A jury will have to decide whether a so-called Star Trek fan film is subjectively substantially similar to official Star Trek canon and willfully violates Star Trek copyright, U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner of Los Angeles ruled in an order (in Pacer) posted Wednesday denying summary judgment motions by both plaintiffs, CBS Studios and Paramount Pictures, and defendants, Axanar Productions and its president (see 1612060018). Klausner said both motions raise the same fundamental issues about the substantive similarity between the Axanar works and Star Trek copyrighted works, and whether Axanar/Peters have a valid fair use defense under the Copyright Act. The judge said the Axanar works have objective substantial similarity to Star Trek -- an objective extrinsic test and subjective intrinsic test for substantial similarity being 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tests for copyright infringement -- and they do use copyright-protected elements. Klausner peppered his decision with multiple Star Trek quips and asides, such as saying the copyright infringement claim "can live long and prosper if the Axanar Works are substantially similar" and elsewhere referencing the title of a 1969 episode of the original TV series.
Parties offered a jumble of views on possible telecom deregulation in biennial review reply comments posted Tuesday and Wednesday in various dockets, including 16-132. Wireline and wireless telcos and others generally proposed the commission repeal numerous rules in initial comments (see 1612060072). Republican Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, who will gain the majority under incoming President Donald Trump, have voiced enthusiasm for clearing what they term "regulatory underbrush," raising the profile of the proceeding (see 1612070040 and 1611030042).
Parties offered a jumble of views on possible telecom deregulation in biennial review reply comments posted Tuesday and Wednesday in various dockets, including 16-132. Wireline and wireless telcos and others generally proposed the commission repeal numerous rules in initial comments (see 1612060072). Republican Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, who will gain the majority under incoming President Donald Trump, have voiced enthusiasm for clearing what they term "regulatory underbrush," raising the profile of the proceeding (see 1612070040 and 1611030042).
The FCC Media Bureau issued an order Wednesday denying reconsideration petitions that were made to the full commission and without providing any notice of the action to Republican commissioner offices, according to a released statement from Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O'Rielly which followed our inquiries and bureau documents. “This smacks of midnight regulation” said broadcast attorney Todd Gray of Gray Miller, who represents a group of more than 60 noncommercial TV and radio stations that appealed to the full FCC a rule change that would require the stations to provide certain additional personal information on ownership forms (see 1601200064). “I find it bizarre that the Media Bureau has the delegated authority to act on a petition addressed to the full commission,” Gray said.
The Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability's ongoing debate about how to address the organization's post-Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition jurisdiction is again raising U.S. stakeholders' eyebrows, several said in interviews. CCWG-Accountability is tackling ICANN's jurisdictional issues as part of its work on a second set of recommended changes to the organization's accountability mechanisms (see 1610030042). The working group postponed a decision on ICANN jurisdiction during its work on its first set of accountability recommendations amid concerns the issue could derail the now-completed IANA oversight handoff (see 1508040058). Stakeholders said they're seeing measurable progress on other accountability issues expected to be included in CCWG-Accountability's second set of recommendations.
The Senate Commerce Committee in 2017 will tackle incoming administration nominations in the shorter term and look to evaluate broader infrastructure plans, while assessing telecom legislation action, Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday, the first day of Congress’ new session. He revived his spectrum legislation known as Mobile Now. Names of new Republican members were unveiled, completing the roster listings for both parties. Thune is eyeing several ways to work with President-elect Donald Trump and wants the Commerce Committee to hold hearings on Trump’s commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross and transportation secretary nominee Elaine Chao next week, he told reporters. He declined to specify dates, citing many swirling elements.
The Senate Commerce Committee in 2017 will tackle incoming administration nominations in the shorter term and look to evaluate broader infrastructure plans, while assessing telecom legislation action, Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday, the first day of Congress’ new session. He revived his spectrum legislation known as Mobile Now. Names of new Republican members were unveiled, completing the roster listings for both parties. Thune is eyeing several ways to work with President-elect Donald Trump and wants the Commerce Committee to hold hearings on Trump’s commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross and transportation secretary nominee Elaine Chao next week, he told reporters. He declined to specify dates, citing many swirling elements.
The Cross Community Working Group on Enhancing ICANN Accountability's ongoing debate about how to address the organization's post-Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) transition jurisdiction is again raising U.S. stakeholders' eyebrows, several said in interviews. CCWG-Accountability is tackling ICANN's jurisdictional issues as part of its work on a second set of recommended changes to the organization's accountability mechanisms (see 1610030042). The working group postponed a decision on ICANN jurisdiction during its work on its first set of accountability recommendations amid concerns the issue could derail the now-completed IANA oversight handoff (see 1508040058). Stakeholders said they're seeing measurable progress on other accountability issues expected to be included in CCWG-Accountability's second set of recommendations.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., enters January as the favored contender to chair the House Communications Subcommittee next Congress, industry lobbyists told us. Her rhetoric has been among the GOP’s strongest on telecom, and she is seen as more influential lately due to her status as a transition executive vice chair for President-elect Donald Trump. Observers also acknowledge her as a veteran versed on the issues. She once compared the FCC’s net neutrality efforts to building an internet Iron Curtain and now says the new Congress should take on the open internet order and perhaps clarify the statute through a rewrite of the 1996 Telecom Act.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., enters January as the favored contender to chair the House Communications Subcommittee next Congress, industry lobbyists told us. Her rhetoric has been among the GOP’s strongest on telecom, and she is seen as more influential lately due to her status as a transition executive vice chair for President-elect Donald Trump. Observers also acknowledge her as a veteran versed on the issues. She once compared the FCC’s net neutrality efforts to building an internet Iron Curtain and now says the new Congress should take on the open internet order and perhaps clarify the statute through a rewrite of the 1996 Telecom Act.