Syllabus: GS2/Government Policies and Interventions
Context
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) releases Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2023 [hereinafter referred to as Interconnection Regulations].
About:
- TRAI amended the Interconnection Regulations to protect the interests of service providers and consumers.
Features of the amendments:
- A new Schedule X has been prescribed for Digital Rights Management (DRM) System Requirements, that includes:
- Subscriber Management Systems (SMS) for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services;
- Conditional access by subscribers and encryption for IPTV services;
- Fingerprinting for IPTV services; and,
- To STBs/unique consumer subscription.
What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?
- DRM is a systematic approach to copyright protection for digital media available in Cyberspace to prevent unauthorised redistribution of digital media.
- It includes all the technical systems designed to facilitate the management of rights in respect of digital content.
Legality of DRM:
- Legal support for DRM systems is to be found in the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) of 1996.
- The WIPO Internet Treaties are designed to update and supplement the Berne Convention and the Rome Convention.
| The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): – It was established in 1997 by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, an Act of Parliament. Objectives: – It aims to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government. – It provides a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition. Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT): – It was established in 2000 by amending the TRAI Act, to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI. – It adjudicates any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, between a service provider and a group of consumers, and to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI. |
