Antitrust Division Urges FCC to Make More Spectrum Available for Wireless Broadband
1/4. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division submitted a comment to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in connection with the FCC's drafting of a document titled "National Broadband Plan". The DOJ states in this comment that wireless broadband could become a competitor to wireline broadband provided by cable and telecom companies. It states that the FCC should make more spectrum available for wireless broadband. Also, it suggests doing so in a manner that puts it in the hands of competitors to major incumbent wireline broadband providers.

Free Press Asks DOJ and FTC to Investigate Alleged Collusion to Undermine Internet TV
1/4. The Free Press (FP) and other interest groups sent letters to two U.S. antitrust regulators urging them to investigate TV Everywhere for illegal collusion. They also wrote letters urging House and Senate Committees to hold hearings. The FP argument is that there is not enough competition among video distribution companies (cable, satellite and telco), and programming companies, and as a result, prices are too high, and consumers are dissatisfied. Moreover, this is unlikely to change without government regulation. But, the FP narrative continues, the government can assure more competition by invoking antitrust law to impose artificial competition through a compulsory licensing regime for video programming.

Nokia Files Section 337 Complaint Against Apple
12/29. Nokia filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) against Apple alleging violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1337 in connection with its "unlawful importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and/or the sale within the United States after importation of certain electronic devices, including mobile phones, portable music players, and computers." Previously, on October 22, 2009, Nokia filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court (DDel) against Apple alleging infringement of different set of patents -- Nokia's patents for GSM, UMTS and WLAN standards. The District Court litigation involves standards patents, while the USITC case involves implementation patents.

WTO Appellate Body Affirms in Movie and Music Case
12/21. The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its report [195 pages in PDF], upholding the findings and conclusions of the Dispute Settlement Panel's report in the WTO's proceeding titled "China -- Measures Affecting Trading Rights and Distribution Services for Certain Publications and Audiovisual Entertainment Products". This affirms the panel's conclusions that the PRC's access barriers for US content distributors violate its WTO commitments. The US had also complained about deficiencies in the PRC's legal regime for protecting and enforcing copyrights and trademarks. However, the panel did not rule in favor of the US on that issue.

House Passes PHONE Act
12/16. The House passed HR 1110 [LOC | WW], the "Preventing Harassment through Outbound Number Enforcement Act of 2009", or "PHONE Act", by a vote of 418-1. See, Roll Call No. 986. This is a bill to create a criminal prohibition of certain caller ID spoofing.

FTC Files Antitrust Charges Against Intel by Administrative Complaint Under FTC Act
12/16. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a five count administrative complaint [24 pages in PDF] against Intel alleging violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, which is codified at 15 U.S.C. § 45. The allegations are in the nature of violations of federal antitrust law.

DOC/USPTO Write Senators Regarding Patent Reform Legislation
10/6. The Department of Commerce (DOC) sent a letter [PDF] on October 5, 2009 to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the Chairman and ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC), regarding patent reform legislation.

FTC Makes Law Abridging the Freedom of Bloggers
10/5. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a notice [PDF], to be published in the Federal Register, that announces, describes, recites, and sets the effective date (December 1, 2009) of, its revisions to its "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". Much of this notice pertains to commercial advertising. However, it also announces the FTC's intent both to delve into regulating the speech on individuals on the internet, and to do so inconsistently from its regulation of the speech of "traditional media". For example, an individual blogger who receives a free copy of a video game, and writes about it, faces a federal civil enforcement action if he does not disclose that he received the free copy.

Locke Addresses Reforming the Export Control System
10/1. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke gave a speech in Washington DC in which he discussed export controls and the Department of Commerce's (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). He discussed how the current export regime is harming some U.S. companies' ability to compete abroad. He said that the system is in need of reform. He listed a few things that the BIS might do in the short run to ease the burden. But, he said that "Overhauling our export control framework will not happen overnight. Fundamental reform will likely require new statutory authority and action from Congress."

