Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
Rane Corporation
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File No.:  EB-SED-12-000051921
Acct. No.:  201432100001    
FRN:  0022833305
ORDER
Adopted:  December 23, 2013 Released:  December 23, 2013
By the Deputy Chief, Enforcement Bureau:
1. In this Order, we adopt the attached Consent Decree entered into between the 
Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) and Rane 
Corporation (Rane).  The Consent Decree resolves and terminates the Bureau’s investigation into Rane’s 
compliance with Section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act),2 and Sections 
2.803, 15.19, and 15.105 of the Commission’s rules (Rules)3 pertaining to the marketing of digital radio 
frequency devices, such as amplifiers, preamplifiers, and mixers.
2. The Bureau and Rane have negotiated the Consent Decree that resolves this matter.  A 
copy of this Consent Decree is attached hereto and incorporated herein 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 Rane 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 Sections 4(i), 4(j), and 503(b) of the 
Act,4 and Sections 0.111 and 0.311 of the Rules,5 the Consent Decree attached to this Order IS 
ADOPTED.
  
1 This investigation was initiated under File No. EB-10-SE-043 and was subsequently assigned File No. EB-SED-
12-00005192.  Any future correspondence with the FCC concerning this case will reference the new case number, 
File No. EB-SED-12-00005192.  
2 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).
3 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.803, 15.19, 15.105.
4 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 503(b).
5 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.111, 0.311.
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6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the above-captioned investigation IS 
TERMINATED.
7. 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 Linda Arink, Vice President, 
Finance and Administration, Rane Corporation, 10802 47th Avenue, West, Mukilteo, WA 98275, and to 
Jacob Farber, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP, Counsel for Rane Corporation, 700 Thirteenth Street, N.W., Suite 
600, Washington, DC 20005-3960.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Robert H. Ratcliffe
Deputy Chief
Enforcement Bureau
Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554
In the Matter of
Rane Corporation
)
)
)
)
)
)
File No.:  EB-SED-12-000051921
Acct. No.:  201432100001    
FRN:  0022833305
CONSENT DECREE
The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission and Rane Corporation, by 
their authorized representatives, hereby enter into this Consent Decree for the purpose of terminating the 
Enforcement Bureau’s investigation into possible violations of Section 302(b) of the Communications 
Act of 1934, as amended,2 and Sections 2.803, 15.19, and 15.105 of the Commission’s rules3 pertaining to 
the marketing of digital radio frequency devices, such as amplifiers, preamplifiers, and mixers. 
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, 47 U.S.C. § 151 et seq.
(b) “Adopting Order” means an order of the Bureau adopting the terms of this Consent 
Decree without change, addition, deletion, or modification.
(c) “Bureau” means the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission.
(d) “Commission” and “FCC” mean the Federal Communications Commission and all 
of its bureaus and offices.  
(e) “Communications Laws” means collectively, the Act, the Rules, and the published 
and promulgated orders and decisions of the Commission to which Rane is subject 
by virtue of its business activities, including but not limited to, the Equipment 
Marketing Rules.
(f) “Compliance Plan” means the compliance obligations, program, and procedures 
described in this Consent Decree at paragraph 10.
(g) “Covered Employees” means all employees and agents of Rane who perform, or 
supervise, oversee, or manage the performance of, duties that relate to Rane’s 
responsibilities under the Equipment Marketing Rules.
  
1 This investigation was initiated under File No. EB-10-SE-043 and was subsequently assigned File No. EB-SED-
12-00005192.  Any future correspondence with the FCC concerning this case will reference the new case number, 
File No. EB-SED-12-00005192.  
2 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).
3 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.803, 15.19, 15.105.
Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
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(h) “Digital Device” means an unintentional radiator (device or system) as defined in 
Section 15.3(k) of the Rules.4  
(i) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Bureau releases the Adopting Order.
(j) “Equipment Marketing Rules” means Section 302(b) of the Act,5 Sections 2.803, 
15.19, and 15.105 of the Rules6 and other Communications Laws governing the 
marketing of radio frequency devices within the United States and its territories.
(k) “Investigation” means the investigation commenced by the Bureau’s July 10, 2012, 
letter of inquiry7 regarding whether the marketing of certain Digital Devices by Rane 
complies with the Equipment Marketing Rules.
(l) “Rane” means Rane Corporation and its predecessors-in-interest and successors-in-
interest.
(m) “Operating Procedures” means the standard, internal operating procedures and 
compliance policies established by Rane to implement the Compliance Plan.
(n) “Parties” means Rane and the Bureau, each of which is a “Party.”
(o) “Rules” means the Commission’s regulations found in Title 47 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations.
II. BACKGROUND
2. Pursuant to Section 302(b) of the Act8 and Sections 2.803, 15.19, and 15.105 of the 
Rules,9 certain Digital Devices may not be marketed in the United States unless the devices comply with 
the applicable technical standards as well as the administrative requirements relating to equipment 
labeling and consumer disclosure.  Section 2.803(a) of the Rules defines “marketing” as the “sale or lease, 
or offering for sale or lease, including advertising for sale or lease, or importation, shipment, or 
distribution for the purpose of selling or leasing or offering for sale or lease.”10  
3. Rane manufactures and markets Digital Devices, including professional audio and live 
sound products, such as amplifiers, compressors, equalizers, and mixers.  These Digital Devices are 
unintentional radiators subject to authorization prior to marketing, via either the Commission’s equipment 
verification or declaration of conformity procedures.11
  
