Legal risks for stations lurk online and in digital jungle

posted on 1.20.2017

 - Members only webinar Feb. 7

There are a host of legal issues that have arisen as the result of stations’ online presence.

Things have gotten very complicated for broadcasters as they have migrated from a strictly on-air presence to one that includes online and digital platforms and social media.

Just about every week one can read about a new legal issue caused by a broadcaster who did something they shouldn’t have online.

From station websites to station social media accounts, new concerns and issues have popped up for broadcasters because of copyright and trademark issues, privacy concerns, new forms of music licensing and developing government regulations that can affect at station’s Internet and other digital operations. 

TAB has scheduled a special webinar next month to explore the legal issues that can arise when broadcasters use online digital and social media platforms. 

David Oxenford, an attorney with TAB Associate member law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP, will present A Guide to the Online and Digital Jungle on Feb. 7, 1-3pm CT

Have any of the following questions come up at your station before?  

• A picture on the Internet that perfectly illustrates an article that you are posting on the station’s website.  Can you use the picture without getting permission? How about using it in the station’s Twitter feed or Facebook page?
• A TV station’s news department wants to use a YouTube video in a newscast.  Is there any issue with doing that?  Doesn’t “fair use” protect the station?
• The station pays ASCAP and BMI for rights to play a song over the air and on the station’s web stream.   Does a station have to pay ASCAP and BMI again if the morning drive show is archived and available as a podcast? 
• What station legal exposure exists because of the privacy and security of the personal information the station website collects or is collected by social media?
• The station has a live music segment in one of the station’s programs.   Local bands come into the studio to play live on-air, sometimes their own songs and other times covers of another artist’s songs.   Can you archive the show on-demand on your website?  
• Is the station liable for nasty comments made by a listener on the station's Facebook page? 

The answer for many stations?   Likely most of them.

Oxenford’s presentation will help stations identify many of the places where questions can arise.

It’s an ever-evolving area of the law and regulation and one can’t possibly keep up with it all, which is why General Managers, Program Directors, News Directors and Promotions staff should register for this free TAB webinar.

Get the help your station needs from the comfort of your desktop by taking advantage of another fine TAB member station service brought to you by our TAB Associate member law firms.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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