Bulletin Categories: Advertising

Television JSAs—Can Congressional Action Save Some? July 15, 2015

Television Joint Sales Agreements (“JSAs”) have been in the news again, as a result of proposed federal legislation to “grandfather” certain JSAs. But, first, a little background: What Is a...

FTC Revises Endorsement FAQs, Provides Additional Answers to Endorsement Disclosure Questions June 23, 2015

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently released its updated “What People are Asking” FAQs regarding its Endorsement Guides. The FTC’s Endorsement Guides help define what the FTC would consider...

Legislation Introduced in the U.S. Senate to Grandfather JSAs May 14, 2015

A bi-partisan quartet of U.S. Senators—Senators Blunt (MO), Schumer (NY), Scott (SC) and Mikulski (MD)—introduced legislation that would grandfather every joint sales agreement (“JSA”) that was in effect as of...

STELA Reauthorization is Now Law December 10, 2014

After a tense year of competing proposals to reauthorize STELA, the House of Representatives, on November 19, 2014, passed the STELA Reauthorization Act (now called “STELAR,” but previous versions were...

Filing Deadline Established for Attributable Television Joint Sales Agreements November 3, 2014

The FCC has announced that commercial television stations that are party to existing attributable joint sales agreements (JSA) must file copies of such agreements with the Commission by November 28,...

Change to Ohio Political Communications/Identification Statute September 22, 2014

Effective September 15, 2014, Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.20 has been amended to simplify the identification of the source of a political advertisement. New Ohio Revised Code Section 3517.20(B)(1)(c) now provides...

Cable Networks Face Staggering Fines for Misuse of EAS Sounds March 14, 2014

The FCC has continued enforcement against misuse of Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) sounds by imposing staggering fines for violations of the Commission’s rules prohibiting the broadcast of actual or simulated...

OAB Files Comments Regarding FCC Rules Under Telephone Consumer Protection Act December 18, 2013

On Dec. 17, the OAB joined North Carolina and Virginia broadcasters in filing joint reply comments regarding the FCC’s new rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which affect texting promotional...

False Alert Signals in Advertising Draw Enforcement Activity Against Broadcasters November 15, 2013

Emergency Alert System (EAS) sound-alikes in advertisements have recently drawn the attention of the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau. The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of false, deceptive, or simulated alert signals...