A lengthy list of retransmission consent practices, from broadcasters ceding negotiating rights to tying arrangements, could be up for examination if FCC commissioners sign off on a draft NPRM circulated last week (see 1508120051), an informed person said.

The FCC will launch a proceeding by the end of the year looking at a recent agreement between NAB and white spaces device manufacturers on revised rules for the white spaces data base, the FCC said in a footnote of its Part 15 order released Tuesday. The various items approved by the FCC last week and released Tuesday shed new light on the FCC majority's thinking as it worked through a number of key decisions on the TV incentive auction, now expected to start March 29. Throughout, the FCC explains it faced a tough balancing act as it drew up rules for the auction.

The FCC will launch a proceeding by the end of the year looking at a recent agreement between NAB and white spaces device manufacturers on revised rules for the white spaces data base, the FCC said in a footnote of its Part 15 order released Tuesday. The various items approved by the FCC last week and released Tuesday shed new light on the FCC majority's thinking as it worked through a number of key decisions on the TV incentive auction, now expected to start March 29. Throughout, the FCC explains it faced a tough balancing act as it drew up rules for the auction.

The FCC will launch a proceeding by the end of the year looking at a recent agreement between NAB and white spaces device manufacturers on revised rules for the white spaces data base, the FCC said in a footnote of its Part 15 order released Tuesday. The various items approved by the FCC last week and released Tuesday shed new light on the FCC majority's thinking as it worked through a number of key decisions on the TV incentive auction, now expected to start March 29. Throughout, the FCC explains it faced a tough balancing act as it drew up rules for the auction.

Harvard Law School professor Larry Lessig, an active voice in tech policy, is weighing a run for the Democratic nomination for president. “Today we've launched a kickstarter-like campaign, to raise the funds necessary to make a run plausible,” Lessig said in a Huffington Post column Tuesday. “If we hit our target of $1 million by Labor Day, then I will give this run every ounce of my energy.” His campaign would prioritize campaign finance overhaul, as he highlights on his 2016 website. “President [Barack] Obama should get Congress to shut down the FCC and similar vestigial regulators,” Lessig proposed in a December 2008 column for Newsweek. He has backed the net neutrality protections of the FCC under Title II of the Communications Act. “Title-II-light is the right regulatory home,” Lessig said in a different Huffington Post piece in February, lauding the White House for its advocacy and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for his interpretation of the statute. “Unlike the old days with utility regulation, the FCC will not regulate rates, or impose tariffs, or undue administrative burdens.”

Harvard Law School professor Larry Lessig, an active voice in tech policy, is weighing a run for the Democratic nomination for president. “Today we've launched a kickstarter-like campaign, to raise the funds necessary to make a run plausible,” Lessig said in a Huffington Post column Tuesday. “If we hit our target of $1 million by Labor Day, then I will give this run every ounce of my energy.” His campaign would prioritize campaign finance overhaul, as he highlights on his 2016 website. “President [Barack] Obama should get Congress to shut down the FCC and similar vestigial regulators,” Lessig proposed in a December 2008 column for Newsweek. He has backed the net neutrality protections of the FCC under Title II of the Communications Act. “Title-II-light is the right regulatory home,” Lessig said in a different Huffington Post piece in February, lauding the White House for its advocacy and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler for his interpretation of the statute. “Unlike the old days with utility regulation, the FCC will not regulate rates, or impose tariffs, or undue administrative burdens.”

Congress may face obstacles in tackling video policy in the months ahead, lawmakers in both chambers told us before departing for their monthlong August recess. They cautioned that certain high-profile pieces of video legislation may not advance, with one main exception a bill that would grandfather in broadcaster joint sales agreements formed before a 2014 FCC action limiting them. But several members of Congress agreed that video remains a priority to be addressed one way or another and at least one member plans to revive a high-profile video overhaul.

Congress may face obstacles in tackling video policy in the months ahead, lawmakers in both chambers told us before departing for their monthlong August recess. They cautioned that certain high-profile pieces of video legislation may not advance, with one main exception a bill that would grandfather in broadcaster joint sales agreements formed before a 2014 FCC action limiting them. But several members of Congress agreed that video remains a priority to be addressed one way or another and at least one member plans to revive a high-profile video overhaul.

House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., lauded the actions the FCC took at its meeting Thursday. “This week the FCC took a series of important steps to free up valuable spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use; ensure access to 9-1-1 during power outages; and advance our country’s transition to an all-IP world in which competition, public safety and consumer protection are preserved,” she said in a statement Friday. “In preparing for the world’s first voluntary incentive auction, I commend the Commission for strengthening wireless competition and expanding the nationwide availability of unlicensed spectrum. Ultimately, success of this auction should be measured not just by the revenue raised but by achieving these core policy goals embedded in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.”

House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., lauded the actions the FCC took at its meeting Thursday. “This week the FCC took a series of important steps to free up valuable spectrum for licensed and unlicensed use; ensure access to 9-1-1 during power outages; and advance our country’s transition to an all-IP world in which competition, public safety and consumer protection are preserved,” she said in a statement Friday. “In preparing for the world’s first voluntary incentive auction, I commend the Commission for strengthening wireless competition and expanding the nationwide availability of unlicensed spectrum. Ultimately, success of this auction should be measured not just by the revenue raised but by achieving these core policy goals embedded in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.”