Tech Law Journal Daily E-Mail Alert
March 18, 2002, 9:00 AM ET, Alert No. 390.
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Sen. Lott Opposes Adelstein Nomination to FCC
3/15. Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) announced his opposition to the nomination of Jonathan Adelstein to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) has recommended that President George Bush nominate Adelstein for the position on the FCC recently vacated by Gloria Tristani. By law, the President must appoint a second Democrat. Adelstein is a staff assistant to Sen. Daschle. President Bush has not yet formally nominated Adelstein.
On March 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to reject the nomination of U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pickering to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals (5thCir), by a straight party line vote of 10 to 9.
Charles Pickering is currently a sitting federal judge in Mississippi. He is also the father of Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS), who was previously a member of Sen. Lott's staff. He is now a member of the House Commerce Committee, and its Telecom and Internet Subcommittee.
Sen. Lott stated in the Senate that "I think the Senate Judiciary Committee just participated in a miscarriage of justice. I am very much concerned about the effect it is going to have on the Senate, and on our relationship on both sides of the aisle." See, Cong. Rec., March 14, 2002, at Page S1915.
He continued that "Charles Pickering's son worked for me. Chip Pickering is one of the finest young men I have known. He was a missionary behind the Iron Curtain. He was my legislative director, and a great legislator. He not only knew the substance, but he knew the art of the possible. Senator Fritz Hollings can tell you that we got the telecommunications bill passed because of the brilliance of Congressman Chip Pickering, the son of this nominee. This young man has now worked day and night to try to help his dad get through this unfair crucible -- now without success." Cong. Rec., at 1916.
"This political mugging will say a lot more about the perpetrators than about their victim." said Sen. Lott. "I am not going to let go of this."
However, Sen. Lott cited Adelstein's youth and inexperience as reasons for opposing him.
Two of the current FCC Commissioners, Michael Powell and Kevin Martin, were appointed to the FCC at a younger age -- with the support of Sen. Lott.
FCC Releases DR & NPRM on Cable Internet Access
3/15. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [PDF] addressing the legal classification and the appropriate regulatory framework for broadband access to the Internet over cable system facilities.
The FCC announced that it had adopted this DR and NPRM at its March 14 meeting. See also, March 14 FCC release. This is GN Docket No. 00-185 and CS Docket No. 02-52.
It states that "we conclude that cable modem service, as it is currently offered, is properly classified as an interstate information service, not as a cable service, and that there is no separate offering of telecommunications service. In addition, we initiate a rulemaking proceeding to determine the scope of the Commission's jurisdiction to regulate cable modem service and whether (and, if so, how) cable modem service should be regulated under the law ..."
The 75 page DR & NPRM reviews the relevant statutory sections, the alternative regulatory classifications, the arguments advanced by commenters, the relevant judicial precedent, and various policy arguments. It states that "The Communications Act does not clearly indicate how cable modem service should be classified or regulated", but nevertheless "conclude[s] that cable modem service as currently provided is an interstate information service, not a cable service, and that there is no separate telecommunications service offering to subscribers or ISPs."
Open Access. The DR & NPRM states that "If we were to require cable operators to unbundle cable modem service merely because they also provide cable telephony service, we would in essence create an open access regime for cable Internet service applicable only to some operators. We believe it is more appropriate to examine the issue of open access on a national basis involving all those Title VI cable systems that choose to offer cable modem service, rather than to divide and treat separately those that also have a common carrier local telephony offering."
It adds that "we believe that many, if not most, such cable operators would stop offering telephony if such an offering triggered a multiple ISP access obligation for the cable modem service. Because many cable operators would likely withdraw from the telephony market, applying Computer II in such circumstances would undermine the long delayed hope of creating facilities based competition in the telephony marketplace and thereby seriously undermine the goal of the 1996 Act to open all telecommunications markets to competition. It would also disserve the goal of Section 706 that we ``encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans ... by utilizing ... measures that promote competition in the local telecommunications market, or other regulating methods that remove barriers to infrastructure investment.´´ "
AT&T v. Portland. The DR & NPRM attempts to explain away the contrary opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals (9thCir) in AT&T v. City of Portland, which held that cable Internet access is a telecommunications service. The DR & NPRM states that "While we are considering the broad issue of the appropriate national framework for the regulation of cable modem service, the Portland court considered a much narrower issue -- whether a local franchising authority, whose authority was limited to cable service, had the authority to condition its approval of a cable operator’s merger on the operator's grant of multiple ISP access." It also states that "The Ninth Circuit’s decision was based on a record that was less than comprehensive", and that the FCC "was not a party to the case and did not provide its expert opinion on this issue." Finally, it states that "The Ninth Circuit did not have the benefit of briefing by the parties or the Commission on this issue and the developing law in this area."
