Challenge by ARRL, National Assn. for Amateur Radio, that questions FCC’s jurisdiction to authorize unlicensed devices that can cause “significant interference” has sparked protests from Apple Computer, Cisco, Microsoft. Those companies, along with VoiceStream Wireless and Lucent spin- off Agere Systems, contend ARRL’s position would create “bureaucratic nightmare” by uprooting regulatory regime that has given rise to cordless phones, PCs, garage door openers and broadband wireless networks. Another group of high-tech companies, including ultra-wideband developer XtremeSpectrum, also filed opposition to ARRL petition Fri. In Feb., ARRL asked FCC to reconsider its order that would allow operation of unlicensed fixed, point-to-point transmitters at 24 GHz. It said Commission didn’t have jurisdiction under Communications Act to authorize unlicensed devices “which have significant potential for interference to licensed radio services.” Christopher Imlay, counsel for ARRL, said group rarely challenged FCC decisions in court, but it was likely to take its arguments to U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., if Commission rejected its petition.

Dupont Displays and Clare announced jointly integrated driver controller for OLED applications. Model 301 is expected to be available in sample quantities by year-end featuring 128 column current-sourcing anode driver and 80 common-cathode row drivers, 4-bit gray scale. STMicroelectronics, which has licensing agreement with Cambridge Display Technologies, is expected to ship mono column driver by 3rd quarter and add full color in first quarter of 2003.

NOAA will continue to require undersea cable operators and movie production companies to apply for special use permits under National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) Act. NOAA “until further notice” will not seek to amend requirements of law’s Sec. 310, which “establishes condition of access to and use of” such protected areas. Although those activities generally are prohibited, Sec. 310 allows agency to issue special use permits when use of sanctuaries “is conducted in a way that does not injure, cause the loss of, or destroy a sanctuary resource.” NOAA regulations apply specifically to installation, removal and any necessary fiber repair activities, while special use permits are required for “continued presence” of cable on seabed or under sea floor. Since 1988 NOAA has granted permits to film TV ads in those undersea areas, and agency now “has received inquiries from motion picture companies seeking to deposit objects into a sanctuary and immediately recover them for special effects.” NOAA seeks comment on its special use authority by July 19. Through separate process agency “will consider whether to issue regulations or a policy statement on submarine cables” and “whether the issuance” of special use permits for cable maintenance “continues to be appropriate.” -- 301-713-3125 ext. 152.

Small business telecom, space and ground communications and information technology and support service providers are encouraged to participate July 25 in Science Forum at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. NASA said event “will serve as a platform for senior agency officials to become aware of the presence” of high-tech small, disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses -- 301-286-5490.

Electronic filings will become mandatory May 21 at FCC Media Bureau for change applications (FCC 301-CA), low-power TV applications (FCC 346), FM translator and booster change applications (FCC 349) and applications for translator or booster licenses (FCC 350). Users can access electronic filing system at www.fcc.gov/mb.

Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Hollings (D-S.C.) has no intention of becoming involved in renewed wireless industry attempts to negotiate settlement among NextWave spectrum re- auction winners, according to knowledgeable source. Senate Appropriations Committee ranking Republican Stevens (Alaska) met Tues. afternoon with NextWave and carriers that last year bid nearly $16 billion on spectrum that bankrupt company had returned to FCC (CD May 6 p4).

Bose is readying revamp of Acoustimass home theater speakers including its first system to offer complete Dolby 6.1 package, retail sources said. Decision to add Acoustimass 16 ($1,499) 6- speaker package was made only recently after retailers questioned plans for new Acoustimass 15 ($1,299) that was 6.1-capable, but had 5 speakers, sources said. Major change in Acoustimass 15 is in subwoofer, which is said to have increased power to 120-150 w, sources said. New speakers are expected to be available in Sept. Bose spokeswoman declined comment.

RIAA and International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) praised U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for stressing copyright protection and enforcement in its “Special 301” reviews of piracy and market access problems around world. USTR put 51 trading partners on Special 301 lists, including 15 on “Priority Watch List.” Priority Watch List countries that don’t beef up their IP protection and enforcement face possible trade sanctions.

Acclaim Entertainment offered optimistic forecast for rest of its fiscal year last week as it posted $3.8 million profit (4? per diluted share) on $70.7 million in revenue for 2nd quarter ended March 3 as next-generation console software sales continued to rise. Year ago, Acclaim had $543,000 (1?) profit and $40.4 million revenue. Meanwhile, it estimated Xbox installed base in N. America reached 1.7 million units through end of Feb., with GameCube trailing at 1.3 million.

Prices for write-once DVD-R blanks are falling quickly -- perhaps more quickly than anticipated, and with side-effect of pirate DVD burnings of movies. Pioneer Tues. announced price reduction for 4.7 GB DVD-R and rewritable DVD-RW to $5.99 and $9.99 MSRP respectively. But we've found lower prices from Taiwanese and U.S. suppliers on Web. DVD-R from Taiwan’s Ritek go for $4.15 each in lots of 100 with jewel boxes, $3.95 without box (www.ioproducts.com). Danbury, Conn.-based Recordable Media Corp. (www.cd-recordable.com) take prize though -- as low as $1.59 per DVD-R in lots of 100 with jewel box. Company offers 9.4 GB dual sided DVD-R for $3.99. It claims to be only American-owned blank media maker in U.S., and sells only direct from factory. Within past week, first signs of pirates using DVD burners to copy movies have cropped up in U.S. and U.K. MPAA and N.Y.P.D. busted pirate operation in Bronx, N.Y., on March 22, seizing 15 DVD burners and 1,208 counterfeit movies. Next day, police and Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) in U.K. raided Glasgow market and found 301 counterfeits of first-run movies burned on DVD-Rs from Taiwanese Princo brand. FACT said it found only about 30 counterfeits that were imports from rogue replicators -- first time home-burned pirated discs outnumbered professionally made ones.