Internet, Telecom & Media

Steptoe is widely recognized for our experience in a wide array of federal regulatory matters before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US Departments of State, Commerce, Justice, Treasury, and Defense, the US Trade Representative, and the US Congress. We are also globally recognized for our work before European and international regulators, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrators (CEPT), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

• Satellite Communications. Steptoe boasts a long and storied history in domestic and international regulation of satellite communications. Whether transferring authorizations, prosecuting satellite and earth-station applications, or pressing for reform of related FCC processes, we provide our clients with extensive experience, timely strategic advice, and practical knowledge.
• Video Programming. Steptoe has been at the forefront of counseling clients in the video programming space — both on traditional cable television platforms and through so-called over-the-top distribution on the Internet. We have advised the largest video programming entities in the world on regulatory, litigation, and investigative proceedings. And, through this work, we have developed a deep understanding and expertise of the myriad issues affecting video programmers.
• Telecommunications. Our telecommunications clients rely on us to provide them with timely and sage advice on a variety of topics from general licensing matters, prosecuting transactions involving FCC licenses, and developing and implementing long-term strategies for changing FCC policy.
• Internet. Steptoe advises some of the world’s largest Internet platforms, as well as start-up firms, on all aspects of Internet law. We have been the leading law firm representing the commercial Internet sector on network neutrality matters since the inception of proceedings at the FCC. And, we assist clients on all aspects of e-commerce and content-related issues, including the privacy, potential liability for third-party content, copyright, accessibility, encryption, digital signatures, domain names, and taxation.
• Wiretapping and Data Security. Steptoe is at the cutting edge of law and regulations in this area, boasting some of the leading legal minds. Whether assessing internal procedures in the event of a data breach, responding to FTC investigations on privacy issues, coordinating cybersecurity operations with Homeland Security, or pressing for legislative changes on the Hill, Steptoe has expertise that cannot be found elsewhere.
• Export Control. For our international clients, Steptoe handles numerous export control matters. Blending legal and practical advice, Steptoe provides its clients with counseling on licensing issues, making jurisdictional assessments, responding to investigations and enforcement actions, and developing and implementing internal corporate compliance regimes.

Working hand-in-hand with our Commercial Litigation group, we have deep district and appellate court litigation experience to bring to bear on behalf of our clients.

• Appellate Litigation. When the regulatory machine breaks down, the litigators need to step in, and Steptoe has extensive appellate litigation expertise in regulatory matters and regularly appears before the Supreme Court and circuit courts on behalf of our clients.
• Media. Steptoe represents individuals and entities engaged in national, state, and local media in defending against defamation, invasion of privacy, and related claims; prosecutes public records litigation under the Freedom of Information Act; responds to civil, criminal, and grand jury subpoenas seeking testimony from reporters; and reviews content to minimize the likelihood of any successful defamation, privacy, or other action against the media company.

We advise clients on a wide variety of telecommunications transactional matters, from mergers and acquisitions to service agreements and equipment contracts.

• We have counseled clients on, and prosecuted applications for, transactions involving the sale of both foreign and domestic satellite systems and authorizations, as well as a variety of telecommunications service and infrastructure companies.
• Our expertise includes corporate, tax, securities, intellectual property, antitrust, bankruptcy, and related issues.
• We can also provide our clients with introductions to sources of financing, strategic partners, and content providers.