4 Id. § 15.3(k). 
5 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).
6 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.803, 15.19, 15.105.
7 See Letter from John D. Poutasse, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, FCC Enforcement Bureau, to George 
Sheppard, Chief Executive Officer, Rane Corporation (July 10, 2012) (on file in EB-SED-12-00005192).
8 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b). 
9 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.803, 15.19, 15.105.
10 Id. § 2.803(a).  
11 See id. § 15.101. 
Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
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4. On July 10, 2012, the Bureau’s Spectrum Enforcement Division (Division) issued a letter 
of inquiry (LOI) to Rane, directing Rane to submit a sworn written response to a series of questions 
relating to its manufacture and marketing of certain Digital Devices.12 Rane responded to the LOI on 
August 20, 2012.13 In its LOI Response, Rane submitted information and documentation relating to the 
Digital Devices at issue.14 Rane also provided information concerning whether its Digital Devices were 
properly labeled in accordance with Section 15.19 of the Rules,15 and whether the consumer disclosure 
language required by Section 15.105 of the Rules16 was included in the user manual for each Digital 
Device.  In the course of responding to the LOI, Rane discovered that some of the Digital Devices had not 
been labeled and that certain Digital Device user manuals were missing the consumer disclosure 
statements.17  The Bureau and Rane entered into a tolling agreement to toll the statute of limitations.18  
III. TERMS OF AGREEMENT
5. 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.
6. Jurisdiction.  Rane agrees that the Bureau has jurisdiction over it and the matters 
contained in this Consent Decree and that the Bureau has the authority to enter into and adopt this 
Consent Decree.
7. Effective Date; Violations.  The Parties agree that this Consent Decree shall become 
effective on the Effective Date as defined herein.  As of the Effective Date, the Adopting Order and this 
Consent Decree shall have the same force and effect as any other order of the Commission. Any violation 
of the Adopting Order or of the terms of this Consent Decree shall constitute a separate violation of a 
Commission order, entitling the Commission to exercise any rights and remedies attendant to the 
enforcement of a Commission order.
8. 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.  In consideration for the termination of the Investigation, Rane 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, 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 Rane concerning the matters that were the 
subject of the Investigation.  The Bureau also agrees that in the absence of new material evidence it will 
not use the facts developed in this Investigation through the Effective Date, or the existence of this 
  
