Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

The Federal Communications Commission has proposed sweeping changes to TCPA consent revocation rules that would allow companies to limit opt-outs to specific communication categories and designate exclusive revocation methods. The draft order, scheduled for a September 30, 2026 vote, could fundamentally reshape how businesses handle consumer opt-out requests for calls and text messages.

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted sweeping new restrictions targeting equipment containing components from entities on its Covered List, fundamentally reshaping how manufacturers, online marketplaces, and equipment modifiers must approach FCC compliance. These rules establish unprecedented prohibitions on logic-bearing hardware components, impose strict display requirements for e-commerce platforms, and clarify when existing authorizations can support equipment modifications.

The FCC is proposing a significant expansion of the Robocall Mitigation Database that could bring more voice-related service providers under its oversight, while courts nationwide grapple with a fundamental question that may reshape TCPA litigation: whether text messages can still support National and Internal Do Not Call claims in the wake of recent judicial decisions.

The International Chamber of Commerce has released an updated Framework for Responsible Alcohol Marketing Communications, providing enhanced guidance on marketing to minors, influencer responsibilities, and alcohol-free brand extensions. This 2026 edition addresses critical issues in modern alcohol advertising, including transparency requirements and the special obligations marketers have when engaging influencers and endorsers.

A federal court in New York upheld a state law requiring social media platforms to disclose their content moderation policies, applying a deferential First Amendment standard. This decision directly conflicts with a Ninth Circuit ruling on California's similar statute, potentially setting the stage for Supreme Court review on whether such disclosure requirements constitute protected commercial speech or impermissible compelled expression.

California has enacted a comprehensive package of four bills that fundamentally reshape online safety protections for minors, targeting addictive design features, data privacy practices, age verification systems, and platform liability. These new laws establish strict requirements for social media companies, including mandatory stripped-down interfaces for users under 16, enhanced privacy defaults, and potential damages up to $1 million for negligent harm to children. The legislation represents one of the m

New Balance has filed a trade mark infringement lawsuit against Decathlon over a logo used on KIPRUN running shoes, claiming the mirrored device creates confusion with its iconic N mark. The dispute raises critical questions about how consumers perceive brand identifiers in real-world contexts, particularly when logos appear differently depending on viewing angle and product placement.

The FCC has released a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that could fundamentally reshape TCPA compliance requirements for businesses. The proposal addresses critical issues including shortened opt-out timeframes, mandatory two-way texting capabilities, "revoke all" mechanisms, and clarification on how revocation requests apply across affiliates and business divisions.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued new guidance clarifying price transparency requirements for automobile dealers, emphasizing that advertised vehicle prices must reflect the actual amount consumers can pay. These FAQs address mandatory fees, rebates, lease disclosures, and online listing compliance under federal law.

FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on November 17, 2026, requiring participation from all radio and television stations, cable systems, and satellite services. EAS Participants must file three separate forms through the EAS Test Reporting System, with specific deadlines ranging from October 30, 2026, through January 2027. Certain translator and repeater stations are exempt from the registration and filing requirements.

As entertainment lawyers, we are often asked a deceptively simple question by creatives, producers, and studios: “Can we use this trademark in our project?”

A federal appeals court has ruled that FCC Bureau-level decisions can be judicially reviewed even without full Commission action, while simultaneously striking down guidance that would have expanded mandatory discounted advertising rates beyond candidates to include joint fundraising committees and political party coordinated expenditures. The decision challenges the FCC's increasing practice of delegating substantive policy decisions to its Bureaus while shielding those decisions from immediate judicial sc