Legal Implications on eContent

摘要

New technologies in telecommunication services require new business models. Inadequate payments for UMTS-licences and the end of the Internet-hype forced industries to describe themselves as 'alchemists' and search for the 'killer applications'. Therefore different ideas of using content within such new technologies arose. Since the use of content for these new applications might have legal implications not specifically covered by existing laws this search raises hotly-discussed questions. When considering the business model it is important to understand if licences, notifications or the like are required, or if other restrictions exist. The paper discusses the difference between broadcaster, cabfe provider and simple information-service providers. In particular, the status of Internet-based TV and radio services is discussed and how law differs between terrestrial and cable services (for example, between DVB-T and DVB-C). As copyright law is very strict, the implications of such laws are discussed. However, this article focuses on transmission and on-demand services. In addition, this paper alludes to legal obligations to be considered when providing content services.