IP-Enabled Services and E-Commerce

The growth of the Internet is rapidly transforming every aspect of today’s communications environment.  In addition to carrying data, for which the Internet protocol was originally designed, the Internet now carries voice, video, and audio.  The FCC has expanded the regulatory duties of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, subjecting them to many of the most significant federal regulatory obligations of common carriers, including law enforcement access, disabilities access requirements, payment of FCC-mandated fees, support for 911 and E-911 services and number porting.  We represent clients before the FCC and the courts of appeals on a wide variety of matters relating to IP-enabled services.  Our attorneys are well qualified to help our clients find solutions that will preserve the innovative character of the Internet while addressing the concerns of government decision makers.

In addition, Internet and e-commerce businesses face a host of other growing legal and regulatory challenges including crafting enforceable end-user agreements, trademark, copyright and privacy regulation.

Representative Matters

• Advising service providers as to the applicability of and compliance with FCC law enforcement access, disabilities access, customer privacy, 911 and E911 fees, and number porting requirements.
• Representing major equipment manufacturers and service providers before the FCC and Congress in proceedings addressing the regulation of VoIP and other Internet-protocol-based services.
• Representing major providers of Internet-protocol-based services before the FCC in connection with 911 and CALEA issues.
• Drafting and serving as lead outside advocate for Petition for Forbearance seeking to have the FCC confirm that VoIP is not subject to interstate and intrastate access charges.
• Representing a major VoIP provider in seeking to enjoin state universal service assessments on VoIP providers.
• Assisting VoIP providers with FCC-required revenue reporting and fee assessments for universal service, FCC regulatory fees, and other fees, as well as with related FCC investigations.
• Representing VoIP providers in disputes with carriers over interprovider compensation charges and payments.
• Assisting e-commerce companies with trademark disputes.
• Drafting web-based customer contracts and terms of use policies.
• Complying with U.S. and international privacy regulations.
• Complying with Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) take-down requirements.