[A2k] Audiovisual Makers and Consumers - June 13, 2006

[James Love]

This is mostly Jeff Chester's proposal, with changes reflecting some
of the comments received so far.  Jamie


Audiovisual Makers and Consumers - June 13, 2006

1.	It is vital to ensure that both content makers and consumers have
unimpeded, but fair, access to communicate and engage in transactions
with each other.  Access to audiovisual content is essential to help
ensure the public can readily obtain diverse sources of information,
including cultural products.

2.	The growing availability of a multiplatform digital distribution
systems, such as the broadband Internet, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV),
and mobile services, provides an important opportunity for both
audiovisual content creators and consumers.  For example, media
makers can now sell content directly to consumers using broadband
connections.  Consumers also have the ability to view and acquire a
diverse array of audiovisual content.

3.	We support the following rights:

4.	Audiovisual makers should be able to directly sell/distribute
their products and services to all consumers, regardless of regional
boundaries;

5.	All broadband networks/ media service providers available to the
public should readily foster such communications and transactions;

6.	Audiovisual makers should have access to the full range of
distribution modalities, including video on demand, switched video,
and mobile networks;

7.	Audiovisual makers should [respect all] [adhere to] appropriate
laws and regulatory regimes[, including] [and] rules protecting
privacy, advertising safeguards for minors; and human rights.

8.	Audiovisual makers should [respect] [adhere to] reasonable
measures including copyright law, that protect the moral and material
interests of creative communities.  However, these measures should
not be overly burdensome, with regard to the ability of audiovisual
makers to use portions of works to create new works.

9.	Audiovisual makers should have access to a universal and
affordable system of rights clearances, [as well as appropriate
limitations and exceptions in copyright law to protect the ability to
use works or portions of works without remuneration in appropriate
cases];

10.	Audiovisual makers should expect national governments and other
governmental bodies would provide financial support and other
assistance to aide the production and distribution of works;

11.	Audiovisual makers should expect national governments and other
governmental bodies to facilitate agreements between themselves and
access providers, if needed;

12.	Audiovisual makers should expect that broadcasting and computer
networks receive the necessary investment to ensure state of the art,
efficient, delivery of digital content to users;

13.	Audiovisual makers should expect government and network providers
to help ensure that digital distribution is equitably available and
affordable, including to rural and low-income consumers.

14.	Consumers:

15.	Have the right to directly contact and acquire the multimedia/
audiovisual content of their choice;

16.	Their privacy should be protected and purchases protected by
effective consumer standards;

17.	Consumer representatives must be included as a core constituency
in any deliberation involving government or government-sponsored
entities related to digital distribution (such as the recent European
Charter related to online film, etc);

18.	Consumers should expect that networks would receive the necessary
investment to ensure state of the art, efficient, delivery of digital
content to them;

19.	Consumers should expect government and network providers to help
ensure that digital distribution is equitably available and
affordable, including to rural and low-income communities;

20.	Consumers benefit from cultural diversity in all aspects of
broadcasting and publishing of cultural works.  Mechanisms to support
such diversity, including promotion for diverse languages, and
minority productions are needed. States or Regional entities must
consider diverse methods to support the creation and diffusion of
communitarian or artistic works, from quotas to subventions for
scripting, filming or diffusion and theaters.


---------------------------------
James Love, CPTech / www.cptech.org / mailto:james.love@cptech.org /
tel. +1.202.332.2670 / mobile +1.202.361.3040

"If everyone thinks the same: No one thinks."  Bill Walton