The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have recently released a cybersecurity advisory, responding to an upsurge in ransomware attacks by the cyber operational group referred to as Scattered Spider. The advisory comes as an increasing number of businesses, notably those in sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, business…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and sectors, and staying abreast of these changes is increasingly important for legal professionals. AI refers to a machine’s capacity to execute cognitive functions typically associated with human intelligence, such as perception, reasoning, learning, interaction with environment, problem-solving, and even creativity as explained by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick,…
On November 16, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) set significant precedents with the release of new initiatives focused on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their effects on consumers. In a world that increasingly relies on digital communication, these inquiries demonstrate a critical step in understanding and regulating the…
Over the past several decades, the demand for wireless spectrum has seen a consistent rise. As a result, successive presidential administrations have developed and released various plans to manage spectrum policy. A significant event in this policy evolution occurred on November 13, 2023, when the Biden administration, in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information…
In the last month, a previous Cincinnati lawyer, identified as Richard Crosby, has pled not guilty to several charges claiming the use of aliases and fabricated qualifications to secure high-profile positions at law firms in Washington, D.C., and Florida. The charges come following his arrest in late October. The charges were filed in the US…
In an escalating development, Charter Communications, a major player in the telecommunications industry, has recently come under fire by none other than the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This was announced in a settled action by the SEC against the cable company for alleged violations of internal accounting control mandates during its engagement in unauthorized…
The government of Nepal, during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, announced a nationwide ban on the social media platform TikTok. Minister for Communication Rekha Sharma conveyed the decision, emphasizing “negative effects of the app on social harmony and goodwill,” reports local newspaper Kantipur. Sharma affirmed that plans for the ban’s implementation are already in progress….
On November 13, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) made public its National Spectrum Strategy. This strategy is a “high-level blueprint” that outlines the Biden-Harris Administration’s national objectives for spectrum policy. The National Spectrum Strategy aims to guide policy-making for the use of spectral resources. Recognizing the importance of both the public and…
Telefónica S.A, a prominent telecommunications company based in Spain, has reportedly made a move to acquire complete ownership of its associated German entity. Gleiss Lutz, a leading law firm, has been tasked with advising Telefónica through this multi-billion Euro public takeover bid. Law.com is reporting on the on-going deal; however, the details of the article…
In a recent episode of AD Nauseam, a podcast episode discussed the rise of junk fees and the ripple effects this trend has on both businesses and consumers. The discussion featured hosts Amy, Daniel, and Jack who shared insights on regulatory action toward this malpractice and progressing conversation on lawsuits in the US, according to…
The conversation on diversity and inclusivity among law firms continues to gain momentum. The legal industry is facing increasing pressure from in-house counsel, who expect more diversity from their outside partners but are finding that expectation often unmet. A clear incident was described, of a multinational networking and telecommunications company, Ericsson, which hired a law…
On November 1, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated the Seventeenth Notice of Inquiry (NOI) as outlined under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The purpose of this inquiry is to assess the state of broadband availability for all Americans, marking a critical juncture in the evolution of national digital connectivity. Wiley…
In an intriguing move, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a waiver effectively softening its irrevocable standby letter of credit (LOC) requirements for the expansive $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The information was originally sourced from an article on JDSupra. For those unaware, the BEAD program is a…
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled with a 6-1 majority that the mandatory minimum sentencing for child luring offenses is unconstitutionally violating the right against cruel and unusual punishment as stated under the Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. The judgment came out of two separate child luring cases, where the…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated a draft Notice of Inquiry (NOI), aimed at investigating the potential effects of emerging Artificial Intelligence technologies on its mission to curb unwanted and illegal calls and texts, under the mandate of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This is seen to be in line with the White…
The FCC Enforcement Monitor for October 2023 is now available for review. This monthly publication, compiled and released by Pillsbury’s communications lawyers, has been an invaluable resource for legal professionals specialising in the communications sector since its inception in 1999. This monitor is indispensable for anyone seeking detailed information on significant FCC enforcement actions against…
In a remarkable development, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed to reclassify broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service in their latest net neutrality proceeding. The move could essentially reinstate 2015’s Open Internet Rules, drawing attention from legal professionals across the globe. For an in-depth look on the matter, you can visit the detailed…
On Thursday, Amnesty International urged the Guinean government to drop charges against 13 journalists arrested following their participation in peaceful demonstrations on October 16th. These reporters were advocating for the abolition of restrictions on access to certain news websites in the country. Subsequent to the protests, the journalists were arrested and charged with “unlawful assembly…
As legal professionals working within some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms, we understand the complexity of regulatory changes and their wider impacts on industry practices. One regulatory development that has sparked substantial discussion is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) broadband label requirements, set to take effect as soon as April 10, 2024….
The Federal Communications Commission is currently poised to reinstate its net neutrality rules, which could see broadband reclassified as a telecommunications service. Proposed rules would prevent broadband providers from controlling or throttling internet traffic. These propositions are almost exact replicas of those the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld in 2016. In…
Nishimura & Asahi, the largest law firm in Japan by headcount, has grown its corporate offering in Thailand. M&A lawyer Christopher Osborne, lately a partner and head of the Thai corporate practice at Watson Farley & Williams in Bangkok, has joined the Big Four Japanese firm as a partner. More information regarding the hire was…
Ligado Networks has recently filed a $39 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government of the United States, naming the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Commerce Department as defendants. The complaint alleges that these institutions took “unlawful actions” to seize the firm’s L-band spectrum granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2020 without compensation,…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking notable steps towards cracking down on unfair or deceptive fees, often referred to as junk fees. In a recent notice of proposed rulemaking, the FTC suggested a new rule aimed to curb such practices. This proposition if approved, would lay significant implications on companies across industries, emphasizing the…
On September 29, 2023, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued its first two decisions regulating online broadcasting companies. These decisions will significantly impact many online businesses in Canada. Notably, it mandates that such entities register with the CRTC. This ruling not only encompasses video and audio streaming services but also social media services….
In a decisive move, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently filed charges against three former executives of telecommunications and cloud software company, Pareteum Corporation. This action by the SEC forms part of its fiscal-year-end enforcement surge, according to a news report by JD Supra. The accused, who held senior positions in the…