Legal Hotline
LEGAL HOTLINE: (717) 703-3080
One of PNA’s most popular services to our members is the free Legal Hotline. PNA members may call the hotline with any legal questions.
PNA attorneys routinely provide members with pre-publication review and advice on the Right to Know law, the Sunshine Act, independent contractors, libel, court access issues, First Amendment, copyright and trademark, the Pennsylvania Shield Law and advertising issues. Many reporters from PNA member news media organizations also rely on PNA’s attorneys for quotes on stories involving legal issues.
Members may also contact PNA’s Media Law Counsel directly via email.
Legal Hotline: Trademark Basics
Q: What are the basic rules of trademark that apply to our classified advertising section? Is the publication liable if an advertiser uses a trademark without permission from the trademark holder? Does…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Regular Meeting Notice
Q: Does the Sunshine Act require agencies to provide a general meeting notice at the beginning of the year, and if so, what are the requirements? A: Yes. The Sunshine Act requires…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: RTKL and Public Meeting Records
Q: On Monday, I asked a school district for copies of records that will be discussed during its regular public meeting scheduled for Friday. They told me to file a Right to…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Hunting License Ads
Q: An advertiser wants to run an ad saying “Will pay up to $500 for valid PA deer hunting license.” Should we accept this type of ad? A: No. Pennsylvania deer hunting…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: RTKL-Enhanced Electronic Access
Q: An agency makes some of its public records available online through a vendor, but the vendor charges fees well above the $.25 per page copy fee and only accepts certain credit…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Access to Election Returns
Q: What are the rules regarding public access to election returns? The Pennsylvania Elections Code makes election returns public records. In counties that use electronic voting systems, public access to returns is…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Press Access to Polling Places
Q: What are the rules on press access to polling places? A: The Pennsylvania Election Code, 25 P.S. § 3060, provides, among other things, as follows: (a) Until the polls are closed,…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Political Ads – Last Minute
Q: Isn’t there a rule in Pennsylvania or federal law that restricts last-minute political ads? A: There is no federal law or regulation that prohibits last minute political ads in newspapers, and…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Political Ads – Size and Placement of Disclaimers
Q: Are there laws that govern the appearance of disclaimers required in political ads? A: Yes, state and federal laws govern the appearance of disclaimers in political ads. State and local election…
Read MoreLegal Hotline: Political Ads – State and Local Elections
Q: We’re getting a lot of political ads for local and state candidates as we approach Election Day. What are some of the issues we need to consider when reviewing political advertising?…
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