FCC Issues Release Regarding § 214 Transfers
3/14. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that its has "adopted rules to streamline review of applications for section 214 authorization to transfer control of domestic transmission lines." See, 47 U.S.C. § 214. The FCC issued a short press release, but not a copy of the report and order. This is Docket No. CC 01-150.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps wrote a dissent. He stated that "the majority has decided to vest the Bureau with the delegated authority to determine if any transaction -- whether or not it falls within the presumptive categories -- merits streamlined treatment or requires further investigation. I do not support such an expansion of the Bureau's delegated authority."
GAO Reports on DISA Planning
3/15. The General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report [PDF] titled "Information Technology: Defense Information Systems Agency Can Improve Investment Planning and Management Controls".
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) provides computing services, telecommunications services, and acquisition services, on a cost reimbursable basis. The DISA also operates and maintains joint warfighting and related mission support command, control, and communications systems funded by direct appropriations.
The report addresses whether the DISA has effectively managed development of its plan titled "A 500 Day Action Plan for Supporting DoD Decision Superiority", released in March of 2001.
GAO Reports on DLA
3/15. The General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report [PDF] titled "Information Technology: DLA Needs to Strengthen Its Investment Management Capability". The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages supply items and processes supply distribution actions.
The report concludes that "Because IT investment management has only recently become an area of management focus and commitment at DLA, the agency's capability to effectively manage its IT investments is limited. ... Until DLA fully implements an effective IT investment management process, it will not know whether its mix of investments best meets its mission and business priorities."
The report makes two recommendations. "The first step toward establishing effective investment management is putting in place foundational, project level control and selection processes. ... The second major step toward effective investment management is to continually assess proposed and ongoing projects as an integrated and competing set of investment options."
House to Consider Bill Creating IT Worker Exchange Program
3/18. The House will likely consider HR 3925, the "Digital Tech Corps Act of 2002", on Wednesday or Thursday, March 20 or 21. The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet to adopt a rule for consideration of HR 3925 at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19.
This bill was introduced by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) on March 12, 2002. It is cosponsored by Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), the Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee. The Committee marked up the bill on March 14.
HR 3925 would establish an exchange program between the federal government and the private sector in order to promote the development of expertise in information technology management. It states that "unless action is taken soon, there will be a crisis in the government's ability to deliver essential services to the American people".
The bill states that "On request from or with the agreement of a private sector organization, and with the consent of the employee concerned, the head of an agency may arrange for the assignment of an employee of the agency to a private sector organization or an employee of a private sector organization to the agency. An eligible employee is an individual who (1) works in the field of information technology management; (2) is considered an exceptional performer by the individual's current employer; and (3) is expected to assume increased information technology management responsibilities in the future."
FEC to Hold Hearing on Campaign Activity on the Internet
3/15. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will hold a public hearing on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [PDF] regarding campaign activity on the Internet on Wednesday, March 20. The witnesses will be Robert Bauer (Perkins Coie), Alex Vogel (National Republican Senatorial Committee), Laurence Gold (AFL-CIO), and James Bopp (James Madison Center for Free Speech). See, FEC notice.
The FEC is the agency charged with enforcing the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), which regulates political contributions and expenditures. While the FEC had previously considered wide ranging regulation of political speech on the Internet, this NPRM merely proposes to permit certain personal political web sites, and to allow corporations and unions to put certain hyperlinks and press releases in their web sites.
The FEC released this NPRM in September, 2001. See, TLJ story of September 27. On October 3, 2001, the FEC published a notice in the Federal Register (See, October 3, 2001, Vol. 66, No. 192, at Pages 50358 - 50366.)
FTC to Hold Hearings on Merger Review Process
3/15. The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Bureau of Competition announced that it plans to conduct a series of hearings in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC regarding modifications to the FTC's investigations process and its use of specific remedy provisions. See, FTC release.
The FTC describes these hearings as "brown bag" "public workshops". It has not yet announced the dates of these hearings. The FTC stated that seeks "input from a broad range of interest groups including corporate personnel, outside and in-house attorneys, economists, consumer groups, and others who have participated in the FTC's or Department of Justice Antitrust Division's merger review process."
USTR Zoellick Addresses Free Trade and IPR
3/14. U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick gave a speech titled "Competing in the Global Economy: Five Ingredients for Success" at the Conference on Productivity and Competitiveness in Santa Marta, Colombia. He addressed free trade generally, and protection of intellectual property rights specifically.
He stated that there are "five key ingredients in the recipe for building stronger economies and stronger countries: open trade; education and innovation; the rule of law, property rights, and effective governance; a modern infrastructure; and an open, deregulated economy."
He stated that "In the modern knowledge based economy, effective property rights must extend to the fruits of intellectual labor. Patents encourage innovation. A climate of innovation encourages research and development, as well as new applications. Since most cutting edge businesses can only prosper through continuous innovation, a failure to protect intellectual property is like putting up a ``Keep Away´´ sign to the investments and businesses that will drive the future."
