Chairs' Column
By Kathleen Grillo and Ryan Wallach
Greetings from the steering committee! As summer arrives, we want to
thank all of you who participated this past year in D.C. Bar activities.
We encourage each CTLS member to help us identify opportunities, organize
programs and events and, of course, attend programs. We are always trying
to learn more about how we can serve the membership as well as the D.C.
community.
Once again, the section had a very productive year in terms of programming. Our events spanned a broad array of communications issues often delving into the hottest topics of the year and emerging issues such as the XM-SIRIUS merger review, the digital television transition, public safety and critical infrastructure, and the intersection of behavioral advertising and privacy with antitrust law and merger reviews. Continuing with our ongoing efforts to offer programming that provides our members with practical knowledge about the industries and technologies in the communications field, we held a two-part program featuring experts from the Federal Communication Commission explaining “How Networks Work.” Some of our best programs this year were organized by section members and we welcome and encourage involvement from the Section.
This year, we continued our focus on facilitating Section community outreach. We sponsored a tour of XM Satellite Radio’s facilities for local high school students. We also hosted an exhibit table at the 2008 Youth Law Fair, an annual community outreach educational event for senior high and middle school students in the Washington metropolitan area. We owe a special thanks to section members and Community Outreach cochairs Lynne Anderson and Joy Ragsdale who coordinated these programs. If you would like to become more involved in Section community outreach programs, please watch for announcements about ways you can help develop and support our community outreach efforts or contact one of the steering committee members.
In the meantime, if you know anyone who would like to join the section, please have them contact Sections Office at 202-626-3463.
Regards,
Kathleen Grillo and Ryan Wallach
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Past Section Events
XM-SIRIUS: An Out-of-This-World Monopolist or Just Another Down-to-Earth Competitor?
This was a discussion of what effects the merger of satellite
radio operators XM and SIRIUS would have on competition and consumers.
The October 2007 panel, facilitated by Ryan Wallach (Willkie, Farr &
Gallagher) featured David H. Solomon, (Wilkinson Barker Knauer and Outside
Counsel for National Association of Broadcasters), Andrew Jay Schwartzman,
(Media Access Project), Randolph J. May, (The Free State Foundation),
and Gigi B. Sohn, (Public Knowledge) presented their views on the legal
issues implicated by the proposed merger as well as the benefits and
harms the merger could have in today’s radio marketplace.
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Communications Essentials – How Networks Work
This was a December 2007 two-part program for attorneys who want to better understand “How networks Work.” The first installment, featuring Richard Hovey (FCC Network Technologist) focused on the U.S. telecommunications network, describing the basic components (loops, switches, transport) and protocols (TDM, frame relay, ATM, etc.) of the telecommunications network and how they all hook together (signaling, numbering, etc.). The second installment, featuring Robert Cannon (FCC Senior Counsel for Internet Law) focused on the Internet, describing the basic components (access, transport; autonomous systems) and operation (DNS, Global routing etc.) of the Internet and some of the services, such as VPN, provided thereon. Nick Alexander (FCC Wireline Competition Bureau) moderated both sessions.
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2008: Washington’s View of the Year for Telecom, Media and IT
Senior advisors from key Congressional Committees, Colin Crowell (House Subcommittee for Telecom and the Internet) and Jessica Rosenworcel (U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation); Brian Huseman (Federal Trade Commission Chief of Staff), Bruce Gottleib, (FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps, Legal Advisor), David Murray, (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) and Jessica Zufolo, (Medley Global Advisors investment group) discussed what Washington has in store during 2008 for the telecom, media and IT industries. This January 2008 panel was moderated by Carolyn Brandon (CTIA - the Wireless Association).
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Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure: Key Issues for 2008 and Beyond
J. Bradford Ramsey, (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, NARUC), Patrick Halley, (National Emergency Number Association, NENA), Robert Mayer (U.S. Telecom Association) and moderator Allan Manuel, (FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau) discussed key legislative and regulatory issues related to public safety, critical infrastructure protection, and homeland security issues, at the top of 2008 state and federal policy agendas at this January 2008 panel.
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The Digital Television Transition One Year Out: Progress and Prognosis
With the deadline for the transition from analog to digital television just one year away, the federal government, industry, and consumer groups who are actively planning for its arrival discussed what the FCC and NTIA are doing to ensure a smooth process, what the transition will mean for consumers, and what key issues remain to be addressed at this February 2008 panel. The speakers were Anita Wallgren, (NTIA), Pam Slipakoff (FCC), Jane Mago, (National Association of Broadcasters, NAB) and Diane Burstein, (National Cable & Telecommunications Association, NCTA). Matthew Brill, (Latham & Watkins) and Lynn Charytan, WilmerHale served as moderators for the discussion.
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The Evolving World of Online Search and Advertising: Antitrust/Merger and Behavioral Advertising Considerations:
The FTC recently voted not to block the Google/Doubleclick acquisition, fueling concerns from privacy advocates. Meanwhile, amidst rumors of other mergers involving household-name technology companies, the online search and advertising industry continues to grow. On April 8, 2008, expert panelists from the government and private sector— Peter Swire, (Ohio State University Law School and Center for American Progress), Michael Moiseyev (FTC Bureau of Competition), Richard Quaresima, (FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, Advertising Practices Division), David Gelfand (Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP) and moderator Heidi Salow (DLA Piper)—gave their views on this market, including the key issues in the FTC's analysis of the Google/ Doubleclick deal and the FTC's proposed online Behavioral Advertising principles.
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Community Outreach Activities
XM Tour
Our section arranged for twenty-three seventh-grade and eighth-grade students and two teachers totour the XM Satellite Radio production facilities on Friday, March 14, 2008. Mr. Alvin Fisher conducted the tour andwas very engaging with the students. In addition to explaining satellite and radio operations, Mr. Fisher advised the students about career opportunities and internships. He also stressed the importance ofa college education. Tour highlights included observing “live” recordings, as well as meeting several XM radio personalities, includingD.C. legend Mr. Bobby Bennett. As a final send-off, Ms. Carolyn Turner, coordinator, Corporate Affairs,gave the students XM-logo gift bags. The teachers and students had a wonderful day and look forward to arranging similar tours for their younger students.
Youth Law Fair 2008
On March 8, 2008, CTLS hosted an exhibit table at the 2008
Youth Law Fair, an annual community outreach educational event for senior
high and middle school students in the Washington metropolitan area.
Community outreach coordinator Lynne Anderson and Section members Greg
Harding and John “Grif” Johnson hosted an exhibit table
providing students with educational materials and games relating to
Internet safety, accountability, and responsibility.
Contact Computer and Telecommunications Law Section outreach coordinators Joy Ragsdale at (202) 515-2767 or Lynne Anderson at (703) 299-1455, the D.C. Bar Sections Office at (202) 626-3463, or send an e-mail to D.C. Bar Sections.
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Upcoming CTLS Events
In June, we are planning a Brown bag lunch program featuring tech and telecom
policy advisors to the Presidential candidates. Watch your email for
more details.
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Newsletter and CTLS Web Site Input Sought
CTLS’ newsletter and CLTS Web site welcomes your input for newsworthy
information for publication and posting. Publication and posting
is free, as a service and as a benefit to CTLS' members. CTLS relies
on CTLS members for newsletter and Web site content, including ideas
for Web site links. Please submit your ideas or newsletter items to
Emmitt Carlton.
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