Q: What are the legal restrictions of keeping content locally cached in an operator network?
A: Right now there is a lot of debate in the content community about exactly what rights they have given to the operators for the content. Some say the operator only has the right to deliver the content to TVs within the home. Others say the content can go to any device but only within the home where primary TV service is provided. I have heard none of the content providers say the operators can deliver the content to subscribers outside the home without a separate agreement to do so.
So, to your question - Keeping the content cached in the network close to a subscriber is a grey area. It very much depends how the content got there and how the subscriber can access it. For example, if the content is there as part of a Network DVR service it’s probably okay. In this case, the subscriber would be blocked from accessing the show if they hadn’t requested to “record” it before the show was broadcast. If the operator has an agreement with the content provider to provide that content as part of TV Everywhere services, once again, this is probably okay. Outside of these two cases the operator probably can’t cache the content in the network without getting specific permission from the content provider directly to do so.
Today's Question of the Week was submitted by Dean Staples of MT Allstream. Dean will receive a Roku box. Got a question? Ask us!
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About Colin Dixon
Colin Dixon
Senior Partner, Advisory
Formerly: Senior Executive at Microsoft/Web TV, Liberate and Oracle
Colin Dixon is the senior partner for TDG’s advisory services. He is a Senior Technology Consultant with a background building and managing all aspects of a technical business. His extensive experience includes new media, communications, networking and network management - industries where he has a proven record of developing and delivering top quality products and services on time to meet market needs.
Colin has held senior executive positions at Microsoft/WebTV, Liberate and Oracle where he was responsible for technology and business teams delivering to the Cable, Satellite and IPTV industries. Over the last 15 years, he has led various corporate departments including engineering, business development, product and program management and marketing.
Colin is a published author and accomplished speaker including presentations at major industry shows such as NAB and IBC. He graduated from the University of Reading in England with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He holds a Masters in Engineering from the University of Florida and has post-graduate business education experience from Stanford.