RMR Feels the HEAT!

On October 27, 2006, the Federal Communications Commission issued a memorandum opinion and an order to Michael Churchman and Rocky Mountain Radar, denying their request seeking copies of all complaints alleged against RMR, with the complaining parties clearly identified, under the “Freedom of Information Act”.

Michael Churchman cites several different factors why the complaints should be released:

1. The only FCC Order or citation against RMR was issued in 1977 and relates to the Spirit II device.
2. RMR maintains that its devices are certified by the FCC and “comply with the existing code”
3. That any complaints lodged against RMR were submitted by its competitors for competitive advantage.
4. And finally, RMR argues that the FCC rules provide that the complaints are routinely available for public inspection.

The Federal Communications Commission stated that it did receive a complaint alleging that RMR was marketing devices designed to jam or interfere with police radar, and that the Enforcement Bureau has instituted an investigation. However, under FOIA Exemption 7(a) that they may withhold “records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes but only to the extent that production of such law enforcement records or information could be reasonably be expected to interfere with law enforcement proceedings”.

In the November Issue of FHH Telecom Law, Mitchell Lasarus wrote “If the FCC ultimately has to disclose the complaints, it could find that a major source of information on violations quickly dries up.”

So it appears that Michael Churchman feeling the heat of the complaints filed against his company and perhaps the reason behind his new company KAT (Kick Ass Technologies) that is now selling radar detectors without the claim of being able to scramble police radar?