Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
LG Electronics Inc. and 
LG Electronics USA, Inc. 
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File No. EB-07-SE-263
Acct. No. 200832100029
FRN No. 0016896193
ORDER
Adopted:  April 9, 2008 Released: April 11, 2008
By the Chief, Enforcement Bureau: 
1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into between the 
Enforcement Bureau (“Bureau”) and LG Electronics Inc. and LG Electronics, USA (collectively, “LGE”).  
The Consent Decree terminates an investigation by the Bureau against LGE for possible violations of 
Section 330(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Act”),1 and Section 15.120(d)(2) of the 
Commission’s Rules (“Rules”),2 regarding the interstate shipment, after March 15, 2006, of digital 
television receivers that do not comply with the V-Chip technology requirements because they lack the 
ability to adapt to new rating systems.
2. The Bureau and LGE have negotiated the terms of the Consent Decree that resolve this 
matter.  A copy of the Consent Decree is attached hereto and incorporated by reference.  
3. After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts before us, we 
find that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the 
investigation.  
4. In the absence of material new evidence relating to this matter, we conclude that our 
investigation raises no substantial or material questions of fact as to whether LGE possesses the basic 
qualifications, including those related to character, to hold or obtain any Commission license or 
authorization.    
5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to section 4(i) of the Act,3 and sections 
0.111 and 0.311 of the Rules,4 the Consent Decree attached to this Order IS ADOPTED.
6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above-captioned investigation IS 
TERMINATED. 
  
1 47 U.S.C. § 303(c). 
2 47 C.F.R. § 15.120(d)(2).
3 47 U.S.C. § 154(i), 503(b).
4 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.111 and 0.311.
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7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all third-party complaints against LGE before the 
Bureau related to the above-captioned-investigation as of the date of this Consent Decree ARE 
DISMISSED.
8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that LGE shall make its voluntary contribution to the 
United States Treasury, as specified in the Consent Decree, by credit card through the Commission’s 
Revenue and Receivables Operations Group at (202) 418-1995, or by mailing a check or similar 
instrument payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, to Federal Communications 
Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.  Payment by overnight mail may be sent to 
U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 
63101.  Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and account number 27000001.  For payment by credit card, an FCC Form 159 
(Remittance Advice) must be submitted.  When completing the FCC Form 159, enter the Account number 
in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters “FORF” in block number 24A (payment 
type code).  
9. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that LGE will file reports with the Commission ninety 
days after the Effective Date, twelve months after the Effective Date, and two years after the Effective 
Date.  Each report shall include a compliance certificate from an officer, as an agent of LGE, stating that 
the officer has personal knowledge that LGE has established operating procedures intended to ensure 
compliance with this Consent Decree, together with an accompanying statement explaining the basis for 
the officer’s compliance certification.  All reports shall be submitted to the Chief, Spectrum Enforcement 
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.  
10.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order and Consent Decree shall be sent 
by first class mail and certified mail, return receipt requested, to LGE’s counsel, David Hilliard, Esq. and 
Robert L. Pettit, Esq., Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.  
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Kris Anne Monteith
Chief, Enforcement Bureau 
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
LG Electronics Inc. and 
LG Electronics USA, Inc.  
)
)
)
)
)
File No. EB-07-SE-263
Acct. No. 200832100029
FRN No. 0016896193
CONSENT DECREE
The Enforcement Bureau (“Bureau”) and LG Electronics Inc. and LG Electronics USA, Inc.  
(collectively, “LGE” or the “Company”) by their authorized representatives, hereby enter into this 
Consent Decree for the purpose of terminating the Bureau’s investigation into whether LGE violated 
Section 330(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Act”),1 and Section 15.120(d)(2) of the 
Commission’s Rules (“Rules”),2 regarding the interstate shipment, after March 15, 2006, of digital 
television receivers that do not comply with the V-Chip technology requirements because they lack the 
ability to adapt to new rating systems.  
I. DEFINITIONS
1. For the purposes of this Consent Decree, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended U.S.C. §§ 151 et seq.
(b) “Bureau” means the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission.
(c) “Commission” and “FCC” mean the Federal Communications Commission and all of 
its bureaus and offices.
(d) “Complaints” means third-party complaints that may have been received by, or are in 
the possession of, the Commission or Bureau alleging violations of the V-Chip 
technology requirements.
