Television Satellite License: Retransmission of Network and Local Signals (CRS Report for Congress)
Premium Purchase PDF for $24.95 (16 pages)
add to cart or
subscribe for unlimited access
Pro Premium subscribers have free access to our full library of CRS reports.
Subscribe today, or
request a demo to learn more.
| Release Date |
Nov. 30, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-986 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Dorothy Schrader, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The satellite compulsory license of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. 119) authorizes retransmission of "superstation" and network television broadcast programming via satellite providers to satellite home dish owners for private home viewing, upon payment of statutory fees and compliance with other conditions. Copyright policy issues have arisen about the satellite license's restrictions on retransmission of network signals only to "unserved households," and about retransmission of local signals back to the community served by the local broadcast station. This report reviews the background of the satellite license, the policy issues concerning retransmission of network and local signals, and legislative proposals in response to those policy issues.
