Communications

Competition, convergence and change are principles that govern the environment in which the communications industry operates today. Perkins Coie's Communications industry group serves the dynamic businesses that comprise the world's communications market leaders. The experience of our attorneys spans the breadth of issues faced by communications companies. We advise clients on regulatory and policy-oriented matters, intellectual property development and licensing, technology acquisition, antitrust, litigation, early-stage financing, mergers and acquisitions, as well as a range of other agreements and transactions.

We work with clients to understand their specific needs and then assist in developing creative solutions to help achieve their business goals. We have long been at the forefront of the communications industry and have a strong base from which to draw the knowledge and experience needed to offer industry-specific advice and the flexibility to adapt to emerging technologies or applications. 

Our strengths include: core telecom, media and information, intellectual property, privacy and security and corporate finance.

Our lawyers have served in senior positions with the government agencies that regulate the industry, as well as with communications companies. Clients turn to us for guidance on issues such as intercarrier compensation, state and federal regulation, privacy and the protection of customer information, municipal franchising, and the use of cutting-edge technologies to meet the needs of law enforcement and emergency service providers. We advise clients on building content, intellectual property and other rights related to their assets in online, digital and interactive media, as well as in the development, structure and distribution of new products and services such as wireless and digital communications, VoIP, location-based services, interactive media, video and search technology.

Our attorneys have appeared before regulatory agencies and litigated in state and federal courts at all levels. We have facilitated transactions beyond U.S. borders, including ventures negotiated for provision of services in foreign countries as well as aboard aircraft and on the seas. We regularly advise clients on public policy and future trends, often facilitating connections among clients with similar interests.

Core Telecom

Our country's core telecommunications networks are the foundation of our 21st century communications economy. Just as networks have evolved from the narrowband, analog, voice, circuit-switched copper wires of yesterday to the high-speed, digital, fiber optic and third-generation wireless networks of today, our knowledge and depth of experience has expanded to represent 21st century network providers.

We represent leading providers on issues related to the deployment, interconnection, regulation and securing of the networks of tomorrow.

Media and Information

We advise companies that provide news and information to audiences through various types of media, including newspapers, television, cable, Internet, telecommunications and wireless networks. These companies include both traditional and non-traditional content providers operating in multiple platforms in a converging technology environment.

Our Media & Information group includes lawyers experienced in advising clients on content development and licensing, intellectual property (particularly copyright and trademark matters), new technologies, First Amendment protections, and the increasingly active roles played by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice in privacy, database ownership, use and security, communications with consumers, and advertising and marketing issues.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a powerful tool that can create or maintain a competitive advantage in the communications industry. Our Intellectual Property practice focuses on helping communications clients increase the return on investment in their technology in an aggressive and efficient manner.

We have experience in all aspects of intellectual property counseling, litigation and technology-related transactions. We counsel clients on developing intellectual property strategies and programs, identifying and perfecting intellectual property rights, developing and licensing technology, and asserting or defending these rights in court. We help clients develop patent portfolios in order to make their companies more attractive to prospective buyers. We also analyze the portfolios of companies that our clients are considering investing in or acquiring.

With more than 1,000 trademark clients, including many well-known companies in the communications industry, we have managed more than 20,000 trademark filings worldwide.

Privacy & Security

Every company, especially those in the communications industry, that handles sensitive information, including any customer or employee data, needs to be concerned about safeguarding its privacy and security. The rules in this area of law are complex, vary by jurisdiction and change rapidly.

Our team of Privacy & Security lawyers includes litigators, transactional attorneys, and public policy and regulatory lawyers. Our practice is hands on, solution oriented, and provides clients with practical legal advice and effective tools to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws. We stay abreast of the changing landscape of privacy and security technology so we understand, for example, how to respond to a distributed denial of service attack, the privacy and security implications of peer-to-peer file sharing, or the use of WiFi networking. We also advise companies on the creation and implementation of security policies and assist them when data is lost or compromised.

We are knowledgeable of all of the relevant statutes regarding Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI), Wireless Location Information, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLB), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Corporate Finance

In order to prosper, companies must be able to raise money when necessary in a timely and efficient manner, even when financial resources are tight. Meanwhile, a barrage of new laws and regulations requires executives to reassess both enterprise and personal risks associated with many of their decisions and activities. In this environment, communications businesses value law firms that offer broad investor and regulator contacts, extensive corporate and commercial finance, tax, executive compensation and M&A experience and a thorough understanding of the law.

Our Corporate Finance group is a recognized leader in private equity, venture capital transactions, IPOs and follow-on public offerings. We represent the market leaders in the communications industry as well as emerging companies. We have experience in all types and sizes of M&A transactions, as well as private equity transactions. We represent private and public companies on both the buy and sell sides, including private equity funds, venture funds and entrepreneurs rolling up fragmented industries.