(e) “Compliance Plan” means the program described in this Consent Decree at paragraph 
8.
(f) “Digital Television Receivers” or “DTV Receivers” means (i) digital television 
broadcast receivers with display screens in the 4:3 aspect ratio measuring 13 inches 
or larger diagonally, (ii) digital television broadcast receivers with display screens in 
the 16:9 aspect ratio measuring 7.8 inches or larger vertically, and (iii) devices with 
digital television broadcast tuners sold without an accompanying display device, such 
as DVR recorders.
(g) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Commission releases the Adopting 
Order.
  
1 47 U.S.C. § 303(c). 
2 47 C.F.R. § 15.120(d)(2).
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
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(h) “Investigation” means the investigation commenced by the Bureau’s August 13, 2007  
Letter of Inquiry3 regarding whether LGE violated section 330(c) of the Act, and 
section 15.120(d)(2) of the Rules, by shipping interstate digital television receivers 
that do not comply with the V-Chip technology requirements because they lack the 
ability to adapt to new rating systems.
(i) “Order” or “Adopting Order” means an Order of the Bureau adopting the terms of 
this Consent Decree without change, addition, deletion, or modification.
(j) “Parties” means LGE and the Bureau.
(k) “LGE” means LG Electronics Inc. and LG Electronics USA, Inc.
(l) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations found in Title 47 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.
II. BACKGROUND
2. Section 303(x) of the Act directs the Commission to prescribe rules that require television 
receivers with picture screens 13 inches or greater shipped in interstate commerce or manufactured in the 
United States to be equipped with a feature designed to enable viewers to block the display of all 
programs with a common rating.4 Section 330(c) of the Act provides that no person shall ship in 
interstate commerce or manufacture in the United States television receivers that do not comply with rules 
prescribed by the Commission pursuant to Section 303(x).5 The Commission adopted program blocking 
capability requirements for both analog and digital television (“DTV”) receivers in 1998.6 In 2004, the 
Commission adopted specific technical standards to implement V-Chip functionality for DTV receivers 
(“V-Chip technology requirements”).7 The DTV V-Chip technology requirements provide that, effective 
March 15, 2006, digital television receivers with picture screens 13 inches or greater that are shipped in 
interstate commerce must be equipped with V-Chip technology to allow blocking of the display of 
programming based on its content and be able to respond to changes in the content advisory rating 
system.8
3. On August13, 2007, the Bureau issued a letter of inquiry (LOI) to LGE.9 The August 13, 
2007 LOI directed LGE, among other things, to submit a sworn written response to a series of questions 
relating to its compliance with the DTV V-Chip technology requirements.  LGE responded to the August
  
3 See Letter from Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, to Michael K. 
Ahn, President and CEO, LG Electronics USA, Inc. (August 13, 2007) (“August 13, 2007 LOI”).
4 47 U.S.C. § 303(x).
5 47 U.S.C. § 330(c).
6 In the Matter of Technical Requirements to Enable Blocking of Video Programming Based on Program Rating, 
Implementation of Sections 551(c), (d), and (e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Report and Order, 13 FCC 
Rcd 11248 (1998).
7 In the Matter of Second Periodic Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to 
Digital Television, Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 18279 (2004).  The V-Chip technology requirements also apply 
to devices sold without an accompanying display device.  Id. at 18348.
8 47 C.F.R. § 15.120(d)(2).
9 See August 13, 2007 LOI.
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
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13, 2007 LOI on September 28, 2007.10 In its response, LGE also voluntarily disclosed DTV V-Chip 
compliance issues with respect to certain of its DVD recorders.11 LGE submitted a follow-up response to 
the LOI on December 14, 2007.12  
III. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
4. Adopting Order.  The Parties agree that the provisions of this Consent Decree shall be 
subject to final approval by the Bureau by incorporation of such provisions by reference in the Adopting 
Order without change, addition, modification, or deletion.    
5. Jurisdiction.  LGE agrees that the Bureau has jurisdiction over it and the matters 
contained in this Consent Decree and has the authority to enter into and adopt this Consent Decree.
6. Effective Date; Violations.  The Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall become 
effective on the date on which the Bureau releases the Adopting Order.  Upon release, the Adopting Order 
and this Consent Decree shall have the same force and effect as any other final Order of the Bureau.  Any 
violation of the Adopting Order or of the terms of this Consent Decree shall constitute a separate violation 
of a Bureau Order, entitling the Bureau to exercise any rights and remedies attendant to the enforcement 
of a Commission Order.  
