By using a class-action suit to create a new market, unconnected to allegations of wrongdoing, Google’s amended settlement with the Association of American Publishers and Authors Guild still has the “core problem” the Justice Department previously identified, Justice told U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in New York late Thursday. But it identified several “safeguards” Chin could apply to mitigate the problems in the deal and get the department’s tacit approval -- foremost among them, converting the settlement to an “opt-in” system for rightsholders. Critics of the deal cheered Justice’s filing and its claim that Google would have a practically insurmountable lead in digital books if the deal were approved.
Comcast and NBC Universal executives assured Congress joining forces won’t hurt consumers or competition. The companies faced the House Communications Subcommittee 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, and the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee beginning at 2:30 p.m. In the House, Democratic members expressed concerns about the deal’s effect on prices, competitors to Comcast and NBC, and network neutrality. Republicans generally showed more support for the deal, as was expected (CD Feb 4 p1). Senators from both parties raised red flags in the afternoon.
Comcast and NBC Universal executives assured Congress Thursday that joining forces won’t hurt consumers or competition.
Comcast and NBC Universal executives assured Congress that joining forces won’t hurt consumers or competition. The companies faced the House Communications Subcommittee 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, and the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee beginning at 2:30 p.m. In the House, Democratic members expressed concerns about the deal’s effect on prices, competitors to Comcast and NBC, and network neutrality. Republicans generally showed more support for the deal. Senators from both parties raised red flags in the afternoon.
A union, two media diversity groups and a small cable channel want U.S. regulators to block Comcast’s proposed purchase of control of NBC Universal. Concern over preventing broadcast and cable programming from being more widely distributed online is a key factor in the opposition, representatives told reporters Wednesday as some previewed their testimony on Capitol Hill. Comcast said the “nascent” market for online video is “highly competitive” and FCC officials said the agency is just beginning its review.
A union, two media diversity groups and a small cable channel want U.S. regulators to block Comcast’s proposed purchase of control of NBC Universal. Concern over preventing broadcast and cable programming from being more widely distributed online is a key factor in the opposition, representatives told reporters Wednesday as some previewed their testimony on Capitol Hill. Comcast said the “nascent” market for online video is “highly competitive” and FCC officials said the agency is just beginning its review.
The NTIA and the FCC would work together on a plan to make more spectrum available, under President Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal 2011. A big surprise in the budget, released Monday, was its call for the elimination of the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF), a program that has traditionally had the strong support of important Democratic constituencies including the Congressional Black Caucus. The proposed budget also would cut two programs that helped support public broadcasters’ transition to digital.
A dispute in Maine illustrates a wider conflict over Section 271 of the 1996 Communications Act, officials said. The Maine case pits FairPoint Communications against competitive local exchange carrier Great Works Internet in a fight over interconnection rates for dark fiber loops. Filings by the companies to the Maine Public Utilities Commission prompted the commission to ask the FCC for a declaratory ruling on carriers’ Section 271 duties. The FCC seeks comments by March 1, replies by March 15.
The recording industry wants to protect children and parents from punitive infringement lawsuits, while the tech advocacy community wants to leave them vulnerable. That was a conclusion at the State of the Net conference in Washington Wednesday on a panel about graduated-response systems under development in the U.K. and France, and how they might face implementation problems under U.S. law. The Internet access cutoff protocol, known as “three strikes,” is a “far more effective and one might say kinder and gentler approach” than the end-user lawsuits the RIAA started wrapping up a year ago, said Shira Perlmutter, executive vice president of global legal policy for the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.