366.031 Definitions; preference relating to cable television prohibited; penalties. - Florida Statutes

366.031 Definitions; preference relating to cable television prohibited; penalties.

   (1) As used in this section, the term:

   (a) “Affiliate,” when used in relation to any person, means another person who owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such person.

   (b) “Cable service” means:

   1. The one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming or any other programming service; and

   2. Subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the selection of such video programming or other programming service.

   (c) “Cable system” means a facility, consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable service which includes video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, but such term does not include:

   1. A facility that serves only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast stations;

   2. A facility that serves only subscribers in one or more multiple-unit dwellings under common ownership, control, or management, unless such facility or facilities uses any public right-of-way;

   3. A facility of a common carrier, except that such facility shall be considered a cable system to the extent such facility is used in the transmission of video programming directly to subscribers; or

   4. Any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating its electric utility systems.

   (d) “Video programming” means programming provided by or generally considered comparable to programming provided by a television broadcast station or cable system.

   (2) No electric utility shall make or give any preference or advantage to any person as an accommodation or inducement to that person to contract with or take the services of any entity which is an affiliate of such electric utility and which entity provides video programming to persons within all or any part of the service area of such electric utility.

   (3) No electric utility shall make or give any preference or advantage over any entity which is not an affiliate of such electric utility, and which entity provides video programming to persons within all or any part of the service area of such electric utility, to any entity which is an affiliate of such electric utility and which entity provides video programming to persons within all or any part of the service area of such electric utility.

   (4) Upon a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that either any electric utility or its affiliate providing video programming services within all or any part of the service area of the electric utility has violated the provisions of this section, the court:

   (a) May award actual damages to any other entity not an affiliate of the electric utility providing video programming services to persons within all or any part of the service area of the electric utility, and may grant injunctive relief.

   (b) Shall award costs of any action, together with reasonable attorney’s fees, to the prevailing party.

History. s. 4, ch. 87-266; s. 22, ch. 89-292; s. 4, ch. 91-429.