A U.S. appeals court on Friday struck down a Federal Communications Commission rule designed to limit people from sending copies of digital television programs over the Internet.
“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said the FCC had “exceeded the scope of its delegated authority” with the 2003 rule, which would have required TV set manufacturers to start using new technology by July 1.
“We can find nothing in the statute, its legislative history, the applicable case law, or agency practice indicating that Congress meant to provide the sweeping authority the FCC now claims over receiver apparatus,” the three-judge appeals court panel said in its opinion.
FCC officials have said copyright protections were needed to help speed the adoption of digital television, which offers higher quality signals. ”
Read more at Reuters
