Legal Memorandums
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FCC ADOPTS LAST-MINUTE CHANGE IN EAS RULES
Description:
Thursday afternoon, a mere four days before it was to become effective, the FCC
released an Order reversing course on the text-to-speech ban.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 24630
- Added On: 4/23/2012
FEDERAL COURT STRIKES DOWN BAN ON POLITICAL AND ISSUE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTERS
Description:
Last week, a federal court based in California issued a surprising and sure to be controversial decision finding the Communication Act’s ban on the airing of political and issue advertisements by public broadcasters to be a violation of their First Amendment
rights.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 36670
- Added On: 4/19/2012
EAS Reminders
Description:
Several important emergency alert system (“EAS”) deadlines are on the horizon.
All broadcasters should take steps to ensure timely compliance with the the items in the memorandum.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 30571
- Added On: 4/19/2012
Definition of MVPD
Description:
This is a memorandum regarding an FCC proceeding that will define the term “MVPD.” As discussed in the Memorandum, the definition of “MVPD” has important implications for retransmission consent.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 44952
- Added On: 4/13/2012
FCC Adopts Rules for Internet Closed Captioning
Description:
FCC Adopts Internet Rules for Cosed-Captioning
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 42042
- Added On: 3/8/2012
FCC Adopts EAS Rules
Description:
FCC ADOPTS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (“EAS”) RULES FOR
COMMON ALERTING PROTOCOL (“CAP”) FORMATTING
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 38489
- Added On: 2/27/2012
FCC Proposes to Liberalize Cross-Ownership Rules
Description:
FCC PROPOSES TO LIBERALIZE THE NEWSPAPER/BROADCAST CROSSOWNERSHIP
RULE AND ELIMINATE THE RADIO/TELEVISION
CROSS-OWNERSHIP RULE
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 39842
- Added On: 2/27/2012
The Randall Terry Decision and What it Means for Broadcasters
Description:
On the Friday before the Super Bowl, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued an order allowing Chicago television station WMAQ to deny purported Presidential candidate Randall Terry the right to purchase political advertisements during the Super Bowl....
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 37519
- Added On: 2/21/2012
FCC Fines Stations for EEO Violations and Commission Study on Low-Power Radio
Description:
In the final days of 2011, the FCC issued two decisions in which it fined
two broadcast employment units a total of $22,000 for violations of the
FCC’s EEO rules.
The FCC recently released the results of an economic study finding that
LPFM stations have little impact on the economic health of full-service
commercial FM radio stations in the same market.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 48121
- Added On: 2/9/2012
Mission Abstract Data Sends Out New Round of Demand Letters
Description:
Many radio stations have recently received correspondence from a company identified as Mission Abstract Data, L.L.C. (“MAD”) claiming that the station has violated two of their patents and enclosing a proposed “Patent License Agreement.”
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 38763
- Added On: 12/2/2011
FCC Reverses Individual Closed Captioning Exemptions
Description:
The FCC recently reversed nearly 300 individual exemptions for program providers (primarily religious and church organizations) from the closed captioning rules and will now require those petitioners to file new petitions for an “undue burden” exemption.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 38928
- Added On: 12/2/2011
GAO Report on Eliminating Copyright Licenses for Retransmission
Description:
On November 23, 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a
report discussing the potential impact of eliminating the statutory compulsory copyright
licenses that allow cable and satellite companies to retransmit local broadcast signals.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 33482
- Added On: 11/29/2011
November 2011 Legal Review
Description:
FCC launches proceeding to replace TV issues/programming lists with new standardized online disclosure form
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 42793
- Added On: 11/21/2011
October 2011 Legal Review
Description:
FCC to consider enhanced disclosure
Petitions requests flexibility for non-reserved FM stations
Auction of FM Construction Permits
Energy saving Transmitter Technology for AM
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 66641
- Added On: 10/26/2011
September 2011 legal Review
Description:
FCC Order reinstating Video Description Rules
Deadline extended for 2011 Biennial Ownership Reports for commercial stations
FCC adopts rules and seeks comment in rulemaking regardgin BAS and Fixed Microwave
Payola Consent Degree
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 62624
- Added On: 9/19/2011
Jobs Bill Proposes Spectrum Auctions
Description:
President's Jobs Bill proposes spectrum auctions for TV and new user fees for Radio
DownloadData:
- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 30422
- Added On: 9/21/2011
Move In Freeze
Description:
A legal memorandum regarding a clarification of the freeze on FM translator "move-in" applications. As discussed in the memorandum, the FCC staff has clarified that the freeze will only apply to applications in spectrum-limited markets.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 404489
- Added On: 9/1/2011
Radio Station License Renewals
Description:
Attached is a legal memorandum regarding radio station license renewals. As discussed in the memorandum, all Virginia radio stations must electronically file their FCC license renewal applications by June 1, 2011. Please let us know if there are any questions.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 34399
- Added On: 2/25/2011
Video Description Legislation
Description:
Enclosed is a legal memorandum regarding video description legislation. As discussed in the memorandum, President Obama has signed the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 into law.
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- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 50344
- Added On: 11/3/2010
Performance Tax Issue
Description:
Enclosed is a legal memorandum from our office regarding the performance tax issue. As discussed in the memorandum, late last week, the National Association of Broadcasters released a summary of a concept being discussed with MusicFirst, the advocacy group that represents recording artists and record companies, for settlement of the performance tax issue. Please let us know if there are any questions.
DownloadData:
- File Type: pdf
- File Size: 41878
- Added On: 8/12/2010