Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
New readers can receive our RBR Morning Epaper FREE for the next 60 Business days! SIGN UP HERE
Welcome to RBR's Daily Epaper
Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher

Click on the banner to learn more...


SCOTUS sets the chattering class on fire

Whenever something big happens in the communications arena, you can be sure that an entire flock of flacks will be sending out pearls of wisdom from the halls of Congress, the bureaucracy, associations and watchdogs. And after Monday's Supreme Court triple play which featured two rulings - - Brand X, Grokster, and one decision not to decide - - confidential source shielding, the wires have been humming with commentary. TVBR will spool it out for you in relatively easy-to-digest pieces. Today: three FCC commissioners on Brand X, RTNDA on shield and, on Grokster, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) and the Christian Coalition of America.


FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy: "I am gratified that the Supreme Court has deferred to the Commission's finding that cable modem services are 'information services.' As I stated when the ruling upheld today was adopted, this classification accords the Commission the flexibility it needs to craft a minimal regulatory environment that promotes investment and innovation in a competitive marketplace. Now that the Court has resolved lingering uncertainty regarding the regulatory treatment of cable-based Internet access services, I am hopeful that the Commission will act quickly to establish a similarly forward-looking approach for competitive wireline DSL services."

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps: "We really have our work cut out for us now. In the wake of this decision, the FCC confronts the challenge of protecting consumers, maintaining universal service and ensuring public safety in uncertain legal terrain. Today's decision makes the climb much steeper. But this country just has to find ways to promote innovation, enhance competition, protect the openness of the Internet, and return the United States to a position of leadership in broadband penetration. The Commission needs to think anew and act anew to meet these challenges, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to do just that."

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein: "Today, the Supreme Court provided long-awaited guidance on the legal classification of cable broadband modem services. Speeding the wide deployment of broadband services throughout this country is one of the top priorities for the Commission. The Court's decision should not mean that policymakers turn their backs on American consumers or neglect public safety. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the FCC and with Congress to both promote a truly competitive marketplace and to ensure that all consumers are protected and have access to affordable broadband services."


Barbara Cochran, President, RTNDA: "The court's decision makes the need for Congress to pass the Free Flow of Information Act all the more compelling. It is up to Congress to recognize that an informed citizenry and the preservation of news sources are of vital importance to a free society."


Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA): "That this is a unanimous decision speaks volumes to what we all know is true: stealing is stealing. The culture which allowed a business to rely on theft has robbed our creative community. Today's ruling is a victory for American innovation. It helps assure that artists will continue to thrive and create the music and movies we love. Technology and the Internet win, too, because this decision will propel opportunities for legitimate music and movie distribution services."

Christian Coalition of America (CCA) President Roberta Combs: "Christian Coalition is confident that today's unanimous decision in the 'peer to peer' Internet case will result in less child pornography and other types of pornography being distributed on the Internet. The court also sent a message to America's children that stealing other people's property is not acceptable in our society. In a seemingly rare event, the United States Supreme Court came down on the side of morality in America and we commend them for that."


Radio Business Report
First... Fast... Factual and Independently Owned

Sign up here!
New readers can receive our RBR Morning Epaper
FREE for the next 60 Business days!

Have a news story you'd like to share? [email protected]

Advertise with RBR | Contact RBR

©2005 Radio Business Report/Television Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.
Radio Business Report -- 2050 Old Bridge Road, Suite B-01, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 -- Phone: 703-492-8191