The Congress finds that-
The Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to assure compatibility between televisions and video cassette recorders and cable systems, consistent with the need to prevent theft of cable service, so that cable subscribers will be able to enjoy the full benefit of both the programming available on cable systems and the functions available on their televisions and video cassette recorders.
In issuing the regulations referred to in paragraph (1), the Commission shall determine whether and, if so, under what circumstances to permit cable systems to scramble or encrypt signals or to restrict cable systems in the manner in which they encrypt or scramble signals, except that the Commission shall not limit the use of scrambling or encryption technology where the use of such technology does not interfere with the functions of subscribers' television receivers or video cassette recorders.
In prescribing the regulations required by this section, the Commission shall consider-
The regulations prescribed by the Commission under this section shall include such regulations as are necessary-
The Commission shall periodically review and, if necessary, modify the regulations issued pursuant to this section in light of any actions taken in response to such regulations and to reflect improvements and changes in cable systems, television receivers, video cassette recorders, and similar technology.
47 U.S.C. § 544a
EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115-141 in heading, substituted "Regulations" for "Report; regulations", and in text, substituted "The Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to assure" for "Within 1 year after October 5, 1992, the Commission, in consultation with representatives of the cable industry and the consumer electronics industry, shall report to Congress on means of assuring" and struck out at end "Within 180 days after the date of submission of the report required by this subsection, the Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to assure such compatibility."1996-Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104-104, §301(f)(1), added par. (4).Subsec. (c)(1)(A) to (C). Pub. L. 104-104, §301(f)(2), added subpar. (A) and redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as (B) and (C), respectively.Subsec. (c)(2)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 104-104, §301(f)(3), added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively.
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATESection effective 60 days after Oct. 5, 1992, see section 28 of Pub. L. 102-385 set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 325 of this title.