In the context of the recent discussion about the FTC clampdown on "blogola" and, in particular, the mud being thrown from across the pond at the idea of slippery slopes, I note these new rules soon to come in to force in the UK.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/vod/ The rules govern offensive content, product placement, and sponsorship. Video-on-demand services from all UK broadcasters will be subject to new rules, in line with European law. 19 December is the deadline for all EU states to introduce these rules Ofcom proposes to rope in the Association for Television On Demand (ATVOD) the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) as watchdogs/enforcers while it will maintain ultimate discretion. While the document states that electronic versions of newspapers, private websites and unmoderated UGC material on sites like YouTube will not be regulated, it also says that its powers may ultimately go beyond services operated by broadcasters. Ofcom says that while the consultation is focused on VoD providers who are also present in the TV, "This is not intended to suggest that service providers from outside the existing broadcast sector are less likely to be subject to regulation." Thus BT, Channel4, FilmFlex, Five, ITV, Tiscali, Virgin Media, BBC, IP Vision and the On Demand Group (all the listed members of ATVOD) are going to be given regulatory powers over all the rest of the UK Internet's video publishers, if you like the 'community police' of on demand video in the UK. What the penalties will be incurred for infringing content is not immediately apparent. source: http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=1&article=51853 joly -- --------------------------------------------------------------- Joly MacFie 917 442 8665 Skype:punkcast WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
