MCNBRIEFS

FTC: Google Search Ranking Not Illegal

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission last week ended its 19-month investigation into Google, concluding that the Internet giant’s search rankings, on balance, were intended to improve the consumer experience rather than bias queries anti-competitively in favor of Google content.

The FTC voted 5-0 to close the investigation, saying Google’s conduct did not violate U.S. law. Google volunteered to make some changes to its search experience, though, including not scrapping competitors’ data or disfavoring clients who advertise on other platforms. Those Google commitments are legally enforceable and binding, FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz said.

In a separate settlement order (by a 4-1 vote), the FTC also required Google to make the standard essential patents it bought from Motorola Mobility available on fair terms to competitors, including by trying to resolve disputes “through a neutral third party before seeking injunctions.”

Markey to Run for Kerry Senate Seat

WASHINGTON — One of the loudest voices for network-neutrality rules could be getting a bigger platform.

Rep. Ed Markey (DMass.) has decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Kerry, who was nominated for Secretary of State.

While Markey’s recent focus — and longtime passion — has been energy policy, he has also been a prominent figure in communications policy, including the rewrite of the 1996 Communications Act, children’s TV regulation and communications disability access regulation.

Senate Confirms Clyburn to Full FCC Term

WASHINGTON — The Senate last week approved the renomination of Federal Communications Commission member Mignon Clyburn, this time for a full five year term retroactive to July 1, 2012, when her current term expired.

She had been serving out the term of commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who exited in 2009 to join the Department of Agriculture.

Clyburn will be in the conversation for acting FCC chair if current chairman Julius Genachowski decides to exit this year, as many Washington insiders have speculated. Genachowski has declined comment.

Republican Federal Trade Commissioner Joshua Wright was also confirmed to a seven-year term.

ATVA: 98% Rise In Retrans Blackouts

WASHINGTON — The American Television Alliance, comprising some major cable, telco and satellite players, last week said 91 broadcasters cut off their signals during retransmission-consent disputes in 2012 — a 78% increase from 2011.

That came in a New Year’s call for Congress to step in.

“The facts speak for themselves, and policymakers should listen,” ATVA said in a statement. “Broadcaster blackouts at the expense of consumers are here to stay unless policymakers take action.”

National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton countered: “Pay TV providers built their businesses on the backs of broadcast programming. It’s not unreasonable for local TV stations to ask to be fairly compensated for providing the most-watched programming on television.”

Wharton did not address the statistical jump.