Copyright Focus May Continue Beyond Register Bill; Telecom Act Overhaul May Not Happen Soon, NAB Told
Look for more congressional action on copyright reform, an aide to House IP Subcommittee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told an NAB Show panel. Such efforts would come amid House consideration (see 1704240066) of the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability…
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Act (HR-1695). "I am optimistic about copyright reform later this year," said Issa aide Tyler Grimm. "There has been a lot" of debate about the appointment process for a register of copyrights, with some uncomfortable about the departure of the last register, he said. Grimm is optimistic HR-1695 will pass the House, he said, noting it then goes to the Senate. "I think you’re going to see more [Copyright] Office modernization bills," he said. "I think that debate is going to take hold." On the potential for an overhaul of the Telecom Act, other congressional aides noted here in Las Vegas widespread agreement that some of the regulatory silos created by the act need to be changed. But prospects for quick work on a comprehensive revamp may not be good, based on their comments. Updating the act "is still something that we think is important," said House Commerce Committee Republican aide Kelsey Guyselman. "Everyone agrees that the law is outdated and needs to be fixed." She, like others, also noted partisan divides aplenty on Capitol Hill: "If that means narrower pieces of legislation, I think that’s something we are open to." House Commerce Democratic aide Jerry Leverich said, "You’re going to be hard-pressed to find anyone who says the silo approach embodied by the Communications Act" is ideal. He said ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., "would be willing to negotiate on some things … making sure that consumers are protected." On FCC issues, Hill aides generally backed process changes by Chairman Ajit Pai and called the incentive auction a success. "We’ve appreciated the efforts that Chairman Pai has undertaken" in terms of processes, said Senate Commerce Committee GOP aide Cort Bush. "There certainly probably is more work that can be done statutorily." Guyselman called the auction an overall success, with "an optimal outcome" where "consumers benefit from both services in robust ways," she said of TV stations and wireless carriers. "The proof of concept played out well." Leverich agreed on the successful proof of concept, noting much work remains with repacking of stations. "We’re not all the way across the finish line yet," he said, with almost 1,000 TV stations needing to change channels and radio stations potentially being affected. "There will be a lot of things we will focus on," Leverich continued, "to make sure this next phase is as successful as the first phase."