He continued that "It is certainly worth noting that the 18th century drafters of the U.S. Constitution -- one of the most successful political and economic compacts of all time -- took time to add to that very sparse document a specific federal power: ``To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for Limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.´´ In 1790, the first U.S. government entrusted the administration of its new patent laws to none other than Thomas Jefferson. There is no doubt that from the start the United States recognized the connection between intellectual property and development."
He also addressed deregulation of services. "The capital markets can also take on new vibrance -- and countries can become more competitive -- with the deregulation of financial services connected to telecom and information technology. These services open the way for productivity increases, cost reductions, and customized services as firms learn how to use real-time information effectively. Moreover, this deregulation is a ``force multiplier´´ for structural reforms and liberalization. As financial markets deregulate and intermediaries proliferate, the traditional power of banks as the sole channel for intermediation is undermined, and a new agent of change is unleashed: financial asset managers -- whether in the form of pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, or others."
IRS to Accept Electronic Receipts for Charitable Contributions
3/13. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a revised version [PDF] of its Publication 1771, titled "Charitable Contributions: Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements", which now approves electronic receipts as a method to acknowledge a donation to a public charity.
The Internal Revenue Code, requires, at 26 U.S.C. § 170(f)(8), that taxpayers obtain a written acknowledgement from a public charity if they claim a tax deduction based on a contribution of $250 or more.
Publication 1771 provides that a "donor is responsible for obtaining a written acknowledgment from a charity for any single contribution of $250 or more before the donor can claim a charitable contribution on his/her federal income tax return". It now also provides that "There are no IRS forms for the acknowledgment. Letters, postcards, or computer generated forms with the above information are acceptable. An organization can provide either a paper copy of the acknowledgment to the donor, or an organization can provide the acknowledgment electronically, such as via an e-mail addressed to the donor."
DC Circuit Rules in CA v. NLRB
3/15. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) issued its opinion in Computer Associates v. NLRB, setting aside an order of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that Computer Associates (CA) had discharged workers in violation of labor law.
The NLRB determined that CA violated §§ 8(a)(1) and (3) of the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 158(a)(1) and (a)(3), by terminating a subcontract with Cushman & Wakefield of Long Island to provide engineers at CA's Islandia, New York, facility, and thereby discharging the engineers in retaliation for their union activities.
CA filed a petition for review of this order with the Court of Appeals. The Court wrote: "Crucial to the Board's holding was its finding that CA was a ``joint employer´´ of the engineers. Because the engineers' union, Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (Union), had stipulated that Cushman was its sole employer and the Board cited no changed circumstances after the stipulation to support its finding that CA was a joint employer, we conclude the Board's joint employer finding is not supported by substantial evidence and we therefore grant CA's petition for review."
People and Appointments
3/15. The Senate confirmed David Bury to be judge of the U.S. District Court Judge (DAriz).
Monday, March 18
The House will meet at 2:00 PM in pro forma session only.
The Senate will meet at 3:00 PM to consider HR 2356, the campaign spending bill. At 5:30 PM the Senate will consider the nomination of Randy Crane to be a judge of the U.S. District Court (SDTex).
9:30 AM. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) will hear oral argument in Costa de Oro TV v. FCC, No. 01-1153. Judges Ginsburg, Henderson and Tatel will preside. (This is the second case on the schedule. 15 minutes per side has has been allotted.) Location: 333 Constitution Ave. NW.
10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON. The AEI Brookings Joint Center will host a debate on the Tauzin Dingell bill and government broadband policy. The speakers will be Tom Hazlett and Charles Ferguson. Location: Falk Auditorium, Brookings, 1775 Mass. Ave., NW.
12:00 NOON. Deadline to submit requests to Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to testify orally at its April 1 hearing on negotiation of a U.S. Singapore Free Trade Agreement. See, notice in the Federal Register.
Deadline to submit comments to the FCC in response to its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding its unbundling analysis under § 251 of the Communications Act and the identification of specific unbundling requirements for incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). The FCC adopted this NPRM at its December 12 meeting. This is CC Docket No. 01-338. See, notice in the Federal Register. Note: SBC submitted a request for extension of deadline [PDF] on March 11.
Tuesday, March 19
The House will meet at 12:30 PM for morning hour and 2:00 PM for legislative business. No votes are expected before 6:30 PM. The House will consider a number of measures under suspension of the rules.
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The FTC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division will continue their joint hearings titled "Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the Knowledge Based Economy." From 9:30 AM until 12:00 NOON, there will be presentations on "Business Perspectives on Patents". From 1:30 until 4:30 PM, there will be presentations on "Business Perspectives on Patents: Biotech and Pharmaceuticals". See, agenda. Location: Room 432, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
10:00 AM. The Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the proposed budget estimates for FY 2003 for the FTC, and other agencies. FTC Chairman Timothy Muris will testify. Location: Room 138, Dirksen Building.
