Press

Statement on FCC Release of Derecho 9-1-1 Report

January 10, 2013

Background: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released its report on the failure of the 9-1-1 system impacted by the Derecho Storm of June 2012. Among the Report’s recommendations was a recommendation that the FCC require telephone central offices to have emergency back up power.

The following statement may be attributed to Harold Feld, Senior Vice President:

“The true test of an emergency communication system is in the extreme and unpredictable event. The importance of backup power was made clear in the aftermath of Katrina, but industry litigation prevented those recommendations from being implemented by the FCC.

Public Knowledge Applauds The FCC's 'Wright' Decision

December 28, 2012

Issues: 
Prison Phones

Today the FCC took an important step in rectifying disproportionately high phone rates levied on prisoners. The FCC decided to release the Wright Petition for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), that will re-open a discussion about prison phone rates that has been left stagnant for nearly a decade. 

The following can be attributed to Government Affairs Associate Clarissa Ramon: 

"This NPRM does not mark the success of our prison phone justice campaign as of yet, but it does indicate a significant step in the right direction at the FCC.

"After hundreds of family submitted letters, a rally at the FCC, and nearly a decade of bringing this issue to light prison phone justice is becoming more of a reality. We at Public Knowledge will continue to work with our allies to ensure that this issue stays on the commission's radar."

Public Knowledge Supports the Right to Record in the Southern District of New York

December 21, 2012

Today, Public Knowledge asked the District Court for the Southern District of New York to uphold the home recording rights of television viewers.

In the case known as In Re Autohop Litigation, PK opposed ABC's motion for a preliminary injunction against DISH's Hopper DVR, arguing that home recording of television programs is lawful even when viewers skip past commercials. 

PK's brief can be found here.
 
In September, PK filed in a similar case in the Central District of California, involving DISH and Fox.  A press release concerning that filing can be found here.

Public Knowledge Lauds Sen. Wyden's (D-OR) Stance On Data Caps

December 20, 2012

Issues: 
Data Caps

Today Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) proposed a data caps bill that encourages transparency for customers so they can further understand their data usage and to ensure that innovation is not jilted by a cap on data. For some time, Public Knowledge has championed the ousiting and further investigation of data caps and supports the stances held by Sen. Wyden.

The following can be attributed to Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Lewis:

"Data caps can create an artificial scarcity in the broadband market that limits consumer choice and hinders the creation of new competitive content online.  Public Knowledge supports Sen. Wyden's effort to provide consumers with transparency on their data usage and to ensure that these caps do not limit innovative products and uses on the Internet.  We look forward to a larger dialogue around this topic in the 113th Congress."

Public Knowledge Highlights The Role of Civil Society in The WCIT

December 17, 2012

The role that civil society played in the WCIT was limited but valuable. Civil society groups chided the ITU for a lack of transparency and on the failure to come to a consensus in revising the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR's) as the WCIT closed last week. However, it is important to note that the ITU did take major steps toward transparency by webcasting plenary and committe five sessions.

The following can be attributed to Senior Vice President Harold Feld:

"There is definitely a need to keep civil society groups in the conversations surrounding ITR's and the ITU. Public scrutiny and the involvement of civil society held countries around the world accountable while thwarting the most dangerous attempts at global censorship.

Public Knowledge Appoints NVPR President To Board of Directors

December 11, 2012

Public Knowledge, a digital media advocacy group aimed to preserve the openness and innovation of the Internet, announced today that NVPR founder and president, Hal Bringman, joins its board of directors. Bringman played a pivotal role in many of technology’s most groundbreaking events over the past 15 years as a communications strategist, digital media consultant and entrepreneur. 

Based in Washington, D.C., Public Knowledge is a highly respected advocacy group that promotes creativity through balanced copyright; and upholds and protects the rights of consumers to use innovative technology lawfully. Public Knowledge provides valuable counsel to political and business leaders on the impact government policies and regulations may have on future innovations, market economies and consumers rights.

The following can be attributed to NVPR President  Hal Bringman:

Public Knowledge Pleased with The FCC's Technology Transition Task Force

December 10, 2012

Today the FCC announced the creation of a task force to update communications policies for a new technological era. In particular, the task force will look into issues surrounding the modernization of the telephone network, interconnection between networks, broadband competition, and the reliability of communications.

The FCC noted in its announcement that while certain of its rules may need to be updated, changes to technology do not fundamentally alter its duty to protect competition or consumers.

The following can be attributed to Senior Vice President Harold Feld:

Public Knowledge Welcomes Sen. Jim DeMint to the Think Tank Community

December 06, 2012

Today, Sen. Jim DeMint (R- South Carolina)  announced that he will leave the Senate at the beginning of January to become the President of the Heritage Foundation, one of the largest think tanks in America.   

The following statement can be attributed to President Gigi Sohn:

"Although it's a surprise, we welcome and extend our congratulations to Sen. DeMint on his new post at the Heritge Foundation. As a member of the think tank community, we look forward to working together on common ground issues. The future holds many opportunities for Public Knowledge and the Internet and Technology arm of the Heritage Foundation to work together."

Decision Upholding FCC's Data Roaming Order is a Win for Wireless Users

December 04, 2012

Issues: 
WIPO Broadcasting Treaty

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the Federal Communications Commission's "Data Roaming Order," which requires that wireless carriers offer data (wireless Internet access) roaming services to other carriers on "commercially reasonable terms." This allows wireless users to use all the functions of their phones even in places where their carriers might not have coverage. The court's decision is linked here.

The following statement can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge:

Public Knowledge On IRFA: A Good Start To Fair Royalties

November 30, 2012

Background: The Internet Radio Fairness Act is a bill that has been introduced to both the Senate and Congress. It works to achieve parity and sustainability in the online radio marketplace by changing the standard by which online radio royalties are set to the same factors used for cable and satellite radio. The current standard has led to royalty rates that often amount to more than half of the service's revenues, in a field where no major online radio company has ever earned a profit.

The following can be attributed to Staff Attorney Jodie Griffin: