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

[James Love]

These are a few additions to the earlier draft [the one based upon
Jeff Chester's very useful proposals and contributions from HLC and
others].  I would add:

x1.  Concentration of ownership of the distribution systems presents
risks and dangers to both consumers and makers of audio visual works,
in terms of high prices (for distribution), lack of diversity of
content, and undue influence on cultural and political life.  Global
concentrations of ownership of media outlets are even more risky and
dangerous than concentrations of ownership of national systems.
Monopolistic control over "last mile" delivery of digital content, if
combined with the ability to discriminate among content providers,
presents the same type of problems.

x2.  Creative communities and consumers oppose government imposed
censorship and other restrictions on the freedom of opinion and
expression; including the freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
through any media and regardless of frontiers.

x3.  Both creative communities and consumers are harmed by excessive
prices costs associated with the distribution and sharing of
audiovisual works.

x4.  Consumers and makers of audiovisual works agree that
broadcasting or webcasting organizations should not be given
intellectual property rights in the content of audo visual works.

> On Jun 16, 2006, at 9:34 AM, James Love wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
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>
> ---------------------------------
> 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
>
>
>

---------------------------------
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