Federal Communications Commission	FCC 20-101


STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY

Re:	ABC Fulfillment Services LLC d/b/a HobbyKing USA LLC and HobbyKing.com; and Indubitably, Inc. d/b/a HobbyKing Corp., HobbyKing USA LLC, HobbyKing, and HobbyKing.com, File No.: EB-SED-17-00023762, NAL/Acct. No.: 201832100015, FRN: 0027528975 

The Commission’s equipment authorization rules and processes provide a necessary safeguard to help ensure that the Commission’s rules are followed and that harmful interference does not occur because of faulty equipment.  In this instance, HobbyKing marketed and sold drone equipment to consumers that did not go through the required process and receive the necessary approvals, in violation of FCC rules.  I am, therefore, fully supportive of today’s forfeiture order.  

Further, HobbyKing’s actions are in no way analogous to the equipment authorization rule changes I have proposed.  In today’s world where people are used to Kickstarter campaigns and ordering handsets weeks before they are delivered into consumers’ eager hands, I have suggested commonsense updates to permit the pre-sale of devices and the importation of products for advertising and retail display purposes prior to their receiving FCC sign off.  In both instances, the equipment would not get into the hands of consumers without the manufacturer receiving the requisite FCC approvals.  While these rule changes can be effectively implemented without causing any harm to consumers or risk to our nation’s communications networks, the same cannot be said of HobbyKing’s actions.