Bell Atlantic sues to change 1984 Cable Act

Article Abstract:

Bell Atlantic Corp files suit in federal court in Alexandria, VA, to overturn the part of the of the 1984 Cable Act that prohibits local telephone companies from offering cable TV service within their phone-service areas. The suit is against US Attorney General William P. Barr and the Federal Communications Commission, who enforce the law. Bell Atlantic says that the restriction violates its Fifth Amendment right to equal protection and its First Amendment right to free speech. The company says that cable firms have been offering telephone services. In response, Bell Atlantic is improving its network so that it can carry video signals. It will probably be two or three years before the lawsuit is resolved.

Laws, regulations and rules, Internet services, Cable television, Bell Atlantic Corp., BEL, Regional Bell Operating Companies, Government Regulation, Lawsuits, Cable Television/Data Services, Bell Regional Holding Companies

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Phone listings can be copied, justices decide

Article Abstract:

The Supreme Court has ruled that the white-pages listing of names, addresses and phone numbers in a telephone directory is not protected by federal copyright law. The decision is expected to have considerable repercussions in the direct-marketing and information services industries, and to make it considerably easier for marketing companies to access personal consumer information. The companies that will benefit most from the decision are independent directory publishers and those involved in direct mail and marketing, who often draw their mailing lists from telephone company books. The ruling excludes telephone book yellow page advertisements, which are considered to involve creativity and originality.

Book publishing, Publishing industry, Analysis, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Telephone companies, Copyright, Copyrights, Intellectual property, Directories, Patents, Telephone directories, Patent/Copyright Issue, Legal Issues, Telephone Company, Court Cases

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