Copyright Law

CRTC Re-Opens Door to Fee-For-Carriage

By Michael Geist

The CRTC has again opened the door to fee-for-carriage, saying that "is now of the view that a negotiated solution for compensation for the free market value of local conventional television signals is also appropriate. The Commission expects that these negotiations will be completed before the long-term renewal of licences and that they will take place in a way that ensures that Canadians will not lose access to programming services. In the absence of negotiated agreements, the Commission will provide resolution through binding arbitration."  The move was swiftly condemned by Rogers and Bell.

Update: The Globe covers the story with Rogers' Phil Lind saying he is "fighting mad."

Full post as published by Michael Geist on July 06, 2009 (boomark / email).