Streaming Regulation, Codec Licensing & Media Policy News
Standards bodies and regulators quietly decide what becomes mandatory long before it reaches a press release. This category follows DRM and anti-piracy enforcement, codec licensing and patent pools, AI training-data copyright, and net neutrality and privacy rules shaping the industry.
Canon is rolling out its Authenticity Imaging System, which is compliant with the C2PA standard, to supported models starting in May 2026. This system is designed for news organizations to provide verifiable authenticity for images created by Canon cameras.
ABC has accused the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its chair, Brendan Carr, of overstepping its authority and violating its rights through a probe of the talk show 'The View.' ABC's objection is focused on the actions and political motivations of the FCC chair regarding the investigation.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the NFL's costly streaming deals, arguing they negatively affect fans. His comments are part of a broader government probe into the league's antitrust exemption.
India's telecom regulator, TRAI, has proposed new rules for consumer grievance handling by telecom companies, which include potential penalties of up to INR 50 lakh (approximately USD 60,000) for improper rejection or closure of customer complaints.
The United States is focusing its selection process for 6G spectrum on the 7 gigahertz band, which is now considered the leading candidate. This decision pertains to future telecommunications infrastructure.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) concluded its final Council meeting in preparation for the upcoming Plenipotentiary Conference. The meeting focused on fostering multilateral cooperation among its member states.
UCL's Faculty of Laws announced its 8th annual "Patents and Standards 2026" conference scheduled for May 14-15, 2026, in London, focusing on global market developments in intellectual property. The event features key speakers from Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Nokia, and includes panels on topics such as FRAND disputes, licensing streaming standards, patent portfolio valuation, and the role of courts and platforms.
Unified Patents has filed an ex parte reexamination proceeding against U.S. Patent 10,778,989, a video codec patent owned by Malikie Innovations Limited. The patent, originally assigned to Blackberry Ltd., relates to a rolling intra prediction method based on H.264/AVC/HEVC standards. Malikie Innovations, an NPE funded by Key Patent Innovations Limited, has previously filed other litigations.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has outlined its online safety priorities for 2026-27, focusing on implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA) and preparing for new legislation. The priorities include protecting children through age assurance and content moderation, combating illegal hate and terror content, and enhancing women's and girls' safety online, with a focus on intimate image abuse and AI-generated sexual deepfakes. Ofcom will use supervision and enforcement, including potential fines up to 10% of global revenue, to drive compliance.
Griffin Media's CBS affiliates KWTV-9 (Oklahoma City) and KOTV-6 (Tulsa) are no longer carried by DirecTV due to a failure to reach a new retransmission consent agreement. Griffin Media claims DirecTV declined permission to continue carrying the stations during ongoing negotiations, impacting severe weather coverage in Oklahoma. The media company is asking DirecTV for fair market compensation for its local stations.
South Korean authorities are facing increasing challenges from sophisticated AI-generated disinformation as local elections approach, testing existing laws. The National Election Commission is tasked with addressing the rising volume and complexity of AI-created false content.
This analytical article synthesizes several recent reports and industry developments, focusing on the challenges of data coherence in the media and entertainment industry, the call from European broadcasters for stricter regulation of CTV operating systems and voice assistants under the EU Digital Markets Act, and advancements in video monetization and AI applications. It highlights how these factors are shaping the future of streaming and traditional broadcasting, including the increasing adoption of DVB-I.
Nvidia will face claims from authors that it used copyrighted books to train its artificial intelligence models, after a federal judge in California rejected the company's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The case could impact how AI companies obtain datasets for system training. Nvidia is a major provider of GPUs, which are critical for AI model training.
Meta has terminated its contract with Sama, a content moderation firm, following reports that Meta reviewers in Nairobi allegedly viewed intimate user videos captured by smart glasses. This incident has led to 1108 redundancies at Sama and initiated a global safety inquiry into privacy concerns related to smart glasses technology.
The article states that AI labels, intended to help users identify fake AI content, are failing due to a lack of regulatory action and social platforms not prioritizing effective solutions. This places the burden on users to discern manipulated content.
The article discusses how eXtended Reality (XR) and DVB-I are impacting immersive video experiences. It highlights their role in next-generation sports experiences and redefining audience engagement. The piece suggests these technologies are transforming how viewers interact with video content.
An appeals court has ruled against LG in a patent lawsuit related to NextGen TV technology. This legal development occurs as federal regulators consider a nationwide transition to NextGen TV by the end of the decade.
Nvidia is required to face patent infringement allegations in a US lawsuit related to its AI training processes. The legal proceedings will address claims concerning the company's use of AI technology.
Connecticut lawmakers have passed a bipartisan artificial intelligence (AI) regulation bill, Senate Bill 5. The bill was led by state Senator James Maroney, D-Milford.
Public access channels in the U.S. are facing potential funding cuts from cable providers. This is due to a decline in cable TV subscriptions, which previously supported a vital revenue source for these local stations.
A French court has ruled that the country's anti-piracy scheme, which involves a graduated response, breaches EU data handling regulations. This decision could impact how personal data is used in future anti-piracy efforts.
