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Sony Raises Concerns on Proposed Changes to Gear Authorization Rules

Sony Group advised caution on any additional rules in response to the further NPRM that the FCC approved in October to tighten its equipment authorization regulations (see 2510280024). The agency is seeking comment on whether to prohibit the authorization of equipment that contains “logic-bearing hardware, firmware, or software components manufactured by entities identified on the Covered List,” Sony said in a filing posted Monday in docket 21-232.

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The commission shouldn’t expand its rules “to broadly encompass component parts installed in finished products,” Sony said. “The contemplated scope could include control components with no communications capability or RF signal processing function, as well as open-source software not intended to engage with RF functionality.” The company also advised against requiring the FCC ID to be visible on the outside of all product packaging or placing “expiration dates or other time limits” on equipment authorizations.