CABLE COMMUNICATIONS
HIGHLY CONNECTED LEGAL EXPERTISE FOR NETWORKS

Cable networks regularly confront a variety of legal issues: everything from contracting with cable operators and competing multichannel video providers to complying with frequent regulatory changes, to the threat of more stringent regulation by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Because these issues have business implications, the lawyers representing cable networks need to know not only the law; they must also understand the cable industry and the impact legal issues can have on clients’ business operations. The attorneys at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP (DWT) have that depth of expertise.

As a leading media law firm on a national level, DWT represents a number of prominent cable networks. In counseling these and other clients, we pride ourselves on being able to integrate the related business issues in order to devise the best overall solution. Our attorneys also counsel clients across the entire spectrum of the telecommunications field, from wireline and wireless carriers to equipment manufacturers. We make it our business to stay ahead of the technology and ahead of the trends in this exciting industry, in order to provide top-quality assistance to our clients and their businesses.

Long-time industry leaders

Our lawyers have been advising cable networks throughout the lifetime of the industry. Our services include:

• Preparing comments and meeting with FCC commissioners on significant policy matters
  
  
• Participating in, monitoring, and reporting on FCC rulemaking proceedings
  
  
• Representing major industry groups in opposing FCC indecency enforcement and efforts to expand content regulation
  
  
• Preparing operational agreements between cable networks and cable TV operators
  
  
• Representing cable networks in licensing and production deals
  
  
• Counseling cable networks on content and programming matters, including conducting pre-broadcast reviews

We are leaders and long-time participants in the cable industry, giving us valuable perspective on representing cable industry clients. We have attorneys who have held senior positions at the FCC and been in-house with a large cable operator. Our lawyers have authored a treatise on communications law, edited a loose-leaf publication on regulation of the multi-channel video industry, written numerous articles on issues affecting cable networks, and been longtime leaders of the Federal Communications Bar Association.

Broad expertise

DWT has a large cadre of lawyers doing cable industry work, with many focused on one or more specific legal areas. As a result, we offer clients extraordinarily broad expertise. When a new industry issue surfaces, we can quickly involve a DWT lawyer with the skill set to address the matter.

When cable networks become embroiled in disputes, they often involve libel, theft of ideas and/or trademark infringement. DWT’s litigation lawyers have solid experience in handling these and other challenges. Whenever possible, we seek swift resolution of a dispute through an early victory in court or an alternative that yields an equally positive outcome. When it’s necessary to go to trial, however, our lawyers can achieve excellent results for clients.

The DWT advantage

Some law firms with a cable industry practice have only a single office, typically in Washington, D.C. DWT, however, not only has experienced industry lawyers in our D.C. office; we also have them in our New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle offices. Our multi-city presence can be a real benefit for cable networks with legal issues in specific states.

DWT is a full-service firm with more than 400 lawyers. In addition to handling legal problems that directly involve the cable industry, we can provide legal services to cable networks across a full range of legal matters, including employment, real estate, environmental, zoning and corporate transactions. We would be pleased to meet with you to discuss how our expertise can contribute to your success.