2009

article thumbnail

Don't Use "Super Bowl" in an Ad Without Permission - But How About in Other Programming?

Broadcast Law Blog

The term "Super Bowl" is a trademark owned by the National Football League, and it is protected very aggressively. What does that mean? The biggest no-no of all is to use the term "Super Bowl" in any advertising or promotional announcements that are not sanctioned by the NFL. This prohibition includes sweepstakes and contests as well.

article thumbnail

Pro Bono Work Is Important For A Paralegal

The Paralegal Resource

Although you probably love your job as a paralegal, there is something else that you can do in addition to your regular job. Pro Bono work is a way in which you can use your knowledge, skills, and experience, to benefit others. Not only does Pro Bono work provide a much-needed service to people who would not otherwise be able to have the benefit of legal assistance, it can give you a great deal of personal satisfaction at the same time.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

ASCAP and BMI - Another Royalty Battle for Broadcasters?

Broadcast Law Blog

While we have written much about the battle over the broadcast performance royalty (or the " performance tax " as broadcasters call is) - whether broadcasters will have to pay artists and record labels for the right to play their music on the air - we have not written much about another looming issue with the royalties that broadcasters must pay to play music on their stations.

article thumbnail

6 Contract Data Analytics Tools To Boost Contract Oversight

Analyzing contract trends with manual contract management is like sifting through a pile of papers in a dimly lit room, trying to find clues manually. Advanced CLM software’s contract data analytics, on the other hand, is like having an AI-based, intelligent magnifying glass that not only highlights key clues but also connects the dots for you. With innovative, AI-powered contract data analytics, you can solve the mystery of trends faster and with greater accuracy, making informed decisions base

article thumbnail

Copyright Royalty Board Requires Census Reporting for All Webcasters Except for Small Broadcasters

Broadcast Law Blog

The Copyright Royalty Board has ordered that most digital music services provide " census reporting " of all songs played by their service, along with other information including the number of listeners who heard each song each time it was played. The decision, published in the Federal Register today, is a follow up to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking about which we wrote here , proposing this new permanent rule to replace the interim requirements that required that digital music serv

61

More Trending

article thumbnail

DTV Station Reminder: FCC Form 317 Reporting of Ancillary Services Due Dec. 1st

Broadcast Law Blog

By December 1, 2009 , all commercial and noncommercial digital television (DTV) stations must electronically file an FCC Form 317 with the Commission reporting on whether the station has provided any ancillary and supplementary services over their digital spectrum during the twelve-month period ending on September 30, 2009. Under the Commission's Rules, in addition to providing free over-the-air broadcast television, DTV stations are permitted to offer services of any nature, consistent with the

article thumbnail

Beginning Oct. 1st AM Radio Comes to the FM Dial

Broadcast Law Blog

With today's Federal Register publication of the FCC's recent Order amending the rules governing FM Translator stations , the date is officially set at October 1st for when AM stations can begin to rebroadcast their signals on FM translators. Beginning October 1st, the long-standing prohibition on rebroadcasting AM radio on FM translators is off the books and translators are free to pick up an AM signal.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

FCC Inspections - Fines for Violations of Rules on Main Studio, EAS, and Public File

Broadcast Law Blog

Last week, the FCC issued several fines to broadcasters for failure to observe some basic FCC rules. As there many FCC rules to observe, broadcasters should use the misfortune of others who have suffered from these fines as a way to check their own operations to make sure that they meet all of the required Commission standards. In the recent cases, fines were issued for a variety of violations, including the failure to have a manned main studio, the failure to have a working EAS system, incomple

59
article thumbnail

The Tech-Savvy Paralegals Playbook: How To Leverage AI

Speaker: Allison Mears, Adela Wekselblatt, and George Socha

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal industry, and paralegals are at the forefront of this transformation. As AI becomes more integrated into legal workflows, paralegals can streamline their daily tasks, enhance efficiency, and add greater value to their firms and organizations. But what exactly does AI mean for paralegals today—and how can you leverage it to your advantage?

article thumbnail

Using Twitter, Facebook or MySpace at Your Station? DWT Seminar to Provide Employer's Guide to Legal Issues of the Social Media

Broadcast Law Blog

At more and more broadcast conventions, station owners have been asking questions about their legal liability for the use of social media. What is their liability for the use of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or other services? Could owners have liability if their station maintains its own page on which friends and followers may post statements which are defamatory or which could otherwise give rise to a lawsuit?

