Set Top Box Endgame

Since the set top box deliberations presumably will continue in coming weeks, it seems appropriate and necessary to outline the problem areas I see preventing a conclusion:

Federal Communications Commission Control of the Model License and API: Some have proposed replacing provisions in earlier versions that provided explicit FCC review and approval roles with active FCC monitoring and threats of future action if progress is deemed unsatisfactory.
The Myth of Universal Search: One of the benefits of the item touted by proponents is that it will enable a competitive market in so-called “universal” or “integrated” search apps.
Questionable Feasibility: A key component of this item is a requirement that every multichannel video programming distributor with over 400,000 subscribers develop and support a native app for every widely deployed operating system.
Opening the Door to the App Tax: Today, many of the widely deployed platforms usually receive an upfront fee or cut of revenues from software developers to have their apps made available on these very popular platforms.
Competition from Pirated Content: Programmers and MVPDs have registered valid concerns that the third party integrated search engines contemplated by the item would result in pirated content being displayed in search results alongside legitimate MVPD content.
Substantively, the only way to fix the item is to address the key problems and flaws identified above. Only by doing so would a true app-centric approach be workable for most of the affected companies. More importantly, it’s the only way to get a resolution that would benefit consumers by eliminating the set top box altogether for those interested.