It's official. The Media Bureau has announced that the new biennial Ownership Report (FCC Form 323) is due to be filed by December 15, 2009.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has issued a Public Notice clarifying a number of questions that have arisen about who gets to use the moment modeling method (for AM directional proofs) and under what circumstances. If you plan to use that method, you should check the Notice out first.… Continue Reading
The FCC has issued a new Notice of Inquiry entitled "Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape". It reads like a cross between an undergraduate course in child psychology and a weekend program on "modern parenting" that might be offered at the local community center.… Continue Reading
That was quick. The Commission has announced that it is postponing the upcoming opportunity to file for certain vacant NCE-reserved channels just a week after it first announced that opportunity.… Continue Reading
We previously reported that the FCC was planning to open a proceeding looking to adopt formal Net Neutrality rules. True to its word, the Commission has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) doing just that.… Continue Reading
Judge comes down for Facebook in defamation action We’ve previously written about Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), a statute which immunizes an “interactive” content provider or other computer service from most liability for content posted to the site by third parties. To the gazillions of people whose feelings have been hurt by … Continue Reading
In a bold move guaranteed to generate heated debate, National Public Radio has asked the Commission to dump Channel 6 protection obligations which have long been imposed on NCE-FM stations.… Continue Reading
Surprising many oddsmakers, the OMB has approved the FCC's revised Ownership Report (FCC Form 323) for commercial broadcast licensees. The new form still isn't ready for prime-time: the FCC first has to issue a public notice, but that could come any day now, with the deadline for filing at least 30 days after that notice.… Continue Reading
The FCC has announced an immediate freeze on certain FM allotment proposals -- and an eventual freeze on ALL FM applications -- in light of the upcoming December filing window for 67 FM channels reserved for non-commercial use.… Continue Reading
The Commission has announced that, between December 11-18, 2009, it will open a filing window opportunity for certain vacant FM allotments. The channels up for grabs are in the commercial portion of the FM band, BUT they have been reserved for NON-commercial use.… Continue Reading
It may not be surprising that the Senate Judiciary Committee passed S.379, the Senate's version of the Performance Rights Act, but the odds are still against the successful enactment of the PRA.… Continue Reading
A reader asked us if Google Voice can legally refuse to place phone calls to some areas. Two days later, the FCC asked Google the same thing. The bad news - any answer that Google might give will spell trouble for the phone system.… Continue Reading
After years of proposals and deliberations and interim policies, the Copyright Royalty Board has published "final rules" dictating the playlist reporting requirements for webcasters. But the "new" rules may be of little more than academic interest to many.… Continue Reading
Two days into its 2009-2010 term, the Supreme Court sank its teeth into a case which could have a profound impact on all First Amendment free speech rights, and particularly those of the news media. Kevin Goldberg attended the argument in U.S. v. Stevens - read his report here.… Continue Reading
Advocates of net neutrality will tell you that net neutrality is the "First Amendment of the Internet." This is an interesting way of looking at the First Amendment . . . because it is backward.… Continue Reading
In a sharp about-face, AT&T announced it will let iPhone users access VoIP services over the 3G channel after all. Why should non-iPhone users care? Read about it here.… Continue Reading
Want to be in a database of broadcast outlets being compiled by the U.S. Census to publicize - what else? - the 2010 Census. Here's the scoop.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has announced, on its own motion, that it is extending the deadline for commercial broadcast licensees to file their initial revised Ownership Reports (FCC Form 323).… Continue Reading
A recent FCC Notice of Inquiry asked for comment on how to reduce various kinds of regulatory delay. Our colleague Mitch Lazarus told them.… Continue Reading
In a proceeding that has moved at glacial speed, even by FCC standards, the Commission has opened a window to allow noncommercial applicants that are mutually exclusive with certain commercial applicants to amend their applications to specify commercial operations by October 30, 2009.… Continue Reading
A Federal District Judge in California has rejected a Lanham Act claim by former NFL great Jim Brown, who alleged that EA Sports falsely implied that he endorsed Madden NFL games.… Continue Reading
