Technology Policy & Regulation

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.  We helped negotiate the DTV standard, and devised the new frequency table.  We worked closely at every step with the FCC’s engineers and with engineers across the television industry.  We also worked to develop the new rules and legal requirements to accompany the detailed technical analysis.     
• 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. 
• Specialty Equipment Manufacturers.  We have long represented one of the leading distributors of televisions to the healthcare field on FCC compliance issues.  When its leading manufacturer discovered problems complying with an FCC rule, we sought a waiver of the FCC’s Part 15 requirements for one of the leading TV set manufacturer in this market. 

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)
  • One attorney recognized
• Chambers Europe: Leading TMT Information Technology and TMT Telecommunications (Belgium) practice (2013)
  • Two Attorneys recognized
• 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)
  • Two attorneys recognized
• Best Lawyers in America: Technology (2012-2013)
  • One attorney recognized
• 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)
  • One attorney recognized
• The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers for Regulatory Communications (2012)
  • Three attorneys recognized