12:00 NOON. The FCBA's Executive Committee will meet.
1:00 - 2:15 PM. The Internet Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) will meet. (The NAAG spring meeting is taking place from March 19-22.) Location: Salon E, Ballroom Level, Marriott Hotel, Metro Center.
5:00 PM. The House Rules Committee will meet to adopt a rule for consideration of HR 3925, the "Digital Tech Corps Act of 2002". Location: H-312, The Capitol.
Wednesday, March 20
9:30 AM. The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on competition in the local telecommunications marketplace. Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-SC) will preside. Location: Room 253, Russell Building.
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The FTC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division will continue their joint hearings titled "Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the Knowledge Based Economy." From 9:30 AM until 12:00 NOON, there will be presentations on "Business Perspectives on Patents: Hardware and Semiconductors". From 1:30 until 4:30 PM there will be presentations on "Business Perspectives on Patents: Software and the Internet". See, agenda. Location: Room 432, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
10:00 AM. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will hold a public hearing on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [PDF] regarding campaign activity on the Internet. The witnesses will be Robert Bauer (Perkins Coie), Alex Vogel (National Republican Senatorial Committee), Laurence Gold (AFL CIO), and James Bopp (James Madison Center for Free Speech). See, FEC notice. Location: FEC, 9th floor meeting room.
10:00 AM. The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information will hold a hearing on identity theft and information protection. Howard Beales, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection, will testify. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) will preside. Location: Room 226, Dirksen Building.
CANCELLED. 10:00 AM. The FCC's Technological Advisory Council will hold a meeting. See, notice in Federal Register. See, cancellation notice in Federal Register. The next meeting is April 26; see, FCC notice of March 12.
12:15 PM. The FCBA's Cable Committee will host a luncheon. The speaker will be Catherine Bohigian, Legal Advisor to FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin. The price to attend is $15. RSVP to Wendy Parish at wendy@fcba.org by 5:00 PM on March 18.
12:30 PM. Roy Stewart will speak at a luncheon hosted by the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers. Stewart is currently Chief of the FCC's Mass Media Bureau; he will become Chief of the Office of Broadcast License Policy in the new Media Bureau. For more information, contact Noel Luddy at luddyen @aol.com or 301 299-2270. Location: Wyndham City Center Hotel, 1143 New Hampshire Ave., NW.
1:30 - 2:15 PM. FTC Chairman Timothy Muris will speak at the National Association of Attorneys General's spring meeting. Location: Marriott Hotel, Metro Center.
2:00 PM. The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the proposed budget for FY 2003 for the USTR. Location: Room H-309, The Capitol.
6:00 - 8:00 PM. The FCBA will host a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar titled Telecommunications 201. Location: Capital Hilton Hotel, 16th and K Streets, NW.
Thursday, March 21
8:30 AM - 12:00 NOON. The law firm of Steptoe & Johnson and The Open Group will host a workshop titled "Liability and Information Assurance: The Role of Law, Regulation, and Self Regulation". The workshop will focus on allocating liability for breaches of information security, and the various roles that law, regulation, and private contractual agreements can or should play in the allocation of responsibility for information security failures. RSVP to salbertaz @steptoe.com. For more information, contact mschneck @steptoe.com. Location: 1330 Connecticut Ave., NW.
10:00 AM. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the FY 2003 budgets for the FBI, INS, and the DEA. Location: Room 116, Dirksen Building.
10:00 AM. The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled "The Effects of the Global Crossing Bankruptcy on Investors, Markets, and Employees". Location: Room 2220, Rayburn Building.
12:15 PM. The FCBA's Transactional Practice Committee will host a brown bag lunch on satellite and other international telecommunications transactions. RSVP to Brian Madden at 202 416-6770. Location: Leventhal Senter & Lerman, 2000 K Street, NW.
2:30 PM. The Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space will hold hearing to examine federal research and development issues. Location: Room 253, Russell Building.
3:30 PM. Margaret Radin (Stanford Law School) will give a lecture titled "Contract Today and Tomorrow: Binding Commitment in the Networked World". Location: Georgetown University Law Center, Faculty Lounge, 5th Floor, McDonough Hall, 600 New Jersey Ave., NW.
8:00 PM. Deadline to submit applications to the NTIA for Technology Opportunity Program (TOP) grants for FY 2002. See, notice in Federal Register.
Friday, March 22
The House will not be in session.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. The Network Reliability and Interoperability Council (NRIC) will hold a meeting. See, FCC notice [PDF] of March 14, and notice in Federal Register. Location: Room TW-C305, FCC, 445 12th St. SW.
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