Source: https://www.fcc.gov/print/node/58873
Timestamp: 2015-11-26 00:42:17
Document Index: 306932233

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 302', '§ 2', 'art 5', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 74', 'art 74', '§ 74', '§ 74', 'art 2', '§ 74']

Custom Interface Technologies, A Division of Thornstar Corporation
DA 13-2153
Custom Interface Technologies, )
File No.: EB-10-LA-0130
A Division of Thornstar Corporation )
NAL/Acct. No.: 201232900002
FRN: 0019067206
In this Forfeiture Order (Order), we issue a monetary forfeiture in the amount of fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000) to Custom Interface Technologies, a Division of Thornstar Corporation (CIT), in Joshua Tree, California, for willfully and repeatedly violating Section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act),1 and Sections 2.803(a)(1)2 and 74.851(f) 3 of the Commission’s rules (Rules). The noted violations involved CIT’s manufacturing and marketing of unauthorized radio frequency devices. II. BACKGROUND
On November 17, 2011, the Enforcement Bureau’s Los Angeles Office (Los Angeles Office) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL)4 for fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000) to CIT for manufacturing and marketing uncertified video assist transmitters.5 In response to the NAL, CITdoes not deny the violations, but requests cancellation of the forfeiture based on its inability to pay.6
1 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).2 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(a)(1) (2011). We note that Section 2.803 of the Rules was amended effective May 29, 2013. See Promoting Expanded Opportunities For Radio Experimentation and Market Trials Under Part 5 of the Commission’s Rules and Streamlining Other Related Rules, Report and Order, 28 FCC Rcd 758 (2013). The relevant language for this proceeding, which was previously found in Section 2.803(a)(1), is now found in Section 2.803(b)(1): “General rule. No person may market a radio frequency device unless: (1) For devices subject to authorization under certification, the device has been authorized in accordance with the rules in subpart J of this chapter and is properly identified and labeled as required by § 2.925 and other relevant sections in this chapter . . . .” 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(b)(1) (2013). 3 47 C.F.R. § 74.851(f).4 Custom Interface Technologies, A Division of Thornstar Corporation, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 26 FCC Rcd 16000 (Enf. Bur. 2011) (NAL). A comprehensive recitation of the facts and history of this case can be found in the NAL and is incorporated herein by reference.
5 Id. Video assist transmitters are authorized under Part 74, Subpart H of the Rules for use by television and motion picture producers, transmitting on VHF and UHF television channels on a non-interference basis. 47 C.F.R § 74.870. This type of device is used as an aide in composing camera shots on motion picture and television sets. 47 C.F.R § 74.801. All such transmitters marketed for use in this service are required to be certificated pursuant to Part 2 of the Rules. 47 C.F.R § 74.851(f).
6 See Letter from Philip Spinelli, Custom Interface Technologies, to Los Angeles Office, Western Region, Enforcement Bureau (Dec. 13, 2011) (on file in EB-10-LA-0130) (NAL Response). Federal Communications Commission
The proposed forfeiture amount in this case was assessed in accordance with Section 503(b) of the Act,7 Section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules (Rules),8 and the Forfeiture Policy Statement.9 In examining CIT’s response, Section 503(b)(2)(E) of the Act requires that the Commission take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require.10 4.
We affirm the NAL’s finding that CIT violated Section 302(b) of the Act a