NAB distributing battery operated TV/AM/FM sets
The NAB announced that it is partnering with broadcasters in Louisiana and Mississippi to distribute 1,300 batter-operated handheld TV/AM/FM sets to public safety officials assiting with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The five-inch analog TVs, purchased by the NAB from St. Louis-based GPX, will be distributed among state police officials and other public safety organizations in both states.
XM donating receivers, airing Red Cross Radio
XM Satellite Radio has launched Red Cross Radio on XM channel 248 as a nationwide channel to provide help and information for Hurricane Katrina victims, Red Cross staff and volunteers along the Gulf Coast and other Red Cross workers across the country. XM said it is also distributing free receivers to the Red Cross for relief workers, shelters and aid stations.
Website to assist hurricane relief efforts
The NAB announced that it has created a new website, www.BroadcastUnity.oirg, to serve as a resource for broadcasters in their relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims. The NAB has designated Friday, September 9ths as BroadcastUnity Day, with stations encouraged to dedicate a minimum of 60 seconds at the top of each hours to air fundraising messages. Telethons and other fundraising efforts are also being encouraged.
Paxson airing New Orleans TV in Houston
For people who fled New Orleans for Houston, there's a little bit of home on the TV dial. Paxson's KPXB-TV Houston is now carrying local news coverage and Hurricane Katrina relief updates from Belo's WDSU-TV New Orleans from 6:00 to 11:00 pm daily. In fact, back in New Orleans, WDSU is still off the air, but broadcasting its programming on WPXL-TV, which Paxson LMAs from Flinn Broadcasting. According to Paxson President Dean Goodman, an estimated 150,000 people from Louisiana are now in Houston.
Steve.FM sends cease and desist to CC Radio/Columbia
Steve.FM, an independent Seattle-based Internet radio station, has asked Clear Channel to cease and desist from using its name in connection with a Clear Channel's WLTY-FM in Columbia, SC. www.Steve.FM has been operating since May and calls itself “Steve FM.” Clear Channel announced the name change of WLTY Steve-FM in mid-August, and has recently launched a website at the domain name steve-fm.com.
Steve Chapman, owner of Steve FM, feels that with prior usage of the name for his Internet station, he has grounds to ask Clear Channel not to use Steve FM as a station name: “Clearly, this corporate giant feels the little guy has no rights and they can do what they want, without fear of legal action.” “With just limited funds, I’ve created an Internet station and an image that will be harmed if Clear Channel decides to ignore my rights in this matter.” Chapman's Steve FM plays Seattle’s Rock ‘n’ Roots Internet radio.
RBR observation:
Because WLTY is a radio station and not an Internet stream first and foremost, and operating thousands of miles from Seattle, we figure CC will probably be willing to fight this one in court, if Chapman tries to go that route. If no precedent has yet been set on such a matter, perhaps this will be the case that does. Remember there is such an animal called – Common Law Trademarks etc. with prior usage especially with a website.
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
