would have simply required cable companies pass on their existing programming (and all DRM) to boxes made by third party hardware vendors".
If they were required to pass it to the vendors, they would have a legitimate argument. Passing it to their customer via a box made by a third party, their argument is without foundation.
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Re: Re: NeghVar comment as signed out URL
"I dunno, maybe the cable companies are just a branch of the Ur-Quan, and by refusing to be their thralls we pissed them off and they've locked Earth behind a shield."
Star Control 2. My favorite PC game of all time
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Weird, I thought Steve Jobs was dead.
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If the MPAA were a human, it would require a legal guardian
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The Market Will Self-Correct, Right?
Can it be that, while we're locked into contracts that run for up to 18 months AND there's only one service provider due to regulatory capture, the market is too damn restricted to be able to self-correct?
If this isn't tyranny, what is it?
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