Some Aspects of Radio Law

The Radio Act of 1927 provides a basis for the regulation of interstate radio communication and of transmission of electrical energy without wires. The scope of the Act has been clarified by decisions which have been rendered by the courts in cases which have arisen from time to time since its enactment. This paper describes a number of the cases which have arisen and discusses the theory that radio transmission is interstate commerce within the meaning of the Constitution. Comparison is made from a legal standpoint between radio broadcasting and advertising by billboard. The present tendency to regard the public reception of material broadcast by radio as coming within the terms of the copyright act is discussed. The power of the several states to regulate certain phases of radio under regulations pursuant to their police powers is brought out. It is also shown that the courts do not regard a license to broadcast as granting immunity to a broadcast station from liability for damages for libel published over the station. Few new legal principles seem to be involved but engineers and lawyers should coöperate so that radio law may develop in accordance with fact situations.