August, 2009

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Protection of Children Prompts Potential FCC Regulation of Internet and Wireless Video Programming and Enhanced State Privacy Rules

Broadcast Law Blog

In the next few days, concerns about the protection of children from indecency and violence could lead to a report from the FCC to Congress urging use of the V Chip and other parental controls in devices other than television sets. Remarks several weeks ago by FCC Chair Julius Genachowski suggesting that the FCC might want to look at content regulation beyond the broadcast medium, a view reiterated in an interview yesterday in TV NewsCheck , also suggest that concerns about the exposure of child

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Code of Ethics for Paralegals

The Paralegal Resource

Although many paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are professionals in their own right. As many people still have the common misconception that a paralegal's place in the law firm consists of little more than being an underling to a superior, it might be a good idea to get a clearer view of the facts, and possibly set this misconception to rest.

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Mini Cooper Ad Request Reminds Broadcasters of No Urban Dictate Certification

Broadcast Law Blog

A request for advertising rates by an ad agency representing the Mini Cooper serves as a reminder to broadcasters of the recently-imposed obligation to insure that broadcast advertisers do not discriminate on the basis of race or gender. As we wrote several months ago, the FCC has adopted a new requirement that a broadcaster certify at license renewal time that their advertising contracts require advertisers certify that they were not making advertising decisions based on the race or gender of t

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Court of Appeals Determines that Launchcast is Not an Interactive Service - Thus Not Needing Direct Licenses From the Record Labels

Broadcast Law Blog

The question of when a digital music service is “ interactive ” and therefore requires direct negotiations with a copyright holder in order to secure permission to use a sound recording is a difficult one that has been debated since the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was adopted in 1998. In a decision of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals released today, upholding a jury decision in 1997, the Court concluded that Yahoo’s Launchcast service (now operated by CBS) is not so &ld

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Trial Prep: What Attorneys Really Want (And How to Deliver It)

Speaker: Joe Stephens, J.D., Attorney and Law Professor

Get ready to uncover what attorneys really need from you when it comes to trial prep in this new webinar! Attorney and law professor, Joe Stephens, J.D., will share proven techniques for anticipating attorney needs, organizing critical documents, and transforming complex information into compelling case presentations. Key Learning Objectives: Organization That Makes Sense 🎯 Learn how to structure and organize case materials in ways that align with how attorneys actually work and think.

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No FCC Rules Against Beer Ads, But NCAA and Other Program Suppliers May Have Their Own Limits

Broadcast Law Blog

Many broadcasters have had the conception that there are FCC rules against liquor advertising , As we wrote in 2007, the FCC has never directly regulated liquor ads. Many years ago, the FCC did ask broadcasters seeking a license if they would rely on the NAB Code of voluntary conduct, which set out limits on broadcaster advertising for alcoholic beverages (essentially forbidding hard liquor ads).

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FCC Regulatory Fees Are Due By September 22, 2009

Broadcast Law Blog

The FCC has announced the due date for their Annual Regulatory Fees - September 22. We wrote about the amount of those fees here , and have just published an advisory summarizing some of the filing details. Our Davis Wright Tremaine Advisory on these fees is available here. Being even one day late with the payment of these fees can result in a penalty late fee of 25% of the amount due - a stiff penalty for being even a little late.

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FCC Announces New Round of EEO Audits for Radio Stations; Reminds Broadcsters of Requirement to Post Annual EEO Public File Report on Station Website, and Cable Companies of Obligation to File EEO Program Annual Report

Broadcast Law Blog

The FCC yesterday issued another in its series of EEO random audit notices , asking that approximately 170 radio stations nationwide provide information about their hiring practices. Information requested includes the last two years worth of broadcast EEO Public File reports , plus more complete documentation of the efforts outlined in the Public File reports and demonstrating that the information provided in the annual report was really conducted and accurately reported.

