What is the compulsory zone?
For Canadians a significant element in the American copyright legislation was the creation of a compulsory zone. The zone’s definition states that U.S. cable systems that are north of the 42nd parallel (the top of California), or 150 miles south of the Canada/U.S. border, (whichever is further south) can pick-up and simultaneously re-transmit Canadian broadcast signals. They have to pay fees as required by the compulsory license, but do not need the Canadian broadcasters’ permission.
