While other Latin American institutions are still debating whether VOD and over-the-top (OTT) platforms should be regulated, Brazil seems to be heading towards the establishment of a well-regulated market.

Speaking during the ABTA summit, Manoel Rangel, ANCINE’s president, said VOD regulations regarding broadcasting rights will be addressed before the end of the year. “We need to evaluate how new ways of distribution affect copyright,” said Rangel. “We feel the market is willing to discuss these topics, and we need to do it publicly and with input from public and private agents.”

Regulation is also needed to guarantee competition and consumer access to content under fair conditions, said Rosana Alcantara, ANCINE’s director.

“A legal framework drives private investment in the country, allowing more local production and better distribution of Brazilian content,” said Alcantara. “VOD has specific features, which we have to study, trying to see how they fit in our current regulation.”

VOD regulation has been a priority for ANCINE during the past year. In fact, Debora Ivanov, who shares directorship with Alcantara and Roberto Lime, stated in October 2015, right after her appointment, that VOD was the place to be for creators, but that it needed to be regulated.