Court Denies UMG’s Feeble Attempt To Amend Copyright Infringement Complaint Against Grande Communications
There is a new development in the recording industry’s lawsuit against Texas ISP Grande Communications. A Magistrate Judge has denied UMG’s motion to file an amended complaint, calling the move an attempt to re-litigate issues already decided by the court.
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Says Charter’s VoIP Service is an Information Service
In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s ruling that classifies Charter Communications’ interconnected, fixed VoIP service as an “information service” under the Communications Act. As a result, state regulation of Charter’s VoIP services is preempted.
“Punching Above Your Weight” – AMG Big Winner in CAF II Auction
One big CAF II auction winner is AMG Technology Investment Group LLC, receiving a total of $281.28 million over ten years, to serve 100,581 locations in six states. AMG does business as NextLink, a Texas-based fixed wireless Internet service provider. Will AMG be able to follow through on the promises it made to win CAF II funding? On paper seems like a long shot.
FCC Announces Results of Connect America Fund Phase II Auction
The Federal Communications Commission has announced the results of the recently-completed Connect America Fund Phase II auction. There were 103 winning bidders, receiving a total of $1.488 billion in support over a 10-year period.
Cryptocurrency Investor Files SIM Swap Lawsuit Against AT&T
Cryptocurrency investor Michael Terpin has filed a lawsuit against wireless provider AT&T for failing to prevent a fraudulent SIM swap on his account, which Mr. Terpin alleges resulted in the loss of $24 million in cryptocurrency. Mr. Terpin claims he fell victim to SIM swap fraud at the hands of criminals working directly with an AT&T employee.
UMG v. Grande Communications Update: Grande’s Motion For Summary Judgment
For the past 18 months, Texas-based Internet service provider Grande Communications Networks, LLC has been defending itself against a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by a group of record companies. The parties have conducted discovery, and Grande has moved for summary judgment.
Update on UMG v. Grande Communications: UMG’s Files Summary Judgment Motion To Strip Grande of DMCA Safe Harbor Defense
In 2017, some of the largest record companies in the U.S. filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Grande Communications Networks, LLC, a Texas-based Internet service provider, alleging Grande broadband subscribers repeatedly infringed copyrighted works by reproducing and distributing them using BitTorrent. The record companies claim Grande is secondarily liable for these infringements because Grande does not follow its DMCA policy by terminating subscribers who are repeat infringers. The record companies have moved for summary judgment, seeking to strip Grande of its Section 512 DMCA safe harbor from secondary copyright infringement liability.
New Ambitious Performance Testing Framework For Fixed Broadband Providers Receiving USF Support
The Federal Communications Commission has released an Order setting a framework for measuring speed and latency performance for broadband providers that receive high-cost universal service fund support to serve fixed locations. Broadband provides must conduct the required testing using one of three options, and submit their results annually. Failure to comply will result in a loss of support.
NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association Says FCC National Security Rule Is A Hot Mess
NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association has filed comments in response to the FCC’s National Security NPRM, calling the FCC’s proposed rule prohibiting the use of universal service support to purchase equipment and services from blacklisted foreign companies is “overly broad and lacks clarity.” NTCA also identified numerous other concerns with the rule, and likened the NPRM to a notice of inquiry because of the high-level questions asked by the FCC.