Most interesting. I'll be sure to try it out. I've already set up the Sinclair
OTT site, in my favorites. Works great.
Here's the legal aspect of Locast:
"To stream the TV signals without payment or permission ... Locast.org ... is
relying on Title 17, Chapter 1, section 111 a)5 of the Copyright Act - which,
for those without a copy handy, covers exemptions from exclusive rights to
broadcast transmissions. It grants that exemption if 'the secondary
transmission is not made by a cable system, but is made by a governmental body,
or other nonprofit organization, without any purpose of direct or indirect
commercial advantage, and without charge to the recipients of the secondary
transmission other than assessments necessary to defray the actual and
reasonable costs of maintaining and operating the secondary transmission
service.'"
To me, much like CATV systems or central antenna systems in apartment complexes.
"Locast asks for a donation to help defray expenses, which it says squares with
the law, but it can't turn a profit or charge a sub fee."
Especially if the donation is voluntary, I would think. Donations typically are.
Bert
---------------------------------------------------------
https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/locast-tv-station-streaming-service-expands-to-d-c-baltimore
Locast TV Station Streaming Service Expands to D.C., Baltimore
Continues its cross-country march to deliver free online versions of free TV
John Eggerton 9 hours ago
Just in time for the Super Bowl, online TV station streaming service Locast is
announcing its expansion to two new markets--Washington and nearby
Baltimore--as it expands its effort to provide free over-the-internet versions
of over-the-air TV stations, a model that continues to expand in major markets
unchecked by any pushback from broadcasters or TV studios or sports leagues
that like to control distribution of their content.
That new Capital connection will put the service in front of lawmakers who hear
it from constituents during retrans impasses, particularly ones that happen
during must-have sports--football, baseball--playoffs.
In fact, recently, Charter was talking up Locast to its subscribers impacted by
retransmission consent impasses. The cable operator told its Spectrum
subscribers about the service in markets where Tribune Broadcasting stations
had been blacked out and Locast is available, including New York, Houston,
Dallas and Denver, before the parties reached a new retrans pact on Friday
(Jan. 11).
"Locast is bringing the public mission of free, local broadcast to a new
generation of cord-cutters and Internet-only video consumers," said David
Goodfriend, chairman of the Sports Fans Coalition, which is behind the no-cost
Locast effort. "With the addition of Washington, D.C, and Baltimore, Locast has
now provided almost a third of U.S. television households with a way to watch
local broadcast TV, even if you do not subscribe to pay-TV or cannot receive an
over-the-air signal."
Locast launched last January in New York, then added Houston and Dallas,
Denver, Chicago, Boston and Philly.
To stream the TV signals without payment or permission--though Goodfriend says
some independents have sought him out for carriage and provided
help--Locast.org (a contraction of "local" and "broadcast") is relying on Title
17, Chapter 1, section 111 a)5 of the Copyright Act - which, for those without
a copy handy, covers exemptions from exclusive rights to broadcast
transmissions. It grants that exemption if "the secondary transmission is not
made by a cable system, but is made by a governmental body, or other nonprofit
organization, without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage,
and without charge to the recipients of the secondary transmission other than
assessments necessary to defray the actual and reasonable costs of maintaining
and operating the secondary transmission service."
That is the same provision under which TV translators already boost broadcast
signals, Goodfriend pointed out when the service launched, saying it should not
matter what the technology is. They are a nonprofit taking a broadcast signal
and retransmitting it, period, he says.
Locast asks for a donation to help defray expenses, which it says squares with
the law, but it can't turn a profit or charge a sub fee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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