This is unbelievable...Either AOL is backing a way from the " Open Net " stance or they are monumentally two-faced:
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--A bill meant to put direct broadcast satellite television on an equal footing with cable has stumbled over another snag.
Language was inserted in the bill that would prevent Internet service providers like America Online Inc. (AOL) or Internet "portals" like Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) from getting the same kind of blanket copyright permission to transmit television programs that cable and satellite providers get.
The language has drawn unified howls of protest from high-tech companies, companies who are normally howling at each other. They say it will preclude them from providing television via "streaming video" and other means.
"Communications are changing so quickly today," said an AOL spokesperson. "No one knows what the future holds. We and others in the industry don't think it makes sense to close any doors, particularly when there hasn't been any debate over the issue."
Unfortunately, in the complicated legislative endgame where the satellite bill now resides, fixing the problem may not be easy. Moreover, Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, has dug in his heels against a provision in the bill that would provide loan guarantees meant to bring local stations to rural satellite viewers.
"I am not going to let this bill be adopted with that $1.25 billion giveaway in it," Gramm said in a statement on the Senate floor.
Ken Johnson, spokesman for one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., said between the concerns of Gramm and ISPs, "the bill is in jeopardy. That is causing House leaders to have heart palpitations."
Tom |
