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Desktop Image: Waggoner, Daniel M.
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Daniel M. Waggoner

Partner

T 206.757.8163 Seattle
M 206.419.0605
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Dan Waggoner focuses on communications, media, and intellectual property issues under the Communications Act, intellectual property laws, and the First Amendment. Dan has a deep knowledge of the converging communications, media, entertainment, and technology industries and the legal and business issues facing them, as well as the legal issues related to the internet and World Wide Web.

For many years, Dan has represented Microsoft, Time Warner, T-Mobile, and Amazon, as well as many traditional and emerging producers and content providers for streaming and other distribution channels.

Dan's areas of focus include:

  • Advising technology, media and communications companies on product and service rollouts and the regulatory issues for them.
  • Working with companies throughout the wireless ecosystem on a range of strategic transactional and regulatory matters, including resale.
  • Negotiating content, communications, logistics, and technology contracts, as well joint ventures and strategic transactions.
  • Advising media, entertainment, and production companies and distributors on clearance and IP issues.
  • Litigating and advising on specialized issues under the First Amendment, intellectual property laws and the Communications Act.
  • Negotiating communications and data center infrastructure agreements for cloud providers and other companies.

MVNO and related resale negotiations

Represents both MVNOs and Carriers in negotiations.

U.S. West Communications v. Jennings

Represented AT&T Wireless in 9th Circuit Court in appeal of a ruling regarding various 1996 Telecommunications Act issues. 304 F.3d 950 (9th Cir. 2002)

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

In a case that set standards for copyright fair use in cases of parody, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the commercial nature of a parody does not render it presumptively beyond the bounds of fair use. Filed amicus curiae brief on behalf of HBO and other media companies. 510 U.S. 569, 114 S. Ct. 1164 (U.S. 1994)

Holliday v. Cable News Network (CNN)

Defended CNN against copyright infringement and breach of contract lawsuit brought by the videographer of the infamous home video depicting Rodney King's beating by Los Angeles police. Obtained summary judgment dismissing claim. (1994)

In re Cable News Network, Inc.

Represented CNN in prior restraint action brought by Manuel Noriega to prevent broadcast of tapes of phone conversations between Noriega and his defense counsel. Case involved conflict between First Amendment prohibition against prior restraints on media and Sixth Amendment right to fair trial. 917 F.2d 1543; cert. denied, 498 U.S. 976 (11th Cir. 1990)
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Admitted to Practice

  • Washington, 1979
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • J.D., Yale Law School, 1979
  • B.A., Tufts University, 1974, summa cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Co-chair, Pacific Northwest Chapter, 2024-2025; Co-chair, Wireline, 2024-2025 – Federal Communications Bar Association
    • Advisory Board, Wireless Influencers Conferences, sponsored by Rutberg & Co.
    • Past Chair, Forum on Communications Law, American Bar Association
    • Chair, MLRC-NAB-NAA Media Law Conference 

Professional Recognition

    • Received the "H. Stewart Tremaine Award for Exemplary Teamwork," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2023
    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in First Amendment Law, 1991-present; Communications Law, 2007-present; named in Technology Law, 2023-present
    • Selected by Best Lawyers as Seattle's "Lawyer of the Year" in Communications, 2012 
    • Selected to "Washington Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2003-2004, 2011-2015
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11.16.23
Presentations
Moderator, "Content Creation and Moderation in an Uncertain Legal Environment," AI Big Data and Cloud Conference, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More
Publications
03.10.23
News
T-Mobile Honors Davis Wright Tremaine With Excellence in Diversity Award Read More
10.25.22
Presentations
Moderator, "First Amendment and Constitutional Law Issues for Technology Companies," AI, Big Data, and The Cloud Conference 2022, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle
10.25.22
Presentations
Moderator, "The Metaverse: What Is It and What Are the Legal Issues for the Evolving Ecosystem?," AI, Big Data, and The Cloud Conference 2022, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle
Presentation
07.08.21
Presentations
Technology + Privacy & Security
Panelist, "The Future of Content Moderation," Online Platform Regulation Series–Session 3: Social Media Content Moderation, FCBA Read More
Presentation
04.13.21
Presentations
Moderator, “Ensuring Broadband for All,” The Converging Communications and Technology Sectors: Industry Regulatory & Legal Issues – An FCBA All-Chapter Event Read More
Presentation
11.17.20
Presentations
Co-Chair, "AI, Big Data and Cloud Conference," Webinar, hosted by Davis Wright Tremaine Read More
Presentation
10.05.2020
Presentations
Technology + Privacy & Security
Moderator, "Preparing for 5G—The Next Wave of High Speed Networks," Webinar, FCBA – Pacific Northwest Chapter Read More
Presentation
02.04.20
Presentations
Technology + Privacy & Security
Program Chair, IoT Successes and Challenges: Commercial and Industrial Uses, Davis Wright Tremaine/Washington IoT Council, Bellevue, Wash. Read More
Presentation
06.25.19
Presentations
Technology + Privacy & Security
"AI, Big Data and Cloud Conference," hosted by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Seattle Read More
Publications
06.05.19
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Honored by T-Mobile With 2018 Diversity Excellence Award Read More
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