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FCC Asks for Comment on MusicFirst's Petition Against Broadcasters for On-Air Activities Opposing Radio Performance Royalty

Broadcast Law Blog

The FCC today asked for public comments on the petition of the MusicFirst Coalition asking the Commission to take action against broadcast stations who did not fairly address on air the proposed sound recording public performance royalty for terrestrial radio. The Petition, about which we wrote here , alleges, with very few specifics, that some radio stations have taken adverse actions against musical artists who have spoken out in support of the royalty, and also that stations have refused to r

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Details on Sirius XM and SoundExchange Settlement on Internet Radio Royalties - An Option for Some Commericial Webcasters

Broadcast Law Blog

The recent settlement on Internet radio royalties between Sirius XM Radio and SoundExchange provides yet another option for commercial webcasters trying to determine the royalties to be paid for the public performance of sound recordings. While the settlement is signed by just these two parties, it will be published in the Federal Register and be available for all commercial webcasters who comply with its terms - which will essentially be any webcaster who is not a "Broadcaster" as def

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Amanda Adams, Fractional CFO, CPA

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Amanda Adams, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

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SoundExchange and Corporation for Public Broadcasting Settlement on Internet Radio Royalties for 2011-2015

Broadcast Law Blog

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has entered into a settlement with SoundExchange extending their current agreement on Internet Radio royalties for " Public" radio stations through 2015. The previous deal, about which we wrote here , covered the period from 2006 to 2010. This new agreement picks up in 2011 and covers included stations through 2015.

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FCC's OTARD Rules - Limiting Zoning and Land Use Restrictions on Outdoor TV Antennas

Broadcast Law Blog

Following the digital transition , issues with the reception of some television stations have highlighted the need for the use of outdoor antennas to receive the digital signal. Last week, in three FCC decisions, the Commission made clear that its Over-the-Air Reception Device rules (the " OTARD rules ") prohibit most zoning and other land-use restrictions, both governmental and private, on the use of such antennas.

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Remember to Notify the FCC of the Completion of Construction of New Broadcast Auxiliary Station

Broadcast Law Blog

An FCC decision released today reminds broadcasters of the need to notify the FCC of the completion of construction of a new broadcast auxiliary station. Studio Transmitter Links (STL) and Remote Pickups (RPU) have for several years been licensed through the FCC's Wireless Bureau, rather than through the Media Bureau. Unlike a grant of authority to construct a broadcast station, where the new authorization is granted in the form of a construction permit, when the Wireless Bureau grants a new aut

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How the Effective Application of Technology Can Save Money and Help Win Cases

The Paralegal Resource

People say that we live in a litigious society. There is some truth to that. Litigation often comes unexpectedly, is costly, messy and the outcome isn't always predictable. But as business concerns, we strive to understand our costs and factor them into comprehensive models to assure profits. The role of in-house counsel has grown in recent years in an effort to become more proactive in limiting exposure and controlling the costs which can threaten profits.

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Paralegal Power Move: Your Guide to Getting the Tech Tools That Maximize Your Time

Your time is valuable—and you know the right technology could help you do even more. From document management to client communication, modern tools can transform how you track deadlines, manage cases, and support your legal team. This practical playbook shows you how to: Compare and evaluate technology vendors Understand all costs and ROI potential Build a compelling presentation Handle common objections Pitch your solution like a pro Created by legal technology experts who understand how pivota

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Planning Ahead for Video Testimony Can Save Cost and Lead to Advantages at Trial or Mediation

The Paralegal Resource

When I started in the Paralegal profession, the use of video testimony was limited to impeachment or when a witness was not able to appear in court and their non-appearance had to be excused by the Trial Judge. Video testimony was limited to a VHS or BETA tape and it was extremely difficult to skip over portions of the video that were not played to the Jury.

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Wireless Issues Dominate August FCC Open Meeting; No Media Issues Included

Broadcast Law Blog

The Commission today announced the agenda for its August 27, 2009 FCC Open Meeting. The agenda contains two Notices of Inquiry involving Wireless Telecommunications matters, as well as a Notice of Inquiry Notice of Inquiry about protecting American consumers by ensuring sufficient access to information about communications services. The first of the Wireless NOIs seeks input regarding the factors that encourage innovation and investment in wireless services and aims to identify concrete steps th

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Court-Based Mediation- Expanding Access to Justice in Developing Societies

The Paralegal Resource

This paper discusses, general aspects of court-based mediation in selected regions for economically developing countries using civil law systems. It is a broad overview. It examines court-based mediation in selected regions where the speakers have experience, briefly will compare Court-Annexed and the Court-Referred models, will investigate the cultural and historical influences affecting the choice of the court-based mediation model, and will discuss the role of the jurists as mediators.