Legal 58
article thumbnail

Could Calls on the FCC for More Spectrum Lead to the End of Over The Air TV?

Broadcast Law Blog

An article from TV NewsCheck last week reported on an approach by an FCC representative to television operators, floating an idea that the FCC would "buy" TV spectrum from existing television station operators , and repurpose that spectrum for wireless users - presumably some sort of wireless broadband. The funds to buy the spectrum would come from the auction of the frequencies.

58
article thumbnail

A Full Five Person FCC - What's Next For Broadcasters?

Broadcast Law Blog

For the first time since the term of FCC Commissioner Tate expired and Chairman Martin resigned, the FCC will be back to full strength with the Senate's approval of new FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Attwell Baker. What issues of importance to broadcasters will the Commission, now headed by Chairman Julius Genachowski , take up in coming months?

Legal 56
article thumbnail

Letters From ASCAP, BMI and RMLC - What's a Broadcaster to Do?

Broadcast Law Blog

Radio broadcasters all over the country have been receiving letters about music royalties – from ASCAP , BMI and the Radio Music Licensing Committee (RMLC). The ASCAP and BMI letters are asking for the broadcaster to sign a letter committing themselves to some royalty obligation for 2010. They pose three options to the broadcaster – sign up to pay royalties for 2010, join the RMLC negotiating group, or notify ASCAP and BMI that they will be negotiating their own royalties.

article thumbnail

Excellence in Trial: A Strategic Guide for Modern Paralegals

Modern trial practice has evolved beyond basic organization. With technology reshaping courtrooms and attorneys expecting more than ever, paralegals need to elevate their capabilities while mastering the fundamentals of trial excellence. This comprehensive guide from Steno, built from author Joe Stephens' real-world experience as both a practicing attorney and law professor, provides a blueprint for delivering exceptional trial support in today's complex legal environment.

article thumbnail

December 15 Deadline Set for Broadcasters to File Ownership Reports on New Form 323

Broadcast Law Blog

As we expected , the FCC has set the date for the filing of the newly revised Ownership Reports on the revised FCC Form 323. All commercial broadcast stations nationwide will need to file by December 15 , according to the Public Notice released today. According to the Public Notice, the Form will be available in the FCC's CDBS electronic filing system by approximately November 16, and licensees can start to file as soon as the form is available.

56
article thumbnail

Look for New Ownership Report Soon With Filing Deadline Likely for December

Broadcast Law Blog

The FCC's struggles to get a new FCC Ownership Report adopted, and to establish a uniform filing date for ownership reports from all commercial broadcasters, seems to be coming to an end. The new Form 323 Ownership Report was approved by the Office of Management and Budget last week, with the OMB apparently finding the FCC's recent revisions of the form (about which we wrote here ) to be sufficient to answer objections that had been raised about its paperwork burden.

Lawyer 56
article thumbnail

FCC Commences Proceeding on Children and Electronic Media

Broadcast Law Blog

On Friday, the Commission formally began a rule making proceeding regarding children and electronic media. Aware of the vast opportunities, but also the potential risks inherent in today's (and tomorrow's) electronic media, the Commission is seeking to gather information about the extent to which children are using media today, the benefits and risks of the various technologies, and the ways in which society can improve the benefits while minimizing the risks.

article thumbnail

FCC Releases Agenda for First Workshop on Revisions to its Multiple Ownership Rules - Localism and Economic Competition Issues Included

Broadcast Law Blog

The FCC has released the agenda for its Workshop on the multiple ownership rules (about which we wrote here ). The workshop will span three mornings (November 2-4), and will include live testimony from a different panel each morning. The first panel will include the academic perspective on ownership rules, the second the view from "public interest organizations", and the third from industry representatives, though the participants on that panel are, at this point, the most unsettled.

Statute 56
article thumbnail

Transform Your E-Learning: Download the Ultimate Localization Use Case!

