Internet & Online

FCC Adopts Rules Requiring Broadband Providers to Display Point-of-Sale Labels and Proposes New Rules Promoting Equal Access to Broadband Services

By Glenn S. Richards and Elizabeth Craig|2023-01-10T12:28:41-06:00January 10th, 2023|Legal News|

Broadband Providers Required to Display Point of Sale Labels On November 17, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order (Order) adopting rules requiring broadband internet service providers (ISPs or providers) to prominently display labels disclosing information about broadband prices, rates, data allowances and broadband speeds. The FCC has not yet announced […]

FCC Seeks Comment on Accelerating Broadband Deployment in Multi-Tenant Buildings and Preempts Wire-Sharing Requirement in San Francisco Ordinance

By Glenn S. Richards and Joseph A. Cohen|2019-07-15T10:02:40-05:00July 15th, 2019|Legal News|

The availability of broadband Internet service in apartment buildings, condominiums, and office buildings, or what the FCC calls multiple tenant environments (MTE), was the subject of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Declaratory Ruling released on Friday of last week. Prior FCC decisions have attempted to strike a balance between promoting competitive access to […]

Deadline to Avoid Pre-1972 Sound Recording Statutory Damages Is Almost Here

By Lee G. Petro|2019-04-08T05:15:57-05:00April 8th, 2019|Legal News|

Embedded in the Music Modernization Act signed into law in 2018 was a provision that extended most federal copyright protections to pre-1972 sound recordings. Prior to the enactment of the MMA, sound recordings made prior to February 15, 1972, may have been protected under state law, but federal copyright law protections did not apply. While […]

5G for People in a Hurry

By Glenn S. Richards and Joseph A. Cohen|2018-10-22T12:39:09-05:00October 22nd, 2018|Legal News|

The FCC will take a number of significant actions in the final months of 2018 to facilitate the development of 5G, the fifth generation of wireless cellular technology. First, at its October meeting tomorrow, it will vote on making a portion of mid-band spectrum (2.5 to 4.2 GHz) available for 5G use. Second, it will launch […]

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ June 2018

By Scott R. Flick and Warren Kessler|2018-06-25T15:22:05-05:00June 25th, 2018|Legal News|

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: HEADLINES: Media Bureau Hits Michigan Radio Station for Low Power Snafu Online Retailer Faces $2,861,128 Forfeiture for Selling Unauthorized Drone Parts Enforcement Bureau Issues Advisory […]

Federal Law Now Prohibits Censoring Unfavorable Reviews

By Michael P. Heuga, Amy Pierce and Catherine D. Meyer|2017-03-13T08:37:11-05:00March 13th, 2017|Legal News|

Under a new federal law, businesses are forbidden from restricting, prohibiting or penalizing consumer-posted reviews of the business or its goods and services. The Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016 goes into effect tomorrow, March 14, 2017, and declares unlawful any “form contract” that prohibits or restricts the ability of an individual to engage in […]

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ February 2017

By Scott R. Flick, Jessica Nyman and Joseph A. Cohen|2017-02-23T17:55:21-06:00February 23rd, 2017|Legal News|

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: FCC Proposes $25,000 Fine Against Individual for Operating a Pirate Radio Station FCC Admonishes Wireless Carrier for Data Breach Telecommunications Relay Service Providers Agree to […]

Letters From the Public: Pai FCC Takes First Step on Broadcast Deregulation

By Scott R. Flick|2017-01-31T11:44:24-06:00January 31st, 2017|Legal News|

It took a while to get to this point, but at the first public meeting of the Pai FCC, the Commission voted today to eliminate the requirement that stations maintain “Letters and Emails from the Public” in their public inspection files. As discussed below, that decision will have differing impacts on TV and radio stations, […]

FTC Action Against Lord & Taylor Social Media Campaign Has Repercussions for Broadcasters

By Lauren Lynch Flick|2016-03-24T18:43:15-05:00March 24th, 2016|Legal News|

Consumer protection is always in style at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC”). When 50 fashion “influencers” flooded Instagram, all wearing the same dress in photos tagged “@lordandtaylor”, and an article featuring the same dress appeared in the online fashion magazine Nylon, some at the FTC suspected an advertising campaign masquerading as a social media dialogue. […]