House Commerce Committee Approves Informed P2P User Act
9/30. The House Commerce Committee (HCC) amended and approved HR 1319 [LOC | WW], the "Informed P2P User Act" by voice vote. The HCC approved an amendment in the nature of a substitute [7 pages in PDF] that replaces the bill as introduced. Rep. Bono stated "Too many people aren't aware of the risks associated with using popular peer-to-peer file-sharing programs ... When users login to these P2P programs, they could be inadvertently sharing ALL of their personal information with everyone else on the network, including tax returns, financial records, personal messages and family photos."

AT&T Accuses Google of Call Blocking and/or Violation of Network Neutrality Principles
9/25. AT&T submitted a letter [PDF] to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in which it states that Google Voice engages in call blocking, violation of the FCC's 2005 policy statement, and/or violation of the proposed non-discrimination principle of net neutrality. The letter urges the FCC to "order Google to play by the same rules as its competitors".

See also:
 • Top Stories from 2009.
 • Top Stories from 2008.
 • Top Stories from 2007.
 • Top Stories from 2006.
 • Top Stories from 2005.
 • Top Stories from 2004.
 • Top Stories from 2003.
 • Top Stories from 2002.

2008
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-29 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 |
2007
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-31 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2006
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-31 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2005
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2004
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-29 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2003
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March  21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30  | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-30 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2002
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2001
Jan. 1-10 | Jan 11-20 | Jan 21-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | Mar 1-5 | Mar 6-10 | Mar 11-15 | Mar 16-20 | Mar 21-25 | Mar 26-31 | Apr 1-5 | Apr 6-10 | Apr 11-15 | Apr 16-20 | Apr 21-25 | Apr 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec  26-31

See also, hyperlinks to earlier News By Date.

Tech Law Journal covers legal, legislative, and regulatory issues affecting the computer, Internet, information, and communications industries. This includes legislation pending in the U.S. Congress, litigation and court opinions, and the activities of relevant federal departments, agencies, and commissions, including the FCC, FTC, NTIA, and DOJ Antitrust Division.

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202-364-8882.
P.O. Box 4851, Washington DC, 20008.

Alert No. 2,041, Tuesday, February 3.
 • Amazon and Macmillan Clash on E-Book Pricing
 • USC Paper Addresses Government Support of News Media
 • People and Appointments
 • More News

Alert No. 2,040, Tuesday, February 2.
 • Antitrust Division's Weiser Addresses Disruptive Entry
 • U.S. Tech Groups Complain About PRC's Use of Domestic IP as Trade Barrier
 • Locke Addresses PRC and Trade
 • OUSTR Continues to Preclude Public Debate of Proposed ACTA
 • Sundance Summit and Aspen Forum Scheduled for July and August

Alert No. 2,039, Tuesday, January 26.
 • FCC's Clyburn Proposes FCC Broadband Tax and Subsidy Program
 • Clyburn Addresses EEO and Ownership Rules as Network Neutrality
 • FCC's Baker Opposes Government Funding of Journalism
 • Copyright Office Issues Rule Affecting Registration of Online Only Works
 • People and Appointments
 • More News

Alert No. 2,038, Monday, January 25.
 • House Communications Subcommittee Approves Spectrum Bills
 • Senate Judiciary Committee to Consider Cell Phones in Prisons
 • DOJ Requires Ticketmaster Live Nation to License Ticket Software and Divest Ticketing Assets
 • Obama Picks Lucy Koh to Replace Ron Whyte on District Court
 • More People and Appointments

Alert No. 2,037, Wednesday, January 20.
 • Another DOJ Inspector General Report Finds FBI Misconduct in Obtaining Phone Records
 • FCC Adopts NPRM Regarding Limiting Some Robocalls
 • DOJ Requires Separate Operation of Two Print Daily Newspapers in Charleston WV
 • Locke Announces Forum on Federally Funded Research
 • People and Appointments

Alert No. 2,036, Tuesday, January 19.
 • Google Accuses Red China of Cyber Attacks Directed at Human Rights Activists
 • USITC Reports on SME Exports of Computers and Electronics
 • GAO Releases Report on FCC Organization and Operations
 • Haiti News
 • People and Appointments
 • More News

