Both Chambers of Congress are considering legislation that would amend the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). Introduced in the House by Congressman Pallone (H.R. 6026) and in the Senate (S. 3078) by Senator Markey, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act adds a new definition, “robocall,” in place of “automated telephone dialing system.” The new term would
Category Archives: Technology, Media & Telecoms
Subscribe to Technology, Media & Telecoms RSS FeedRICO Complaint Settlement Highlights TCPA Abuse by Plaintiffs’ Law Firms; Serial Plaintiffs and Cy Pres Awards Continue to Flourish
As the number of frivolous Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) class actions continues to grow unabated, the potential rewards have even led to alleged criminal activity by plaintiff firms seeking to game the system. A recently settled Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) complaint showcases a particularly egregious series of allegations that several plaintiffs’
Legislative and Regulatory Update on Federal Supply Chain Risk Management
The U.S. Government is renewing its focus on mitigating technological risks by regulating the supply chain for various goods and services. To achieve these goals, Congress and agencies have introduced, and in some cases enacted, legislation and regulations that direct agencies to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks generally as well as prohibit agencies
Cross-sector code of conduct for AI – a solution with substance?
On 16 April 2018 the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence published a wide-ranging report on the status of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the UK. The report, entitled “AI in the UK: ready, willing and able?” (available here), provides comprehensive coverage of critical issues relevant to the development and use of AI in
OECD publishes issues paper on blockchain and competition law
Competition law questions are increasingly raised in the public debate about the blockchain technology. While there is yet to be any investigation in this field, the policy debate about applying competition law instruments to this disruptive, decentralised technology is heating up. The latest and probably most comprehensive approach to structuring the discussion comes from the
“New Deal for Consumers” – draft package adopted by the European Commission
The European Commission has adopted a “New Deal for Consumers” package which aims to empower consumers, promote fairness and build trust across the single market. The package was adopted by the Commission in response to an evaluation on EU consumer protection and marketing directives. The evaluation found such laws need to be better applied, enforced
FCC set to initiate “small satellite” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
On 27 March 2018, the FCC released a draft of its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) (which was adopted on 17 April 2018) seeking comments on proposals to streamline the licensing process for “small satellites,” more commonly known as “smallsats.” By initiating this proceeding, which has been long-anticipated by the smallsat community, the FCC will
Spring is the Season for Satellites! Hogan Lovells Hosts CSSMA Meeting and the First “SatelliteEves” Women in Space Event
Every spring, thousands of satellite industry stakeholders descend upon Washington, DC for the industry’s premier satellite conference. This year, the Satellite 2018 conference drew over 14,500+ satellite and space industry stakeholders, including many companies driving innovation and growth in the smallsat sector. In support of the smallsat industry, Hogan Lovells and attorneys Tony Lin and
FCC Avoids Shutdown For Now, But Continued Threat Looms Over TMT Sector
The federal government is open. But less than three weeks remain under the current reprieve and another shutdown seems possible. Although the Federal Communications Commission tapped on-hand fees to support uninterrupted operations earlier this week, the FCC will start to run out of time – and money – if the stalemate over the budget continues
Connected Vehicles in Focus at 2018 CES
In addition to displaying a wide array of next-generation connected vehicle technologies, the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (“CES”) hosted lively discussion of the new possibilities that will be created as vehicles become capable of seamlessly communicating with other vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians. In one panel, Connected Vehicles in Connected Ecosystems, participants from across industries explored
Ending the Twilight Saga: FCC Proposes Slashing Regulations to Speed Broadband Deployment
The FCC has proposed to exclude so-called “Twilight Towers” from routine historic preservation review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”) and its regulations. Section 106 requires a federal agency to engage in a consultation process, which involves identification of a project’s adverse effects on historic and cultural properties and engagement with
Digital Antitrust – Outlook for the European Antitrust Year 2018
With the New Year only a few days old, we want to present a short outlook what to expect from European antitrust enforcement in 2018, with a particular focus on Germany. One theme that is likely to feature even more than last year is the impact of antitrust law on digital markets. Antitrust law has become a force for disruption in the world of tech. Multi-billion fines for online platforms which are considered not to be sufficiently neutral. Dawn raids for denied access to data. Transactions blocked or unwound if a unicorn is acquired by the wrong player.
