Talks on a treaty updating broadcasting protections against signal piracy resume next month in the World Intellectual Property Organization but, to broadcasters' disappointment, there's no date for a diplomatic conference, European Broadcasting Union Head-Intellectual Property Heijo Ruijsenaars told us. The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) has been negotiating the treaty for years, but agreement on several key issues remains elusive, he and other participants said.

Talks on a treaty updating broadcasting protections against signal piracy resume next month in the World Intellectual Property Organization but, to broadcasters' disappointment, there's no date for a diplomatic conference, European Broadcasting Union Head-Intellectual Property Heijo Ruijsenaars told us. The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) has been negotiating the treaty for years, but agreement on several key issues remains elusive, he and other participants said.

The FCC plans Nov. 16 votes on media ownership and ATSC 3.0, as expected, (see 1710250049), and wireless and wireline infrastructure and cable items, Chairman Ajit Pai blogged, although drafts of the items have not yet been issued. Commissioners also will vote, as expected (see 1710100063), on the next phase of the FCC's spectrum frontiers initiative, setting aside high-frequency spectrum for 5G. The order would make available another 1,700 MHz of high-frequency spectrum “for flexible terrestrial wireless use while providing 4 gigahertz for core satellite use,” Pai said. The FCC approved the first order under ex-Chairman Tom Wheeler in July 2016 (see 1607140052).

The House Communications Subcommittee's Wednesday FCC oversight hearing featured a sometimes contentious exchange over President Donald Trump's recent comments threatening to challenge NBC licenses, criticism of recent FCC actions that could affect Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune, and discussion about a mix of lower-temperature issues, as expected (see 1710240065). FCC Chairman Ajit Pai again repeated his commitment to the First Amendment without specifically citing the president. Pai invoked the controversy to announce the details of media ownership reconsideration order that he plans to publish Thursday (see 1710250037 and 1710250049). "If you believe as I do that the federal government has no business intervening in the news, then we must stop the federal government from intervening in the news business" via the order, he said.

The House Communications Subcommittee's Wednesday FCC oversight hearing featured a sometimes contentious exchange over President Donald Trump's recent comments threatening to challenge NBC licenses, criticism of recent FCC actions that could affect Sinclair's proposed buy of Tribune, and discussion about a mix of lower-temperature issues, as expected (see 1710240065). FCC Chairman Ajit Pai again repeated his commitment to the First Amendment without specifically citing the president. Pai invoked the controversy to announce the details of media ownership reconsideration order that he plans to publish Thursday (see 1710250037 and 1710250049). "If you believe as I do that the federal government has no business intervening in the news, then we must stop the federal government from intervening in the news business" via the order, he said.

Wireline-only telcos face fierce market pressures, with some struggling to survive financially and others adapting better though still challenged long term, analysts and consultants told us. The telcos continue to lose phone customers to mobile and VoIP competitors; wireline broadband is seen as inferior to cable broadband in most of the mass market; and 5G wireless is a coming threat. "It’s really a two-front war" against cable and wireless, and the outcome "may not be consistent with current debt and dividend loads,” said ex-FCC staffer Paul de Sa, Quadra Partners consultant: It's like "fighting in Europe and Asia at the same time.”

Wireline-only telcos face fierce market pressures, with some struggling to survive financially and others adapting better though still challenged long term, analysts and consultants told us. The telcos continue to lose phone customers to mobile and VoIP competitors; wireline broadband is seen as inferior to cable broadband in most of the mass market; and 5G wireless is a coming threat. "It’s really a two-front war" against cable and wireless, and the outcome "may not be consistent with current debt and dividend loads,” said ex-FCC staffer Paul de Sa, Quadra Partners consultant: It's like "fighting in Europe and Asia at the same time.”

CBP should update its regulations to give more details about the processing of forced labor allegations under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in an opening statement at an Oct. 24 hearing on the nomination of Kevin McAleenan for CBP commissioner. The Committee's ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also sought clarity on the forced labor regulations. McAleenan said "we want to make sure we are able to apply all effective enforcement tools in the most precise and appropriate manner to this priority mission."

VidAngel is trying to buy time with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize around its new, streaming-centric business model (see 1710190046), but there's no consensus among copyright experts on whether that new business model will fare better in court because it's not clear how the streaming model operates. VidAngel General Counsel David Quinto told us the streaming service does result in some technical violations of exclusive rights, but it doesn't cause any actual harm to copyright owners and ultimately benefits consumers. "The fair use argument is very, very strong," he said.

VidAngel is trying to buy time with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize around its new, streaming-centric business model (see 1710190046), but there's no consensus among copyright experts on whether that new business model will fare better in court because it's not clear how the streaming model operates. VidAngel General Counsel David Quinto told us the streaming service does result in some technical violations of exclusive rights, but it doesn't cause any actual harm to copyright owners and ultimately benefits consumers. "The fair use argument is very, very strong," he said.