The FCC is getting tough against companies violating rules...
The FCC is getting tough against companies violating rules designed to protect licensees from stray radio waves thrown off as a by-product by all digital devices, warned Mitchell Lazarus of Fletcher Heald on the law firm’s blog. All manufacturers need…
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should beware, he said. “The biggest FCC fine in recent memory for an equipment violation -- an even $1 million -- came down against a company that marketed digital audio devices,” Lazarus wrote (http://bit.ly/19l2y1l). “Another company that distributes professional audio equipment settled with the FCC for $125,000. Still another company that makes professional gear settled for $72,000. The iconic guitar-maker Fender agreed to pay an impressive $265,000.” Another company, Rane, which supplies DJs and contractors, “agreed to hand over $61,500 because some of its gear (and the associated instruction manuals) did not contain certain fine print disclosures required by the FCC,” he said. Equipment makers should learn from these mistakes, Lazarus said. “Perhaps you think you are safe -- that the FCC will never find you. Think again. We don’t know how the Rane matter came to the FCC’s attention. But we do know that many enforcement actions originate with tips sent in by the offender’s competitors. If you have competitors, chances are they double as FCC agents who watch your company’s every move. The only good defense is to know the rules and comply with them."