Hollywood Reacts to FCC Decision to Delay Changes to Cable Set-Top Boxes
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) have voiced their support for the delayed vote, both raising concerns over the rights of television and film creators.
The set-top box proposal was pushed back after federal regulators failed to reach a consensus over the exact details of the plan.
The delay came after commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel raised worries over copyright infringement that TV programmers could potentially face, saying in a congressional hearing this month that the FCC may be overstepping its bounds by enforcing such a plan.
“We are still working to resolve the remaining technical and legal issues and we are committed to unlocking the set-top box for consumers across this country,” Rosenworcel said in a joint statement along with two other Democratic commissioners on Thursday.
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.
“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.
A statement issued by the DGA on Thursday echoed Dodd’s thoughts: The Directors Guild of America was pleased to learn that the FCC has decided to delay consideration of the set-top box proposal.