Online Video Distributors An Exploration of Legal and Regulatory Issues

Digital and Internet protocol technologies have spawned a number of online video distributors (OVDs) whose "over-the-top" video services are in some ways akin to, and in some ways different from, traditional cable and satellite video programming distribution services. However, most of the statutory and regulatory framework for video predates the commercial Internet and was developed within a policy debate that could not consider digital technology and online services. As a result, many statutory provisions apply only to cable companies or satellite carriers, or only to "multichannel video programming distributors" (MVPDs)-- a category that includes cable and satellite operators, but as currently interpreted by the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) excludes online video distributors. This book explores the legal and regulatory issues and challenges of online video distributors today, with a re-examination of the Cable Act of 1992.