Bell Atlantic sues to change 1984 Cable Act
Article Abstract:
Bell Atlantic Corp files suit in federal court in Alexandria, VA, to overturn the part of the of the 1984 Cable Act that prohibits local telephone companies from offering cable TV service within their phone-service areas. The suit is against US Attorney General William P. Barr and the Federal Communications Commission, who enforce the law. Bell Atlantic says that the restriction violates its Fifth Amendment right to equal protection and its First Amendment right to free speech. The company says that cable firms have been offering telephone services. In response, Bell Atlantic is improving its network so that it can carry video signals. It will probably be two or three years before the lawsuit is resolved.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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Phone listings can be copied, justices decide
Article Abstract:
The Supreme Court has ruled that the white-pages listing of names, addresses and phone numbers in a telephone directory is not protected by federal copyright law. The decision is expected to have considerable repercussions in the direct-marketing and information services industries, and to make it considerably easier for marketing companies to access personal consumer information. The companies that will benefit most from the decision are independent directory publishers and those involved in direct mail and marketing, who often draw their mailing lists from telephone company books. The ruling excludes telephone book yellow page advertisements, which are considered to involve creativity and originality.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
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- Abstracts: Bell Atlantic hopes to cut 1,200 jobs, will consolidate several phone lines. Telecommunications automation saps clout of phone worker strike
- Abstracts: Two Baby Bells' software glitches create overcharges. Regional phone systems on both coasts are disrupted by glitches in software
- Abstracts: Bell firms, armed with $21 million, try to foster public outcry to lift legal restraints on services. Long-distance phone companies gird for wireless war; for AT&T, MCI and Sprint, future is in personal communications services
- Abstracts: Bell Atlantic's 3rd-quarter profit rose, U S West's fell while SNET's jumped. Four Baby Bells report net was generally flat; results indicate recession has reduced businesses' use of telephone service
- Abstracts: 1991 tax changes. Passive activity and casualty losses. OBRA '89 and business