Alert No. 2,035, Monday, January 11.
 • Sen. Snowe Writes FCC Regarding Spectrum Allocation
 • FCC Grants Cablevision's Request for Waiver for Encrypted Basic Tier
 • Tech Crime Report
 • Online Safety News
 • Antitrust News
 • More News

Alert No. 2,034, Thursday, January 7.
 • FCC to Delay Completion of National Broadband Plan
 • Locke Wants for More Government R&D Spending
 • Google Asks FCC to Be Designated as a White Space TV Bands Database Administrator
 • People and Appointments

Alert No. 2,033, Wednesday, January 6.
 • Antitrust Division Urges FCC to Make More Spectrum Available for Wireless Broadband
 • NTIA Urges FCC to Make More Spectrum Available for Wireless Broadband
 • FTC Seeks Comments on Proposed COPPA Safe Harbor
 • People and Appointments
 • More News (STEM education, EC antitrust procedure, HSR, ETFs, cable statutory license, DNC registry)

Alert No. 2,032, Tuesday, January 5.
 • Sen. Dorgan to Retire
 • IRS to Consider Regulation of Tax Preparation Software
 • SEC Settles Dell Perot Systems Insider Trading Case for Return of Trading Profits
 • Obama Issues Executive Orders Regarding Secret Documents

Alert No. 2,031, Monday, January 4.
 • Free Press Asks DOJ and FTC to Investigate Alleged Collusion to Undermine Internet TV

Alert No. 2,030, Wednesday, December 30.
 • Nokia Files Section 337 Complaint Against Apple
 • FCC Announces Tentative Schedule for January Event
 • TWC and News Corp. Continue to Negotiate Retransmission Consent Fees
 • Obama Names Schmidt Cyber Security Coordinator
 • People and Appointments -- Trade
 • More People and Appointments

Alert No. 2,029, Tuesday, December 29.
 • WTO Appellate Body Affirms in Movie and Music Case
 • State and Local Government Groups Seek Revision of FCC Tower Citing Application Shot Clock
 • Groups Urge FTC to Block Google AdMob Merger
 • More News

Alert No. 2,028, Monday, December 28.
 • UK Clears Ticketmaster Live Nation Merger
 • FCC Reports on ILEC Quality of Service Trends
 • FCC's Clyburn Troubled With Verizon Wireless's Statements Regarding Early Termination Fees

Alert No. 2,027, Thursday, December 24.
 • Copyright Royalty Judges Announce NPRM on Webcaster Fees
 • FCC Releases FNPRM Regarding High Universal Support
 • DC Circuit Denies Petition for Review of FCC Cap on High Cost Universal Service Subsidies
 • District Court Approves Settlement of Class Action Comcast P2P Management Litigation
 • FCC National Broadband Plan News
 • More News

Alert No. 2,026, Tuesday, December 22.
 • DHS Extends REAL ID Deadline
 • NIST Solicits Applications for ICT Research Grants
 • Former FBI Worker Pleads Guilty to Disclosing Communications Intelligence
 • More Tech Crimes
 • OUSTR Seeks Comments on IP and Tech Issues for Negotiation of Trans Pacific Trade Agreement
 • USPTO Seeks Comments on Rules of Practice before the BPAI in Ex Parte Appeals
 • More IPR News

Alert No. 2,025, Friday, December 18.
 • House Passes PHONE Act
 • House Passes Low Power FM Radio Bill
 • House Passes CALM Act

Alert No. 2,024, Thursday, December 17.
 • EPIC Complains to FTC About Facebook's Privacy Related Practices
 • Microsoft Commits to EC to Offer Windows Without Browser in Europe
 • FTC Files Antitrust Charges Against Intel by Administrative Complaint Under FTC Act
 • Commentary: FTC Antitrust Procedure

See also, headlines from:
 • January - February, 2010.
 • July - December, 2009.
 • January - June, 2009.
 • July - December, 2008.
 • January - June, 2008.
 • July - December, 2007.
 • January - June, 2007.
 • July - December, 2006.
 • January - June, 2006.
 • July - December, 2005.
 • January - June, 2005.
 • July - December, 2004.
 • January - June, 2004.
 • July - December, 2003.
 • January - June, 2003.
 • July - December, 2002.