Click here for Adobe Acrobat version
Click here for Microsoft Word version
********************************************************
NOTICE
********************************************************
This document was converted from Microsoft Word.
Content from the original version of the document such as
headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers
will not show up in this text version.
All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the
original document will not show up in this text version.
Features of the original document layout such as
columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins
will not be preserved in the text version.
If you need the complete document, download the
Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat version.
*****************************************************************
June 11, 2007
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Boscov's Store # 31
230 Montgomery Mall
North Wales, Pennsylvania 19454
Boscov's Department Store
4500 Perkiomen Avenue
Reading, Pennsylvania 19606
Attn: Kenneth S. Larkin, Chairman and CEO
Re: File No. EB-07-PA-159
Citation No.: C20073240018
Dear Retailer:
This is an official CITATION, issued pursuant to Section 503(b)(5) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended ("Act"), 47 U.S.C. S 503(b)(5), to
Boscov's Store # 31 and Boscov's Department Store (collectively
"Boscov's") for failure to provide appropriate Consumer Alert disclosures
on analog tuner only television receiving equipment in violation of
Section 15.117(k) of the Commission's Rules ("Rules"), 47 C.F.R. S
15.117(k). As explained below, future violations of the Commission's rules
in this regard may subject your company to monetary forfeitures.
On June 5, 2007, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Philadelphia Office
visited Boscov's Store # 31 and observed that Boscov's did not have the
proper Consumer Alert label displayed on equipment that contained an
analog tuner but not a digital tuner at the point of sale.
Section 15.117(k) of the Commission's Rules states:
(k) The following requirements apply to all responsible parties, as
defined in S2.909 of this chapter, and any person that displays or
offers for sale or rent television receiving equipment that is not
capable of receiving, decoding and tuning digital signals.
(1) Such parties and persons shall place conspicuously and in close
proximity to such television broadcast receivers a sign containing, in
clear and conspicuous print, the Consumer Alert disclosure text
required by subparagraph (3). The text should be in a size of type
large enough to be clear, conspicuous and readily legible, consistent
with the dimensions of the equipment and the label. The information
may be printed on a transparent material and affixed to the screen, if
the receiver includes a display, in a manner that is removable by the
consumer and does not obscure the picture, or, if the receiver does
not include a display, in a prominent location on the device, such as
on the top or front of the device, when displayed for sale, or the
information in this format may be displayed separately immediately
adjacent to each television broadcast receiver offered for sale and
clearly associated with the analog-only model to which it pertains.
(2) If such parties and persons display or offer for sale or rent such
television broadcast receivers via direct mail, catalog, or electronic
means, they shall prominently display in close proximity to the images
or descriptions of such television broadcast receivers, in clear and
conspicuous print, the Consumer Alert disclosure text required by
subparagraph (3). The text should be in a size large enough to be
clear, conspicuous, and readily legible, consistent with the
dimensions of the advertisement or description.
(3) "CONSUMER ALERT
This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will
require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive
over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation's
transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to
work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles,
VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call
the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY:
1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission's digital television website
at: [1]www.dtv.gov."
Accordingly, it appears that Boscov's has violated Section 15.117(k) of
the Rules by failing to place conspicuously and in close proximity to the
following equipment, in clear and conspicuous print, the required Consumer
Alert label:
Manufacturer Device Model # Number of Units
Panasonic DVD DMRES15S 1
Panasonic DVD/VCR DMRES35V 1
Samsung DVD DVDR130 9
Samsung DVD/VCR DVDV5650 1
Samsung DVD/VCR DVDVR330 3
Sony DVD/VCR RDRVX530 1
Sony DVD/VCR SLVD370P 1
Sony VCR SLVN750 2
Toshiba DVD/VCR DR5 3
Toshiba DVD/VCR DVR5 4
We caution you that failure to display an appropriate Consumer Alert label
on any television receiving equipment that is not capable of receiving,
decoding, and tuning digital signals would constitute a further violation
of Section 15.117(k) of the Rules.
If, after receipt of this citation, Boscov's engages in conduct of the
type described herein, in violation of the Communications Act or the
Commission's rules, the Commission may impose monetary forfeitures not to
exceed $11,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing
violation up to $97,500 for a single continuing violation.
If you choose to do so, you may respond to this citation within 10 days
from the date of this letter either through (1) a personal interview at
the Commission's Field Office nearest to your place of business, or (2) a
written statement. Your response should specify the actions that Boscov's
is taking to ensure that it does not violate Section 15.117(k) of the
Commission's rules in the future.
If you choose to request a personal interview, the closest FCC Office is
Federal Communications Commission, Philadelphia Office, One Oxford Valley
Building, Suite 404, 2300 East Lincoln Highway, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
19047. You should contact this office by telephone, (XXX) XXXX-XXXX to
schedule this interview, which must take place within 10 days of this
Citation. Alternatively, as noted above, Boscov's may submit a written
statement to the above address within 10 days of the date of this
Citation. Any written statements should specify what actions have been
taken to correct the violations outlined above. Please reference file
number EB-07-PA-159 when corresponding with the Commission.
Under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. S 552a(e)(3), we are informing you
that the Commission's staff will use all relevant material information
before it, including information that you disclose in your interview or
written statement, to determine what, if any, enforcement action is
required to ensure your compliance with the Communications Act and the
Commission's rules.
The knowing and willful making of any false statement, or the concealment
of any material fact, in reply to this citation is punishable by fine or
imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. S 1001.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Gene J. Stanbro
District Director
Philadelphia Office
Northeast Region
Enforcement Bureau
See 47 C.F.R. S 1.80(b)(3).
47 U.S.C. S 503(b)(5).
2
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dtv.gov/