ivi Status Update
March 15, 2012
ivi is waiting on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to rule if ivi fits the definition of a cable system as defined in copyright law. Where ivi pays royalties to the US Copyright Office, and all content owners are compensated for ivi’s secondary transmissions of broadcast programming.
Cable Licensing Information: http://www.copyright.gov/licensing/sec_111.html
Section 111: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.pdf
(3) Cable system.— A “cable system” is a facility, located in any State, territory, trust territory, or possession of the United States, that in whole or in part receives signals transmitted or programs broadcast by one or more television broadcast stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, and makes secondary transmissions of such signals or programs by wires, cables, microwave, or other communications channels to subscribing members of the public who pay for such service. For purposes of determining the royalty fee under subsection (d)(1), two or more cable systems in contiguous communities under common ownership or control or operating from one headend shall be considered as one system.