Briefs: Japan debates on Internet TV patent law
A Japanese government policy group said Monday Internet TV should be considered as private broadcasts that require simpler patent rights.
The intellectual property strategy committee which reports directly to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said that intellectual property right has a profound impact on the broadcasting industry, and the current law regarding Internet protocol multicast broadcasting remained unclear in many areas.
As a result, the group called for a revision of existing laws that will make it easier for broadcasters to put programs on air via the Web without fear of legal repercussions of potentially violating intellectual property rights.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International