12 See supra note 7.
13 See Letter from Linda Arink, Vice President, Finance and Administration, Rane Corporation, to Marlene H. 
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (Aug. 20, 2012) (on file in on file in EB-SED-12-
00005192) (LOI Response).  
14 See LOI Response at 4-8.
15 See 47 C.F.R. § 15.19.
16 See id. § 15.105.
17 See LOI Response at 3 & Attachment 1.
18 See Tolling Agreement, executed by and between John D. Poutasse, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, FCC 
Enforcement Bureau, and Jacob S. Farber, Esq., Perkins Coie LLP, Counsel for Rane Corporation (Dec. 11, 2012) 
(on file in EB-SED-12-00005192).
Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
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Consent Decree, to institute on its own motion any proceeding, formal or informal, or take any action on 
its own motion against Rane with respect to Rane’s basic qualifications, including its character 
qualifications, to be a Commission licensee or to hold Commission licenses or authorizations.  
9. Compliance Officer.  Within ten (10) calendar days after the Effective Date, Rane shall 
designate a senior corporate manager with the requisite corporate and organizational authority to serve as 
Compliance Officer and to discharge the duties set forth below.  The person designated as the Compliance 
Officer shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the Compliance Plan and 
ensuring that Rane complies with the terms and conditions of the Compliance Plan and this Consent 
Decree.  In addition to general knowledge of the Communications Laws necessary to discharge his/her 
duties under this Consent Decree, the Compliance Officer shall have specific knowledge of the 
Equipment Marketing Rules prior to assuming his/her duties.
10. Compliance Plan.  For purposes of settling the matters set forth herein, Rane agrees that 
it shall within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date, develop and implement a Compliance 
Plan designed to ensure future compliance with the Communications Laws and with the terms and 
conditions of this Consent Decree.  With respect to the Equipment Marketing Rules, Rane shall 
implement the following procedures:
(a) Operating Procedures on Equipment Marketing.  Within thirty (30) calendar 
days after the Effective Date, Rane shall establish Operating Procedures that all 
Covered Employees must follow to help ensure Rane’s compliance with the 
Equipment Marketing Rules.  Rane’s Operating Procedures shall include internal 
procedures and policies specifically designed to ensure that prior to the initiation 
of marketing (as such term is defined in Section 2.803 of the Rules19), all Digital 
Devices and other radio frequency devices to be marketed by Rane comply with 
applicable technical standards, have been properly authorized (via the 
certification, verification, or declaration of conformity procedures, as applicable), 
and comply with the applicable administrative requirements relating to 
equipment labeling and consumer disclosure.20
(b) Compliance Manual.  Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective Date, 
the Compliance Officer shall develop and distribute a Compliance Manual to all 
Covered Employees.  The Compliance Manual shall explain the Equipment 
Marketing Rules, including the obligations to secure an equipment authorization 
from the FCC prior to marketing a Digital Device and to comply with the 
applicable administrative requirements relating to equipment labeling and 
consumer disclosure, and set forth the Operating Procedures that Covered 
Employees shall follow to help ensure Rane’s compliance with the Equipment 
Marketing Rules.  Rane shall periodically review and revise the Compliance 
Manual as necessary to ensure that the information set forth therein remains 
current and complete.  Rane shall distribute any revisions to the Compliance 
Manual promptly to all Covered Employees.  
(c) Compliance Training Program.  Rane shall establish and implement a 
Compliance Training Program on compliance with the Equipment Marketing 
Rules and the Operating Procedures.  As part of the Compliance Training 
Program, Covered Employees shall be advised of Rane’s obligation to report any 
  
19 See supra note 10 and accompanying text.
20 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.1203, 2.1204, 2.1205.
Federal Communications Commission DA 13-2047
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noncompliance with the Equipment Marketing Rules under paragraph 11 of this 
Consent Decree and shall be instructed on how to disclose noncompliance to the 
Compliance Officer.  All Covered Employees shall be trained pursuant to the 
Compliance Training Program within thirty (30) calendar days after the Effective 
Date, except that any person who becomes a Covered Employee at any time after 
the Effective Date shall be trained within thirty (30) calendar days after the date 
such person becomes a Covered Employee.  Rane shall repeat the compliance 
training on an annual basis, and shall periodically review and revise the 
Compliance Training Program as necessary to ensure that it remains current and 
complete and to enhance its effectiveness.
(d) Remedial Efforts for Discontinued Models.  Rane shall continue to ensure that 
all unlabeled Digital Devices returned to Rane or its service centers for service or 
repair shall be affixed with a label that complies with Section 15.19 of the 
Rules21 prior to being returned to the customer.  In addition, Rane shall continue 
to maintain on its website an online user manual for all Digital Devices it markets 
that includes the consumer disclosure language required by Section 15.105 of the 
Rules.22
11. Reporting Noncompliance.  Rane shall report any noncompliance with the Equipment 
Marketing Rules and with the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree within fifteen (15) calendar 
days after discovery of such noncompliance.  Such reports shall include a detailed explanation of (i) each 
instance of noncompliance; (ii) the steps that Rane has taken or will take to remedy such noncompliance; 
(iii) the schedule on which such remedial actions will be taken; and (iv) the steps that Rane has taken or 
will take to prevent the recurrence of any such noncompliance.  All reports of noncompliance shall be 
submitted on paper to the Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission, Room 3-C366, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554, with a 
copy submitted electronically to Kathy Harvey at Kathy.Harvey@fcc.gov and to JoAnn Lucanik at 
JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov.  
12. Compliance Reports.  Rane shall file Compliance Reports with the Commission ninety 
(90) calendar days after the Effective Date, twelve (12) months after the Effective Date, twenty-four (24) 
months after the Effective Date, thirty-six (36) months after the Effective Date, and forty-eight (48) 
months after the Effective Date.
(a) Each Compliance Report shall include a detailed description of Rane’s efforts during 
the relevant period to comply with the terms and conditions of this Consent Decree 
and the Equipment Marketing Rules.  In addition, each Compliance Report shall 
include a certification by the Compliance Officer, as an agent of and on behalf of 
Rane, stating that the Compliance Officer has personal knowledge that Rane (i) has 
established and implemented the Compliance Plan; (ii) has utilized the Operating 
Procedures since the implementation of the Compliance Plan; and (iii) is not aware of 
any instances of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of this Consent 
Decree, including the reporting obligations set forth in paragraph 11 hereof.
(b) The Compliance Officer’s certification shall be accompanied by a statement 
explaining the basis for such certification and must comply with Section 1.16 of the 
  