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Details of Webcasting Royalty Settlements for Noncommercial Webcasters Including Educational and Religious Internet Radio Operators

Broadcast Law Blog

Noncommercial webcasters were provided with two royalty options under settlements reached with SoundExchange pursuant to the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009 ("WSA"). One settlement was with Noncommercial Educational Webcasters. The other, when announced, was characterized by SoundExchange as being a settlement with noncommercial religious broadcasters, though it applies to any noncommercial webcaster who elects to be subject to its terms.

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Case Study: Maximize Client Compensation by Unlocking the Power of Diminished Value

Your auto accident clients don’t realize that they have lost value in their vehicle because the insurance company covered their repairs and gave them a rental to drive until their vehicle was “brand new.” When they realize that loss in value is when they go to trade or sell their car.

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Broadcasters Beware: Failure to Timely Renew Earth Stations Can Draw Large Fines

Broadcast Law Blog

The Commission today released yet another forfeiture for what has become an increasingly common oversight among broadcasters -- the failure to timely file a license renewal application for a satellite earth station. What made today's forfeiture unique, however, is the fact that the Commission proposed to double the amount of the forfeiture based on the size of the broadcast licensee and its presumed ability to pay such a fine.

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Some Short Notes on Policy Research Using Government Sources

The Paralegal Resource

One of the best ways to research public policy issues is to use government created reports. There are various agencies that research and advise Congress and the Executive Branch. Typically Congress will make a request to the General Accountability Office (GAO) or the Congressional Research Service (CRS, a division of the Library of Congress) to examine a policy, a budget impact on implementing that policy, or alternatives that Congress may consider in place of that policy.

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Don't Like Mediation Confidentiality? Hold a Settlement Conference Instead Available to Non-Members

The Paralegal Resource

Here in California, there's no stronger rule of confidentiality than that applied to a mediation. It cannot be impliedly waived like most privileges, including the near-sacred attorney-client privilege. Simmons v. Ghaderi, 2008 DJDAR 11107. You cannot be estopped from relying on it. Eisendrath v. Superior Court, 109 Cal.App.4th 351 (2003). And if you want your mediated settlement agreement enforced, you must strictly comply with the requirements of Evidence Code Section 1123.

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Teaching a Veteran Paralegal New Tricks Thinking Outside the Box from the Inside

The Paralegal Resource

Are you facing challenges in your duties as a paralegal? Have you been assigned a new case in area you are not really familiar with? Are you worried you do not know what to do next? If you are in this category, you are not alone. With the challenges facing today's law firm, many paralegals need to learn new concepts in order to handle new clients or cases.

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Enhance Your Legal Document Translations with The Ultimate Comprehensive Checklist

Are you a paralegal professional aiming to elevate your practice and ensure impeccable translation of every legal document you handle? Cesco’s Legal Document Translation Checklist is your ultimate guide to achieving excellence. Learn how to prepare for translation by identifying your audience and selecting qualified translators. Simplify and review documents to ensure clarity and consistency.

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Broadcast Performance Royalty - What Would It Cost? The Congressional Budget Office Says A "Substantial" Amount

Broadcast Law Blog

One of the fundamental questions that surrounds the proposed broadcast performance royalty for the use of sound recordings by over-the-air (or the " performance tax " as it has been labeled by the NAB) is how much it could it cost a broadcaster? Right now, that question is difficult to determine, as the pending bills do not themselves provide any details as to what the fees would be, except for noncommercial entities and for small broadcasters for whom fixed yearly fees are proposed.

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The Broadcast Performance Royalty - Not Dead Yet, as Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing on Tuesday

Broadcast Law Blog

Even though the National Association of Broadcasters has been successful in getting about 240 Congressional Representatives (far more than a majority of the House of Representatives) to sign onto a resolution opposing the adoption of a performance royalty for the use of sound recordings by broadcasters in their over-the-air programming , the efforts to enact that legislation have not died.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Radio Performance Royalty and Platform Parity for Webcaster Royalties

Broadcast Law Blog

On Tuesday, just before the Senate recesses for its summer vacation, an abridged version of the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the proposed sound recording performance royalty for over-the-air radio. Internet radio royalties were also encompassed in this discussion, principally concerning the issue of " platform parity ", i.e. whether all music services subject to the sound recording performance royalty should pay a royalty determined by the same standard, or perhaps even