Burr & Forman represents communications and media companies on a full spectrum of issues—contractual, managerial, financial, governmental and constitutional.
Our services involve contract negotiations, labor and employment matters, constitutional and creditors’ rights and regulatory matters. Through long experience, we are well acquainted with the issues and objectives of key industry players, including reporters, broadcasters, publishers, networks, the FCC, telecommunications companies and wireless infrastructure companies.
In addition, we have considerable litigation experience representing telecommunications clients, including both service providers and technology manufacturers, in class action litigation, general civil litigation, and before arbitration panels, governmental tribunals, and regulatory boards. These matters have involved disputes over consumer billing practices, service contract obligations among carriers, product warnings, and E-911 surcharge assessment and collection.
The experience and capabilities of our telecommunications and media attorneys include:
Negotiating tower agreements for television or relay towers
Drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, easements, leases, licenses and other documents related to the development of telecommunications towers
Drafting and negotiating agreements regarding distributed antenna systems in public and private facilities
Advising television station clients as to the constitutional limits of gag orders and invasion of privacy concerns
Defending First Amendment issues and reporters’ rights to access information
Fighting subpoenas for video footage and reporters’ notes not used in broadcasts
Handling a wide variety of day-to-day labor and employment matters
Trademark and Patent filings, licensing and defense
Negotiating talent contracts and non-compete agreements unique to the broadcast industry
Negotiating carrier and network agreements
Negotiating interconnection agreements
Serving as a liaison for FCC and state regulatory matters
Establishing documentation for telecommunication billing and collection operations
Handling individual and class action lawsuits arising out of customer billing practices
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Media
Defended local television property of national media company in defamation claim by plaintiff who was identified in an investigative story on serial workers compensation claims. Summary judgment granted.
Media
Defense of syndicated talk radio personality and host station in defamation claim by well-known business figure for alleged injurious comments about him and his wife. Dismissed.
Media
Representation of media clients in litigation involving non-competes, talent contract negotiation and other employment matters.
Media
Defense of web magazine publisher in defamation and false-light claims by a startup motor vehicle manufacturer. Dismissed.
Media
Defense of major national newspaper on claim of defamation and false-light by a person identified in news story about abuse and over-subscribing of prescription drugs.