21 See id. § 15.19.
22 See id. § 15.105.
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Rules and be subscribed to as true under penalty of perjury in substantially the form 
set forth therein.23
(c) If the Compliance Officer cannot provide the requisite certification, the Compliance 
Officer, as an agent of and on behalf of Rane, shall provide the Commission with a 
detailed explanation of the reason(s) why and describe fully (i) each instance of 
noncompliance; (ii) the steps that Rane has taken or will take to remedy such 
noncompliance, including the schedule on which proposed remedial actions will be 
taken; and (iii) the steps that Rane has taken or will take to prevent the recurrence of 
any such noncompliance, including the schedule on which such preventive action 
will be taken.
(d) All Compliance Reports shall be submitted on paper to the Chief, Spectrum 
Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 
Room 3-C366, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554, with a copy submitted 
electronically to Kathy Harvey at Kathy.Harvey@fcc.gov and to JoAnn Lucanik at 
JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov.
13. Termination Date. Unless stated otherwise, the requirements set forth in paragraphs 9 
through 12 of this Consent Decree shall expire forty-eight (48) months after the Effective Date.
14. Voluntary Contribution.  Rane agrees that it will make a voluntary contribution to the 
United States Treasury in the amount of sixty one thousand five hundred dollars ($61,500) within ten (10) 
calendar days after the Effective Date.  Rane shall also send electronic notification of payment to Kathy 
Harvey at Kathy.Harvey@fcc.gov, JoAnn Lucanik at JoAnn.Lucanik@fcc.gov, and Samantha Peoples at 
Sam.Peoples@fcc.gov on the date said payment is made.  The payment must be made by check or similar 
instrument, wire transfer, or credit card, and must include the NAL/Account Number and FRN referenced 
above.  Regardless of the form of payment, a completed FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice) must be 
submitted.24 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).  Below are 
additional instructions that Rane should follow based on the form of payment it selects:
? Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the order of the Federal 
Communications Commission. Such payments (along with the completed Form 159) must be 
mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-
9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank – Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-
GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
? Payment by wire transfer must be made to ABA Number 021030004, receiving bank 
TREAS/NYC, and Account Number 27000001. To complete the wire transfer and ensure 
appropriate crediting of the wired funds, a completed Form 159 must be faxed to U.S. Bank 
at (314) 418-4232 on the same business day the wire transfer is initiated.
? Payment by credit card must be made by providing the required credit card information on 
FCC Form 159 and signing and dating the Form 159 to authorize the credit card payment.   
The completed Form 159 must then be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P.O. 
Box 979088, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000, or sent via overnight mail to U.S. Bank –
  
23 See id. § 1.16.
24 An FCC Form 159 and detailed instructions for completing the form may be obtained at 
http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form159/159.pdf.
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Government Lockbox #979088, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 
63101.
If Rane has questions regarding payment procedures, it should contact the Financial Operations Group 
Help Desk by phone, 1-877-480-3201, or by e-mail, ARINQUIRIES@fcc.gov.
15. Waivers.  Rane 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 Adopting Order, provided the Bureau issues an Adopting Order as defined herein.  Rane
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 Rane nor the Commission shall contest the 
validity of the Consent Decree or the Adopting Order, and Rane shall waive any statutory right to a trial 
de novo.  Rane hereby agrees to waive any claims it may have under the Equal Access to Justice Act25
relating to the matters addressed in this Consent Decree.
16. Invalidity.  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.
17. Subsequent Rule or Order.  The Parties agree that if any provision of the 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 Rane does not expressly 
consent) that provision will be superseded by such Rule or Commission order.
18. Successors and Assigns.  Rane agrees that the provisions of this Consent Decree shall be 
binding on its successors, assigns, and transferees.  
19. Final Settlement.  The Parties agree and acknowledge that this Consent Decree shall 
constitute a final settlement between the Parties with respect to the Investigation.  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 Communications Laws.
20. Modifications.  This Consent Decree cannot be modified without the advance written 
consent of both Parties.
21. 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.
22. Authorized Representative.  The individual signing this Consent Decree on behalf of 
Rane represents and warrants that she is authorized by Rane to execute this Consent Decree and to bind 
Rane to the obligations set forth herein.  The FCC signatory represents that he is signing this Consent 
Decree in his official capacity and that he is authorized to execute this Consent Decree.
  
25 Equal Access to Justice Act, Pub L. No. 96-481, 94 Stat. 2325 (1980) (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 504); see also 47 
C.F.R. §§ 1.1501-1.1530.
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23. 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.
_____________________________
Robert H. Ratcliffe
Deputy Chief
Enforcement Bureau
_____________________________
Date
_____________________________
Linda Arink
Vice President, Finance and Administration
Rane Corporation
_____________________________
Date