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Don’t Wait to File Distant Signal Copyright Claims

As we noted in last week’s post, television stations eligible to file 2018 distant signal copyright royalty claims with the United States Copyright Royalty Board must do so by July 31, 2019.  While that due date still seems far away (especially to those accustomed to the FCC’s real-time electronic filing…

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

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…

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A Look at This Week’s Changes to the FCC’s KidVid Rules

At its July 2019 Open Meeting this week, the FCC voted to make several changes to its Children’s Television Programming rules.  It released its final Order adopting the changes this afternoon.  Although characterized by Commissioner O’Rielly as “modest” changes, the revised rules are likely to alter television broadcasters’ compliance efforts…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ June 2019

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: Investigation Into Undisclosed Radio Station Owner With a History of Felonies Leads to Hearing Designation Order FCC Settles With Alaskan…

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In Battle Against Robocalls, FCC Opens the Door to More Aggressive Call Blocking

For many consumers, answering a phone call from an unknown number has effectively turned into a gamble. Is it a potential new client? A medical emergency? Or, more likely, is it an incredible offer-to-stay-at-a-Caribbean-resort-of-your-choosing-please-hold-for-a-representative? Not surprisingly, no issue generates more complaints at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ May 2019

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 Settles With Golf Club Operator Over Unauthorized Transfer of 108 Private Wireless Licenses FCC Warns Traffic Management Company Over…

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Next National EAS Test Is August 7, and Comes With a Twist

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formally notified the FCC that FEMA has scheduled the next nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for August 7, 2019 at 2:20 p.m. FEMA states that this year’s test will differ from the nationwide tests that have been conducted over…

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A Radio Broadcaster’s Guide to License Renewal

The state-by-state license renewal cycle for radio stations that will take place over the next three years commenced on April 1, 2019. That was when the first batch of radio broadcasters (DC, MD, VA, and WV) began airing their pre-filing announcements ahead of the June 1, 2019[1] filing date for…

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FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ April 2019

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 Revokes License for Unpaid Regulatory Fees; Warns Other Stations of Similar Fate Texas Station Warned Over Multiple Tower and…

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C-Band Certification Deadline Nearing

Last April, the broadcast industry was abuzz with the need to register previously unlicensed earth stations in order to reduce the chance of future displacement. In April 2018, the deadline for submitting the registrations was announced, and after two extensions, all fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth stations in use prior to…