Here is something that TV companies like Viacom are going to love: The Japanese government is apparently considering allowing anyone and everyone to upload previously broadcast television shows without permission.
Anyone who does upload TV content will need to pay a mandatory license fee to the rights holders.
TV Companies Will Be Pissed
While I think this is a great idea because it will spread entertainment and information making it more accessible, the TV companies and rights holders are not going to be happy.
TV companies have been working hard to keep control of their video content so they can maintain revenue models that they are comfortable with.
In other words most rights holders don’t want to lose out on DVD sales, a profitable and successful business model, by making TV shows available online. You need only look at the DRM crippled and overpriced movie download services like Amazon Unbox, or the huge limitations on TV shows being distributed online, such as with the BBC iPlayer.
World Wide Web
If people are allowed to freely upload TV content to the internet then surely this content will be available worLdwide. Well we can hope!
It is more likely that if this does go through it would end up with many restrictions including:
- DRM to prevent downloading and copying
- Country Blocks so the video is only available in Japan
- Expiry System so that the video is only available for a limited time. Like the BBC iPlayer where TV shows are only available for 7 days after broadcast.
Could be Enforced within 2 Years
The Intellectual Property Rights Policy Work Group of the Japanese Government is currently drafting the proposals for these changes. The panel will complete its final report by May 31.
If accepted, the rule changes are expected to go into effect within two years.
