Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC FINES NEW YORK ELECTRONICS MARKETER FOR SELLING NONCOMPLIANT WIRELESS DEVICES 
Ignored Warnings, Incomplete Responses to Investigators, and Selling Devices Operating in Unauthorized Spectrum Bands Results in a Nearly $700K Fine
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WASHINGTON, August 1, 2022—The Federal Communications Commission today fined Sound Around, a Brooklyn-based seller of audio and video electronics and accessories, $685,338 for marketing thirty-two noncompliant radio frequency device models, specifically wireless microphones.  The FCC significantly increased the forfeiture as a result of Sound Around’s repeated, continuous, and more than a decade-long marketing of noncompliant radio frequency devices.  

To protect against harmful interference between spectrum users, the FCC requires that wireless devices sold in the United States go through the agency’s equipment authorization process and abide by emissions power and spectrum band requirements.  It is unlawful to manufacture, advertise, or sell radio frequency devices that that do not comply with the Commission’s rules.  

The Enforcement Bureau’s Spectrum Enforcement Division first issued a citation to Sound Around for equipment marketing violations.  The company was warned of its rule violations and ordered to take the appropriate steps to ensure that its marketing of wireless microphones complied with the law going forward.  Sound Around never responded.  Two of the five models of wireless microphones included in that citation were still being marketed and included in the agency’s 2020 proposed fine which it affirmed today.  

Following a complaint in 2016, the FCC began a new investigation into Sound Around.  During this years-long investigation, the company provided incomplete answers about whether the wireless microphones it was selling were authorized.  Following the FCC’s 2020 proposed fine, the company did respond, arguing that photos of marketing websites did not prove an item could be purchased, that a decade of warnings and notices were insufficient notice, and that the proposed forfeiture amount was too high.  The FCC today rejected these arguments.

The fact that the company marketed noncompliant wireless devices – in some cases the same exact models – for more than a decade and repeatedly ignored warnings and failed to respond or fully respond to investigative inquiries led to a significantly higher fine.  Under the law, the FCC is expressly permitted to adjust fine totals upward based on egregious and/or repeated violations of the law.  Both apply to Sound Around and, as a result, the company is required to pay this $685,338 fine to the U.S. Treasury.  If Sound Around does not pay the fine, this matter will be referred to the Department of Justice for collection.

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).