FCC Commissioners Debate Adjustments to Merger Review Standard
In the first major transaction approval under Ajit Pai’s Chairmanship, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently approved, subject to targeted, transaction-specific conditions, license and authorization transfers in connection with CenturyLink’s $34 billion acquisition of Level 3. The FCC’s recitation of its merger review standard in its order (the “CenturyLink-Level 3 Order”) differed somewhat from the description
#Ad and the challenges of native advertising and social influencers
Westminster Media Forum recently hosted a seminar to discuss native advertising and social influencer marketing and their measurement, regulation and impact on brands. Industry insiders, advertising agencies, content producers, publishers, influencers and regulators joined forces to discuss the challenges faced by these new models of advertising. Central to these latest trends is the shift in
New Study Highlights Spike in TCPA Litigation Since 2015 FCC Decision
A new study has found that litigation involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) has increased 50 percent since the Federal Communications Commission released its July 2015 “Omnibus” Declaratory Ruling and Order, which had purported to clarify several issues around the agency’s TCPA rules. As explained below, this continuing trend is one of many reasons
FCC Launches Proceeding to Examine 911 Capabilities of Enterprise-Based 911 Services on Multi-Line Telephone Systems
The FCC intends to launch a new proceeding to examine issues related to 911 capabilities of enterprise-based 911 services provided over multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) and IP-based systems (collectively referred to as “Enterprise Communications Systems” or “ECS”). Last week, the FCC released a draft Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) examining the 911 capabilities of MLTS and
Smallsat companies form trade association to address issues facing the smallsat community
At the annual Smallsat conference in Logan, Utah, the Commercial Smallsat Spectrum Management Association (CSSMA) held its first meeting since legally forming earlier this month. A number of well-known smallsat operators and other companies have joined the organization, which seeks to advance a number of goals common to the smallsat community. These goals include creating
FCC Proposes $82 Million Fine for Illegally “Spoofed” Robocalls
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) imposing a $82 million penalty against Best Insurance Contracts (d/b/a Wilmington Insurance Quotes) and its owner/operator Philip Roesel for allegedly making more than 21 million prerecorded robocalls with illegally “spoofed” caller ID information in an attempt to sell health insurance.
FCC Extends TCPA Liability to Technology Platform Provider
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Forfeiture Order (“Order”) imposing a nearly $2.9 million penalty against Dialing Services, LLC (“Dialing Services”) for making prerecorded voice calls to wireless phones without the “prior express consent” of the called parties. This Order is notable because the FCC targeted the technology platform provider rather than the
FCC Proposes Increased Service Obligations on Wireless Licensees Seeking Renewal
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has released a draft Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on renewal requirements and permanent discontinuance rules for a variety of wireless services.[1] The Draft Further Notice proposes new rules—such as additional renewal term construction obligations to enhance rural build-out—that, if adopted, would have far-reaching implications
FCC Proposes Historic $120 Million Fine for Illegally “Spoofed” Robocalls
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a historic $120 million fine against an individual, Mr. Adrian Abramovich, who reportedly made more than 100 million unlawful “spoofed” robocalls in violation of the Truth in Caller ID Act. On June 22, 2017, the Commission approved a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture finding Mr. Abramovich apparently liable
Hogan Lovells Obtains Major TCPA Consent Revocation Victory
On June 22, 2017, in Reyes v. Lincoln Automotive Financial Services, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed with Hogan Lovells attorneys representing the defendant and held that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) does not permit a consumer to revoke her consent to be called when that consent forms part of
TCPA for the Boardroom – An Executive Focus
How do you protect your business from costly Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) lawsuits and regulatory enforcement actions? In this webinar, we will focus on the key decisions facing company executives as they navigate TCPA risks and assess compliance strategies. Businesses must stay in touch with their customers and their partners in order to succeed. But
From Garage to Global Coverage: SmallSat Growth and Opportunities are the Focus of the 2017 SmallSat Symposium and CSSMA Meeting
At this year’s SmallSat Symposium in Silicon Valley, February 6-8, 2017, attendees exchanged perspectives on promoting innovation and development in the satellite industry, all surrounded by exhibits of the first computers and early innovators who paved the way. Due to attendance twice as high as last year’s event, the SmallSat Symposium experienced a slight upgrade—the