Like telemarketing “robocalls” that never seem to go away, the FCC’s attempts to clarify important and difficult statutory and regulatory issues under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) seem to constantly reoccur. Now the FCC is trying again, with a Public Notice seeking comments on: the definition of an “automatic telephone dialing system” (ATDS), how … Continue Reading
Robocalls – everyone has strong feelings about them. In many cases they serve a useful function, but they are often unwanted and/or fraudulent, and they are the largest source of consumer complaints to the FCC. In response, the FCC in 2015 issued a Declaratory Ruling and Order intended to broaden the number of calls subject … Continue Reading
Robocalls – everyone has strong feelings about them. In many cases robocalls, or automated calls and text messages, serve a useful function (and not just for telemarketing). But unfortunately, they are often unwanted and/or fraudulent, and they are the largest source of consumer complaints to the FCC. In response, the FCC in 2015 issued a … Continue Reading
Robocalls – everyone has strong feelings about them. In many cases robocalls, or automated calls and text messages, serve a useful function (and not just for telemarketing). But unfortunately, they are often unwanted and/or fraudulent, and they are the largest source of consumer complaints to the FCC. In response, the FCC in 2015 issued a … Continue Reading
Robocalls – everyone has strong feelings about them. In many cases robocalls, or automated calls and text messages, serve a useful function (and not just for telemarketing). But unfortunately, they are often unwanted and/or fraudulent, and they are the largest source of consumer complaints to the FCC. In response, the FCC in 2015 issued a … Continue Reading
The opposing factions in the Aereo War seem to have agreed on a time (now) and a place (the Supreme Court) for their Armageddon. Now if only the Court will cooperate.… Continue Reading
Score a big one for the broadcasters! A federal district judge in the District of Columbia has enjoined the service formerly known as AereoKiller from operating its dime-sized antenna set-up anywhere in the country (except in New York, Connecticut or Vermont).… Continue Reading
An FCC proposal would abandon "special use FRNs" in Ownership Reports and require social security number-based FRNs instead . . . for noncommercial licensees, too!… Continue Reading
Here's a report on last night's demonstration of the new online public file system. And heads up -- if you didn't make it to last night's demo, the FCC has scheduled another for today, August 1, at 12 Noon (ET). Since the new public file rule takes effect tomorrow, August 2, there's no time like the present.… Continue Reading
With the August 2 effective date of the online TV public file rule just a couple of days away, more information about the FCC's system is bubbling to the surface. And check it out -- even though the rule hasn't kicked in yet.one of its elements has already been waived!… Continue Reading
The Commission will be conducting two online "screensharing" demonstrations of its new public file system. Heads up, though -- the first one is this Monday morning (July 30) at 9:00 a.m.… Continue Reading
It looks like, barring some unanticipated last-minute development, the FCC's online public file rule for TV stations will take effect on August 2, 2012.… Continue Reading
The NAB has replied to the FCC's opposition to the NAB's request that the effective date of the TV online public file rule be stayed.… Continue Reading
Just in time to give you something to read at the beach over the weekend, here's the FCC's opposition to the NAB's motion for stay of the online TV public file rule. And as a bonus, we're also sending along a copy of a second opposition, filed by a collection of intervenors who were just let into the case yesterday.… Continue Reading
As predicted, the NAB has asked the D.C. Circuit to stay the FCC's seemingly irresistible juggernaut toward implementing the revised TV public file rule as of August 2.… Continue Reading
The Media Bureau has reminded commercial broadcasters that their biennial Ownership Reports (Form 323) are due to be filed by December 1, 2012. But the Bureau doesn't mention some information that we think all Form 323 filers are entitled to know.… Continue Reading
The Commission has announced that the time has come for the next round of biennial Ownership Reports (Form 323) for commercial broadcasters -- and it's already pushed the deadline back a month, to December 1, 2011. But watch out -- the Commission's notice says nothing about the effective elimination of the all-encompassing SSN-based FRN requirement.… Continue Reading
Last week's Court decision effectively confirmed that nobody needs to provide his/her Social Security Number (SSN) for a new FRN in order to file ANY Ownership Report - biennial or otherwise - until further notice.… Continue Reading
The FCC has responded to the Form 323 mandamus petition in the D.C. Circuit, and the petitioners have replied. Read all about it here.… Continue Reading
With the July 8 deadline for filing commercial ownership reports fast approaching, the D.C. Circuit has ordered the FCC to respond to claims that the revised Form 323 filing requirements were not imposed lawfully.… Continue Reading
