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June 21, 2007
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Rent-A-Center
4821 Spring Mountain Rd., Suite G
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
5501 Headquarters Drive
Plano, TX 75024
Attn.: Christopher A. Korst
Senior Vice President - General Counsel and
Secretary
Re: File No. EB-07-LA-207
Citation No.: C20073290033
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
Rent-A-Center and Rent-A-Center, Inc. (collectively "Rent-A-Center") 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 13, 2007, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Los Angeles Office
visited Rent-A-Center and observed that Rent-A-Center 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 S:2.909 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: www.dtv.gov."
Accordingly, it appears that Rent-A-Center 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
Toshiba TV MW30G71 1
JVC TV AV32476 1
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, Rent-A-Center 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
Rent-A-Center 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, 18000 Studebaker Rd., Suite 660,
Cerritos, California 90703. 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, Rent-A-Center 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 violation[s] outlined above. Please reference
file number EB-07-LA-207 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
Catherine Deaton
District Director
Los Angeles District Office, Western 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