Covington’s FCC practice encompasses a wide range of the communications and media industry. Our clients include broadcasters, satellite carriers, media companies, competitive and incumbent local exchange carriers, broadcast trade associations, wireless providers, sports leagues, equipment manufacturers, and Internet companies and software providers which face growing FCC regulation. We represent clients on all facets of the FCC, from obtaining licenses and merger approvals to participating in rulemaking proceedings and enforcement actions, to consulting with the staff on daily compliance matters. Our deep knowledge of the industry and our long-standing and regular work with all parts of the Commission, from the Commissioners to their staffs to the Bureau staff, enable us to give our clients effective and efficient advice and representation.
Representative Matters
- Broadcasters on DTV Transition. Covington has represented the broadcast industry and individual broadcasters and affiliate boards for nearly two decades on the incredible range of technical, legal and policy issues surrounding the transition to digital television. This has involved technical analysis, shaping policy arguments, and developing legal analysis to support the Commission’s actions in this area.
- Media Ownership. We represented the CBS and NBC Affiliates on the FCC’s media ownership proceeding, both before the FCC and on appeal. We developed detailed economic analysis of the various media markets and worked closely with the FCC staff and Commissioner offices to address the numerous issues raised in this proceeding. When the FCC’s decision raised the network ownership cap, we turned to Congress to reverse that decision. And when the FCC decision was appealed, our appellate lawyers participated in that case on behalf of the affiliates, building on our deep knowledge of the proceeding.
- Wireline Competition. We represent TDS Telecom on a range of wireline issues before the FCC, including universal service, ETC regulation, intercarrier compensation and CALEA. We represent the world’s largest independent directory assistance providers on a range of issues before the FCC, including retail competition.
- Microsoft. We represent Microsoft before the FCC on various issuing surrounding its Media Center and DRM products. We obtained FCC recognition of Windows Media Digital Rights Management software as a permissible means to handle digital content. We also represent the company in ongoing rulemakings and waiver petitions involving plug-and-play issues, including industry-wide efforts to resolve these issues.
- Fax Business Coalition. We represented a coalition of 600 companies and trade associations advocating the FCC to amend its rules to enable business to use faxes to contact their customers. When Congress adopted a law allowing those faxes, we represented the coalition before Congress on implementing this law.
Accolades
- Chambers USA: leading Telecom, Broadcast, & Satellite practice (2004-2013).
- Chambers USA: leading Media and Entertainment practice (2007-2013).
- Chambers USA: Telecom, Broadcast, & Satellite and Media & Entertainment (2012-2013).
- seven attorneys recognized
- Chambers USA: First Amendment Litigation (2011-2013)
- Chambers Europe: Leading TMT Information Technology and TMT Telecommunications (Belgium) practice (2013)
- Chambers Asia: leading China Technology, Media & Telecom sector (2010-2013).
- Legal 500 US: Media, Technology & Telecoms (2012-2013)
- Technology - Data Protection & Privacy
- Marketing & Advertising
- Technology - Outsourcing
- Technology - Transactions
- Telecoms & Broadcast - Regulatory & Transactional
- Nineteen attorneys recognized in above categories
- Legal 500 UK (2011-2012)
- Media and Entertainment
- IT & Telecoms
- Legal 500 EMEA: EU Regulatory, Information Technology (2011-2012)
- Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Beijing - Technology, Media & Telecoms - Foreign Firms (2009-2012)
- Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2013)
- Four attorneys recognized
- Best Lawyers in America: Administrative/Regulatory Law (2012-2013)
- Best Lawyers in America: Technology (2012-2013)
- Practical Law Company: Telecoms & Media - EU, US, and China (2012)
- Variety named Jason Goldberg, a member of our Asia media practice, as one of “50 Game-Changing Attorneys” in the world for his representation of major U.S. studios in landmark film production and financing deals in China (2012).
- U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers, Communications Law and Technology Law: National and Washington, DC, first tier ranking (2011)
- Intellectual Property Magazine Awards (2010)
- Sports, Media and Entertainment Team of the Year
- Managing Intellectual Property Global Awards (2010)
- Shortlisted in the pan-European category "New Media/Internet"
- The International Who's Who of Regulatory Communications Lawyers (2012)
- Four attorneys recognized
- The International Who's Who of Internet & e-Commerce Lawyers for Internet & e-Commerce (2011-2012)
- The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers for Regulatory Communications (2012)
- Three attorneys recognized
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