PACIFIC & SOUTHERN CO., INC. and KPNX Broadcasting Co., Plaintiffs, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant; NBC TELEVISION AFFILIATES, Plaintiff, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant; NATIONAL BROADCASTING CO., Plaintiff, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant [1988]
694 F. Supp. 1565 · District Court, N.D. Georgia · United States
Issue
Whether Satellite Broadcast Networks, Inc.'s retransmission of broadcast signals constitutes copyright infringement or is permitted under the compulsory license for cable systems under 17 U.S.C. § 111.
Held
This is a source-linked holding checkpoint. The snippet does not reveal the dispositive holding. Candidates should confirm the full judgment before relying on it, noting that the district court's decision was likely reversed by the Eleventh Circuit in 1991.
Exam use
Summary
Whether Satellite Broadcast Networks, Inc.'s retransmission of broadcast signals constitutes copyright infringement or is permitted under the compulsory license for cable systems under 17 U.S.C. § 111.
Facts
Issue
Whether Satellite Broadcast Networks, Inc.'s retransmission of broadcast signals constitutes copyright infringement or is permitted under the compulsory license for cable systems under 17 U.S.C. § 111.
Held
This is a source-linked holding checkpoint. The snippet does not reveal the dispositive holding. Candidates should confirm the full judgment before relying on it, noting that the district court's decision was likely reversed by the Eleventh Circuit in 1991.
Ratio Decidendi
The source record does not provide a specific legal rule. Candidates should examine the opinion for the district court's interpretation of 'cable system' under Section 111, which was later addressed by the Eleventh Circuit.
Reasoning
Essay-Ready Explanation Generator
Version 1 of 4
Reference to PACIFIC & SOUTHERN CO., INC. and KPNX Broadcasting Co., Plaintiffs, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant; NBC TELEVISION AFFILIATES, Plaintiff, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant; NATIONAL BROADCASTING CO., Plaintiff, v. SATELLITE BROADCAST NETWORKS, INC., Defendant (694 F. Supp. 1565) strengthens a Broadcast Regulation answer because the case reflects the principle that The source record does not provide a specific legal rule. Candidates should examine the opinion for the district court's interpretation of 'cable system' under Section 111, which was later addressed by the Eleventh Circuit. Applied to a problem question, the case should be used after identifying the issue as Whether Satellite Broadcast Networks, Inc.'s retransmission of broadcast signals constitutes copyright infringement or is permitted under the compulsory license for cable systems under 17 U.S.C. § 111. The stronger essay move is to connect the material facts to the court's holding, then explain whether the present facts support the same conclusion or justify distinguishing the authority.
Underlying Concepts
- Copyright infringement
- Satellite retransmission
Significance
Related Cases
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Exam Tips
Revision Checklist
- Name the issue before discussing facts so the marker sees the legal question immediately.
- State the holding in one sentence, then use the ratio to explain why the court reached that result.
- Use the citation and jurisdiction to show why this authority matters for the problem you are answering.
- Pair this case with one supporting or contrasting authority if the question tests limits, policy, or exceptions.