Nvidia is facing legal claims in the US regarding the alleged scraping of user data from YouTube. Plaintiffs argue the case should proceed in US courts.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated its rules for the Oscar awards, making content with AI-generated actors and AI-written scripts ineligible for key categories. This decision impacts submissions for the prestigious film awards, setting a clear boundary for the use of artificial intelligence in qualifying productions.
Information security agencies from the Five Eyes alliance have issued guidance on agentic AI, warning against its rapid rollout due to safety concerns. The guidance originates from a collaboration among intelligence bodies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
China's recent crackdown on influencer activities is prompting India to re-evaluate its own regulatory approach to the creator economy. The move by China to control online content and influencer behavior is seen by Indian authorities as a precedent that could inform future policy decisions regarding social media and streaming platforms.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has extended the consultation period for feedback on proposed amendments to IT rules concerning synthetic content to May 7. The proposed changes mandate clear labeling of synthetic media and outline responsibilities for social media intermediaries regarding artificial intelligence (AI) generated content.
This article discusses FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's efforts to target Disney's broadcast licenses after an apparent attempt to influence Jimmy Kimmel's employment. The report is based on Carr's appearance on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller.
The article suggests that government actions, specifically from Washington, are leading to the dismantling of the existing internet structure, citing demands on Meta and Google to curb surveillance advertising. This implies a significant shift in data privacy and operational models for major internet companies.
ZEE5 has filed a petition with the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging an advisory from the Indian government's Centre, which urged streaming platforms not to release the film 'Lawrence of Punjab'. The streaming platform is disputing the Centre's directive regarding the film's release.
The FCC has unanimously voted to advance a proposal that would ban all testing labs in China and Hong Kong from certifying electronics sold in the US. This ruling is based on national security concerns and could affect up to 75% of devices entering the US market.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new rule changes for the upcoming Academy Awards season. These changes are in response to the increasing use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. The article does not specify the exact nature of these rule changes.
The article proposes taxing low-value AI-generated content as a negative externality, conceptualizing it as "AI-generated slop" to address economic implications. This approach shifts the perspective from content moderation to economic policy, suggesting it could have immediate relevance for startups despite the potential timeline for policy implementation.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has implemented new rules for the Oscars regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in film production. These regulations address AI-generated actors and scripts, among other aspects of AI integration in moviemaking.
This article discusses the current landscape of U.S. patent challenge mechanisms, noting that inter partes review (IPR) has been the dominant method for over a decade. It then highlights that ex parte reexamination is now eclipsing IPR in terms of frequency and usage for challenging issued patent claims.
A Chinese court has ruled that companies cannot use AI replacement as a standalone justification for worker dismissals. This decision requires companies to provide additional documented reasons for termination beyond AI's ability to perform a job function.
The UK's High Court of Justice has ordered Samsung to pay $392 million to ZTE to license its patents. This ruling follows a patent dispute between the two companies.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has been appointed as the Chairman of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for 2026. This appointment positions Nigeria to lead global digital policy discussions within the ITU.
A UK court has ordered Samsung to pay ZTE $392 million as part of a global patent licensing dispute. The payment is a lump sum in relation to essential mobile patent licensing.
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the process by which the FCC imposes penalties, specifically examining whether greater jury trial protections are required in telecommunications cases involving fines against companies like AT&T and Verizon.
The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to evaluate the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. transaction, indicating a growing trend of global regulatory scrutiny on media mergers. This contrasts with the transaction having already been cleared in Washington D.C., highlighting differing regulatory approaches between jurisdictions.
The FCC has voted to remove Chinese testing laboratories from the equipment authorization process for electronics sold in the U.S. This decision is expected to impact the supply chain by altering how devices are certified for the American market.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new rules that could enable SpaceX's Starlink to increase its satellite internet capacity by up to seven-fold. This regulatory update directly impacts Starlink's ability to enhance its service offerings regarding overall bandwidth.
The European Parliament intends to advocate for accelerated compliance procedures regarding the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and increased scrutiny of AI-driven services. This push comes ahead of the DMA's upcoming review, indicating a focus on stricter enforcement and expanded scope.
New Mexico is initiating a public nuisance trial against Meta, seeking changes to the company's business practices to enhance child protection within the state. The legal proceedings commenced on Monday.
The Academy has implemented new rules for the 2027 Oscars, prohibiting the use of AI-generated actors and scripts for award eligibility. This update ensures that only human-created performances and written works are recognized.
The FCC has mandated that ABC submit its broadcast license renewal applications by May 28, amidst increasing public sentiment regarding controversies surrounding personality Jimmy Kimmel. This regulatory action requires early renewal for the network's broadcast licenses.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr addressed claims that politics influenced the agency's early review of ABC's broadcast license renewal. Carr asserted that the agency's review process was not politically motivated.
The Academy Awards has announced new regulations for the upcoming 99th annual Oscars ceremony. These rules specifically address the use of AI in film production.
The article expresses concern that "Big Tech" companies are influencing EU law-making, specifically regarding AI regulation. It suggests that transparency is being undermined in the development of AI data centers within the EU.
The Ohio Attorney General has announced an agreement with Nexstar Media Group regarding its proposed acquisition of Tegna. The deal requires WKYC and WBNS to maintain separate news operations through 2030, ensuring editorial independence for the local news organizations.