7. Termination of Investigation.  In express reliance on the covenants and representations 
in this Consent Decree and to avoid further expenditure of public resources, the Bureau agrees to 
terminate the Investigation and dismiss the Complaints.  In consideration for termination by the Bureau of 
the Investigation and dismissal of the Complaints in accordance with the terms of this Consent Decree, 
LGE agrees to the terms, conditions, and procedures contained herein.  The Bureau further agrees that in 
the absence of new material evidence, the Bureau will not use the facts developed in this Investigation 
through the Effective Date of the Consent Decree, or the existence of this Consent Decree, to institute, on 
its own motion, any new proceeding, formal or informal, or take any action on its own motion against 
LGE concerning the matters that were the subject of the Investigation.  The Bureau also agrees that it will 
not use the facts developed in this investigation through the Effective Date of this Consent Decree, or the 
existence of this Consent Decree, to institute on its own motion any proceeding, formal or informal, or 
take any action on its own motion against LGE with respect to LGE’s basic qualifications, including its 
character qualifications, to hold Commission authorizations.  
8. Compliance Plan.  For purposes of settling the matters set forth herein, LGE agrees to 
maintain a Compliance Plan related to future compliance with the Act, the Commission’s Rules, and the 
Commission’s Orders.  The Compliance Plan will include the following components.
(a) Engineering Compliance Officer.  LGE will hire an engineering compliance officer 
(“ECO”), who will be responsible for developing, implementing and administering the 
Compliance Plan and ensuring that the Company’s digital television reception devices are 
FCC-compliant.  The ECO will act as an internal ombudsman for any Company employees to 
raise questions or concerns that arise with respect to the Company’s compliance with FCC 
rules and regulations.
  
10 See Letter from Richard C. Wingate, Secretary and General Counsel, LG Electronics USA, Inc., to Jacqueline 
Ellington, Esq., Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau (September 28, 2007) (“LOI Response”).
11 Id. at 2. 
12 See Letter from Richard C. Wingate, Secretary and General Counsel, LG Electronics USA, Inc., to Jacqueline 
Ellington, Esq. Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau (December 14, 2007).
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(b) FCC Compliance Consultant.  LGE will retain the services of a qualified consultant (“FCC 
Consultant”) knowledgeable of the FCC’s rules and requirements applicable to digital 
television reception devices.  The FCC Consultant will be responsible for assisting the ECO 
in the development and implementation of the Compliance Plan.
(c) Compliance Manual.  LGE will create, maintain and update an FCC compliance manual – a 
copy of which will be available to all personnel involved in the design and manufacture of 
digital television reception devices as well as personnel responsible for overseeing the 
Company’s digital television products.  The compliance manual will, among other things, 
describe the Commission’s rules and requirements applicable to the design, manufacture, 
distribution, marketing and sale of digital television reception devices.  The compliance 
manual will encourage personnel to contact the ECO or the FCC Consultant with any 
questions or concerns that arise with respect to the Company’s FCC compliance.
(d) Compliance Training Program.  LGE will establish an FCC compliance training program 
for any employee who engages in activities related to the design and manufacture of digital 
television reception devices.  Training sessions will be conducted at least annually for such 
employees to ensure compliance with the Act and the FCC’s regulations and policies and, for 
new employees who are engaged in such activities, within the first ninety (90) days of 
employment. 
(e) Review and Monitoring.  LGE will review the Compliance Plan annually to ensure that it is 
maintained in a proper manner and continues to address the objectives set forth herein.
(f) Receiver Upgrades.  The Company has placed notices on its website (us.lge.com) advising 
consumers of the availability of free software upgrades to the program blocking functionality 
of certain models of the Company’s DTV Receivers.  The Company will also mail or e-mail 
notices to those consumers in the Company’s database who have provided warranty 
registrations for the upgradeable models to advise them of the availability of the software 
upgrade.  The Company will continue to offer the software upgrades via its website for five 
years from the Effective Date.  For those consumers who cannot download the software 
upgrade via the Company’s website, the Company will provide a means for such consumers 
to request and obtain a free CD containing the software upgrade.
