Verizon Wireless has officially requested that a federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas overturn a significant jury verdict that awarded $190 million for alleged patent infringement. This case revolves around a patent involving the seamless transition of cellphone calls between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Verizon contends that the evidence presented during the trial…
In a recent development involving telecommunications giant AT&T, a compliance manager has alleged that she was instructed to remove critical details from an ethics case filing concerning the company. This whistleblower, Marya Moses, filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor earlier this year, asserting that AT&T stifled her attempts to report unethical conduct…
State antitrust enforcement in the United States is undergoing significant transformation as states move to assume a more prominent role. Historically, the federal government has been the primary actor in antitrust matters, while state governments played a more modest role. However, states are now laying the groundwork for a more vigorous and proactive stance, which…
A New York federal court recently denied Huawei’s attempt to suppress evidence in a high-profile Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case. This decision allows key evidence, consisting of four laptops and two recordings, to be presented in court. The government obtained these materials during an extensive investigation into Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications behemoth, which…
In a significant shift for internet service providers (ISPs), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently voted to dismantle a rule that mandated these companies to itemize all “passthrough” fees on detailed broadband price labels. Set during the Biden administration, the rule aimed to enhance transparency and shield consumers from unexpected charges by requiring ISPs to…
In a recent legal development, a Delaware federal judge decided not to dismiss Ericsson’s lawsuit seeking affirmation that it did not violate Acer’s patents associated with 4G, LTE, and 5G technologies. This ruling comes despite Acer’s prior litigation in Texas, which accused Ericsson’s clients of patent infringement. The Delaware court’s decision marks a pivotal point…
DirecTV has initiated legal action against a Virginia resident and a collection of companies, alleging a concerted effort to defraud its customers. The lawsuit, which has been filed in federal court, accuses the defendants of orchestrating a complex scheme designed to exploit DirecTV’s services. The alleged plot reportedly involved illicit manipulation of DirecTV’s subscription services,…
In a significant legal development, AT&T faced a setback as it attempted to shift from traditional telecommunications obligations in California. U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez ruled against AT&T’s bid to stop California from mandating that the telecommunications giant provide basic phone service to new customers within its wireline territory. This ruling reinforces the state’s commitment…
In a notable legal development, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile have decided to settle lawsuits accusing them of infringing on patents related to wireless communications systems. These cases have drawn significant attention due to the involvement of major telecommunications players in the United States. Attempts by the cellular carriers to invalidate the contentious patents at…
Ericsson Federal Inc., a subsidiary of telecommunications giant Ericsson, has brought in a new Chief Legal Officer, drawing from the parent company’s compliance unit to fill the role. The appointment reflects a strategic move to bolster the legal and compliance strength within the firm’s federal operations, particularly as regulatory scrutiny in the sector intensifies. The…
Latham & Watkins has consistently been at the forefront of antitrust law, a reputation further solidified by the firm’s esteemed partners, Lawrence Buterman and Chris Yates. Both attorneys are noted for their sharp legal acumen and successful track records in navigating complex antitrust challenges that are projected to be pivotal through 2026. Learn more about…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on the removal of a rule that compels Internet service providers (ISPs) to disclose all additional fees on broadband price labels. This decision, if approved, will reverse a requirement established during the Biden administration aimed at enhancing transparency in ISP billing practices. The current rule ensures…
The legal landscape surrounding unwanted text messages is currently characterized by a significant divide between state and federal jurisdictions. This division is largely due to varying interpretations of key regulatory frameworks, particularly the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). As unwanted text messages continue to proliferate, legal professionals are grappling with jurisdictional challenges that complicate litigation…
June has witnessed significant movements in the sphere of in-house legal appointments, with several high-profile hires reshaping corporate legal teams across various industries. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of legal strategy within large corporations, responding to evolving regulatory landscapes and business challenges. Alight Solutions, a leading provider of integrated human capital solutions, has appointed…
A Texas federal jury recently ruled in favor of a patent-holding company, awarding $3 million in damages against Samsung Electronics. The South Korean tech giant was found to have infringed upon one of three cellphone coverage patents presented at trial. This legal dispute, held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,…
Comcast has announced a strategic separation of its media and broadband divisions, a move resonating across the industry landscape. The company plans to execute this through a tax-free spin-off, which will see NBCUniversal and Sky becoming a standalone media entity apart from the broadband-focused parent company. This decision has already impacted the market positively, with…
In a development that marks the culmination of a prolonged legal battle, a patent owner has withdrawn its appeal in the Federal Circuit to revive its case against telecommunications giants T-Mobile and Ericsson. The case initially sought $253 million in damages, but a jury rejected the claims, prompting the appeal which has now been dismissed….
In a move that could significantly shape the landscape of antitrust enforcement, former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing an attorney from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to lead the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. This potential nomination reflects an ongoing strategy to influence regulatory frameworks that impact major industries and corporate practices. More details…
In a significant move that could reshape the Department of Justice’s approach to antitrust enforcement, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the nomination of the Federal Communications Commission’s general counsel as the agency’s chief antitrust official. This potential appointment could reflect a strategic alignment with Trump’s regulatory priorities and policy perspectives. The reported candidate for…
SpaceX is advancing its Starlink initiative by introducing Starlink Mobile, a direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service designed to deliver 5G connectivity directly to standard cell phones. This development positions SpaceX as a potential competitor to established U.S. mobile network operators such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, recently…
In a case that highlights the vulnerabilities within the telecommunication systems of major corporations, ADT Security Corp. has filed a lawsuit accusing a call center sales company of engaging in a deceptive telemarketing scheme. The complaint, lodged in a North Carolina federal court, outlines allegations that the defendant company has intentionally registered phone numbers that…
The legal community is closely watching the unfolding case involving a former in-house attorney for AT&T, charged with serious breaches of legal ethics. This attorney allegedly shared privileged information with opposing counsel in a long-standing lawsuit against the telecommunications giant. The alleged leak aimed at securing a share of financial gains from the lawsuit, which…
The legal community is closely watching a recent development involving a former AT&T Senior Legal Counsel, who has been charged with disclosing sensitive and privileged information. These allegations highlight significant ethical and legal considerations within corporate legal departments. This case, which stems from the alleged unauthorized release of protected information, underscores the importance of maintaining…
In a significant legal confrontation, California state regulators have accused AT&T of misleading the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of its strategy to decommission its old copper phone network without ensuring an adequate replacement. The California Public Utilities Commission, alongside the state, emphasized that the telecom giant’s longstanding narrative—claiming California aims to hinder its…
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recently accused Iran of interfering with a short-wave radio frequency utilized to broadcast independent Farsi-language news into the nation. The 15,500 kHz frequency, used by a station launched in collaboration with Radio For Peace International, aims to bypass stringent internet restrictions and state media controls, delivering news from independent Persian-language outlets…