Berlin’s successful cutoff of the analog TV service in Aug. 2003 was a key case history for the House Commerce Committee as it compiled its recently released draft legislation setting Dec. 31, 2008, as a hard DTV deadline in the U.S. But a House Telecom Subcommittee hearing on the draft last Thurs. (CD May 27 p1) revealed that Berlin’s smooth imposition of tuner subsidies for low- income families would likely prove a tough act to follow here. Judging from that hearing, it also may represent a make-or-break issue in how DTV legislation advances through Congress.

Berlin’s successful cutoff of the analog TV service in Aug. 2003 was a key case history for the House Commerce Committee as it compiled its recently released draft legislation setting Dec. 31, 2008, as a hard DTV deadline in the U.S. But a House Telecom Subcommittee hearing on the draft last Thurs. (CED May 27 p1) revealed that Berlin’s smooth imposition of tuner subsidies for low- income families would likely prove a tough act to follow here. Judging from that hearing, it also may represent a make-or-break issue in how DTV legislation advances through Congress.

According to sources, the House Ways and Means Committee is in the process of developing legislation to correct certain problems caused by the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004 that have been identified by the International Trade Commission (ITC). Sources state that this technical correction bill, which has not yet been introduced, is separate from the new Miscellaneous Trade Bill that the House Ways and Means Committee is developing.

Nintendo said Thurs. revenue from strong sales of its DS dual-screen handheld game system “more than offset” declines in sales of its GameCube console and Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld system, as well as “an unfavorable exchange rate for dollar-based sales” in the fiscal year ended March 31. The company said through March 31 it globally shipped a total of 5.2 million Nintendo DS units -- “far eclipsing initial estimates of 3.5 million.” But it wasn’t clear Thurs. how many DS units sold through to consumers.

FCC Comr. Adelstein restated the need for reform of govt. video news releases (VNRs) and “covert” commercial pitches. Speaking at a Media Institute lunch, Adelstein also attacked undisclosed product placements that look like ads. “My preferred outcome is that this scrutiny results in compliance with the rules, not in us catching violations. That is why I am here today to sound the alarm to you, as well,” Adelstein said.

Comments filed Mon. in the FCC’s massive intercarrier compensation (ICC) proceeding drew the same strong disagreement that has marked the proceeding since it began several years ago. The FCC has proposed moving to a “unified” system for the various carrier charges in the industry today and encouraged industry, consumer advocates and others to develop joint plans for how to do that.

The FCC is expected at its June 9 meeting to act on petitions seeking reconsideration of the Commission’s Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) order, according to sources. It’s also expected to launch an NPRM seeking comment on how the FCC should change its competitive bidding rules to comply with the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act.

After emotional testimony from victims of VoIP- related 911 glitches, the FCC Thurs. ordered VoIP providers to give customers full E-911 service within 120 days. E-911, or enhanced 911, means a 911 caller’s location is transmitted and can be viewed by emergency dispatchers on a screen.

Intellectual property (IP) rights infringement litigation against China at international and multilateral levels could begin in as little as 6 months, depending on the outcome of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) talks with industry and trading partners, a House Judiciary panel heard Tues. That prediction came after lawmakers pressed Victoria Espinel, acting asst. USTR for IP, for a time frame in which the U.S. would consider pursuing World Trade Organization (WTO) action against the Chinese govt. WTO cases can take 2 years to initiate, she said.

The FCC reopened public comment Fri. on 6 petitions seeking preemption of state telemarketing laws. The Commission wants information on new developments, including new petitions and several state bills that would apply to interstate telemarketing calls. At the same time, the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau asked for comments on 2 petitions that raise questions of FCC jurisdiction and preemption authority under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). In one of the new petitions, 33 organizations asked the FCC to rule that it has exclusive regulatory jurisdiction over interstate telemarketing calls, barring state regulation. The other, by a Cal. resident, asks the FCC to declare that the federal TCPA doesn’t preempt provisions of the Cal. Consumer Legal Remedies Act applying to interstate telephone calls. All comments will be due 30 days after the public notices (all in CG Doc. 02-278) appear in the Federal Register.