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December 20, 2007
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Kiss Electronics
230 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
Re: File No. EB-07-NY-467
Citation No.: C20083238017
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
Kiss Electronics 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 December 4, 2007, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's New York Field
Office visited Kiss Electronics at 230 West 125th Street, New York NY
10027 and observed that Kiss Electronics 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 Kiss Electronics 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
Magnavox 13" TV MWC13D6 1
Magnavox 20" TV MWC20T6 1
Sylvania 20" TV 6420FF 1
Symphonic 20" TV CST204FE 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, Kiss Electronics 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 Kiss
Electronics 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, New York Office, 201 Varick Street,
Suite 1151, New York, NY 10014. 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, Kiss
Electronics 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 outlined above.
Please reference file number EB-07-NY-467 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
Daniel W. Noel
District Director
New York District Office
Northeast Region
Enforcement Bureau
Analog tuner only television receiving equipment includes televisions,
television receivers, and other television receiving equipment, such as
video-cassette recorders and digital video recorders, that are covered by
the Commission's digital television reception capability implementation
schedule. See 47 C.F.R. S: 15.117(i)(1)(iv).
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