(g) Compliance Reports. LGE will file compliance reports with the Commission ninety days 
after the Effective Date, twelve months after the Effective Date, and twenty-four months after 
the Effective Date.  Each compliance report shall include a compliance certificate from an 
officer, as an agent of LGE, stating that the officer has personal knowledge that LGE has 
established operating procedures intended to ensure compliance with this Consent Decree, 
together with an accompanying statement explaining the basis for the officer’s compliance 
certification.  All compliance reports shall be submitted to Chief, Spectrum Enforcement 
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.  
(h) Termination Date.  Unless stated otherwise, the requirements of this Consent Decree will 
expire twenty-four months after the Effective Date.
9. Voluntary Contribution.  LGE agrees that it will make a voluntary contribution to the 
United States Treasury in the amount of $1,700,000.00.  The payment will be made within 30 days after 
the Effective Date of the Adopting Order.  The payment must be made by check or similar instrument, 
payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission.  The payment must include the 
Account Number and FRN Number referenced in the caption to the Adopting Order.  Payment by check 
or money order may be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, 
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
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MO 63197-9000.  Payment by overnight mail may be sent to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox 
#979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.  Payment by wire transfer may 
be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank TREAS/NYC, and account number 27000001.  For 
payment by credit card, an FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be submitted.  When completing the 
FCC Form 159, enter the Account number in block number 23A (call sign/other ID), and enter the letters 
“FORF” in block number 24A (payment type code).  
10. Waivers.  LGE waives any and all rights it may have to seek administrative or judicial 
reconsideration, review, appeal or stay, or to otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Consent 
Decree and the Order adopting this Consent Decree, provided the Bureau issues an Order adopting the 
Consent Decree without change, addition, modification, or deletion.  LGE shall retain the right to 
challenge Commission interpretation of the Consent Decree or any terms contained herein.  If either Party 
(or the United States on behalf of the Commission) brings a judicial action to enforce the terms of the 
Adopting Order, neither LGE nor the Commission shall contest the validity of the Consent Decree or the 
Adopting Order, and LGE shall waive any statutory right to a trial de novo.  LGE hereby agrees to waive 
any claims it may otherwise have under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. § 504 and 47 C.F.R. § 
1.1501 et seq., relating to the matters addressed in this Consent Decree. 
11. Severability.  The Parties agree that if any of the provisions of the Adopting Order or the 
Consent Decree shall be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate 
or render unenforceable the entire Adopting Order or Consent Decree, but rather the entire Adopting 
Order or Consent Decree shall be construed as if not containing the particular invalid or unenforceable 
provision or provisions, and the rights and obligations of the Parties shall be construed and enforced 
accordingly.  In the event that this Consent Decree in its entirety is rendered invalid by any court of 
competent jurisdiction, it shall become null and void and may not be used in any manner in any legal 
proceeding.  
12. Subsequent Rule or Order.  The Parties agree that if any provision of this Consent 
Decree conflicts with any subsequent rule or Order adopted by the Commission (except an Order 
specifically intended to revise the terms of this Consent Decree to which LGE does not expressly consent) 
that provision will be superseded by such Commission rule or Order.  
13. Final Settlement.  The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall 
constitute a final settlement between the Parties.  The Parties further agree that this Consent Decree does 
not constitute either an adjudication on the merits or a factual or legal finding or determination regarding 
any compliance or noncompliance with the requirements of the Act or the Commission’s Rules and 
Orders.  
14. Modifications.  This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written 
consent of both Parties. 
15. Paragraph Headings.  The headings of the Paragraphs in this Consent Decree are 
inserted for convenience only and are not intended to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Consent 
Decree.
16. Authorized Representative.  Each party represents and warrants to the other that it has 
full power and authority to enter into this Consent Decree.
Federal Communications Commission DA 08-844
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17. Counterparts.  This Consent Decree may be signed in any number of counterparts 
(including by facsimile), each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be an original, and all of 
which counterparts together shall constitute one and the same fully executed instrument.   
_______________________________
Kris Anne Monteith
Chief
Enforcement Bureau 
________________________________
Date
LG Electronics Inc.
________________________________
By:  Michael Ahn
President & CEO
LG Electronics North America
________________________________
Date
LG Electronics USA, Inc.
________________________________
By: Teddy Hwang
President 
________________________________
Date