October 18, 2006 at 02:10British government: “Save online video!”
The British newspaper The Times reports on the preparation by the European Commission of a bill aimed at regulating television. It is assumed that this bill will also affect the activities of Internet services that allow users to post video content in the public domain, as well as any sites that host video clips. Among the goals of the bill are setting advertising standards, combating calls for violence, child pornography, etc.
The UK government fears that future law will affect ordinary Internet users, and not just giants like YouTube. Any sites with video content will be designated as television-like services - “services similar to television”, and their owners will be required to obtain a license to enable visitors to view any video recording, including amateur (“home”) filming. In this context, the title of the bill - “Television Without Frontiers” - looks curious.
Shaun Woodward, Minister of Broadcasting, explains: “Suppose you own the site for an amateur rugby team. You posted information about the team, some video materials, gave a link to a local sports store. In this case, you are a provider of video content and must obtain a license and follow certain rules. ”
The UK government insists that Internet matters are not addressed at all in this bill. In addition to the owners of small sites, large network services will also suffer, which will either be closed or (more likely) their management will be moved outside the EU. The government says that the bill will destroy the industry, which began to develop not so long ago, but has great prospects and demonstrates good financial performance.
The solution to the problem is the definition of the concept of "television" in European law. At the moment, oddly enough, a clear definition is not given.
The UK government fears that future law will affect ordinary Internet users, and not just giants like YouTube. Any sites with video content will be designated as television-like services - “services similar to television”, and their owners will be required to obtain a license to enable visitors to view any video recording, including amateur (“home”) filming. In this context, the title of the bill - “Television Without Frontiers” - looks curious.
Shaun Woodward, Minister of Broadcasting, explains: “Suppose you own the site for an amateur rugby team. You posted information about the team, some video materials, gave a link to a local sports store. In this case, you are a provider of video content and must obtain a license and follow certain rules. ”
The UK government insists that Internet matters are not addressed at all in this bill. In addition to the owners of small sites, large network services will also suffer, which will either be closed or (more likely) their management will be moved outside the EU. The government says that the bill will destroy the industry, which began to develop not so long ago, but has great prospects and demonstrates good financial performance.
The solution to the problem is the definition of the concept of "television" in European law. At the moment, oddly enough, a clear definition is not given.