Uncover the secret to breaking language barriers and expanding your e-learning reach! This powerful use case reveals how Cesco Linguistic Services transformed 19 training modules for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood into culturally relevant courses in Arabic and Spanish—delivered on time and exceeding expectations. Learn how to localize your content seamlessly, avoid costly pitfalls, and connect with diverse audiences like never before.

article thumbnail

STA Request Saves Broadcast Station License From Cancellation For Being Off the Air for A Full Year

Broadcast Law Blog

Section 312(g) of the Communications Act authorizes the FCC to cancel the license of any broadcast station that has not operated for a full year. In a recent case , the Commission clarified when it would choose to use that authority to cancel the license of a station that had not been on the air with authorized facilities within that one year period.

article thumbnail

Ownership Report Filing Requirement Officially Suspended Until New Form 323 is Approved by the OMB

Broadcast Law Blog

Just this morning, we posted a comment about the new FCC Form 323 Ownership Report that was supposed to be required of all commercial broadcasters on November 1 of this year, and then on November 1 of every other year thereafter. We wrote about how the approval of the form by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act had been held up, and that the November 1 filing deadline looked unlikely.

56
article thumbnail

FCC Plans Public Workshops to be Held in Connection with Its Review of Broadcast Ownership Rules

Broadcast Law Blog

In a Public Notice issued yesterday, the FCC announced that they would do a series of open "workshops" in connection with its review of the broadcast multiple ownership rules - the rules that restrict the number of radio or television stations which one party can own and which restrict the cross-ownership of radio and TV stations and newspapers in the same market.

Court 56
article thumbnail

FCC Says It Will Stay Out of Programming Decisions - On Same Day MusicFirst Petition Comments Were Due

Broadcast Law Blog

Last week, the FCC released a decision denying objections to the sale of the NY Times-owned radio station in New York City - objections based on the fears of certain listeners that the sale would mean the loss of the station's classical music service. In rejecting the petitions, the FCC relied on the long-standing policy of the FCC not to get into format questions , citing a thirty year old policy statement, upheld by a Supreme Court decision, which found that such review "would not benefit

article thumbnail

Uncovering The Hidden Connections: A Patent Family Survival Guide

Speaker: Andrew Klein

Are there mysteries lurking in your family tree? 🕵 No, not a long-lost half-brother - I'm talking about a patent family tree! IP paralegals need fast and easy ways to verify and report on essential data about foreign equivalents of US assets. Join us to master the global scope of key assets to support prosecution, portfolio management, litigation, licensing, competitive monitoring and more!

article thumbnail

Operating Broadcast Stations in an Emergency - AM Operations at Night, STAs and Other Issues

Broadcast Law Blog

The threat from the recent fires to the tower farm on Mount Wilson from which many of the radio and television stations serving the Los Angeles area operate highlight the need for broadcasters to have an emergency plan in the event that some local catastrophe affects their tower site. The fact that this fire comes near to the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, where many broadcasters lost power, but where others where able to provide a lifeline to their communities, reminds broadcasters that emer

article thumbnail

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

Court 56
article thumbnail

Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys Speak at Future of Television Conference

Broadcast Law Blog

DWT attorneys David Oxenford and Ronnie London both spoke at the Future of Television - East Conference held in New York City on November 18-19, 2009. Dave delivered introductory remarks to the Conference, and participated with Shelly Palmer, Host of MediaBytes , in a discussion " What's the Industry Buzz." Dave discussed the role of Washington in the Future of Television, outlining the issues facing "television" in its broadest sense - including broadband deployment, net neu

article thumbnail

Congressional Supporters of Performance Royalty Tell NAB to Negotiate With Music Industry - Will It Resolve Anything?

Broadcast Law Blog

This week, six Congressional supporters of the broadcast performance royalty wrote a letter calling upon the NAB to sit down with music industry representatives to reach a "negotiated resolution" of the "longstanding disagreement" in a session to last from November 17 through December 1. The letter suggests that the negotiations will be supervised by Members of Congress and the staff of the Judiciary Committees of Congress, with a report to be made by the Committee staff at t

Laws 53
article thumbnail

AI for Paralegals: Everything You Need to Know (and How to Use It Safely)

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

Ready to cut through the AI hype and learn exactly how to use these tools in your legal work? Join this webinar to get practical guidance from attorney and AI legal expert, Joe Stephens, who understands what really matters for legal professionals! What You'll Learn: Evaluate AI Tools Like a Pro 🔍 Learn which tools are worth your time and how to spot potential security and ethics risks before they become problems.