Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

CBS-Janet Jackson fine thrown out

|
|
 
  
Janet Jackson performs with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII half time show. The New England Patriots face the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2004. (UPI Photo/Pat Benic) 
Published: July 21, 2008 at 3:51 PM

PHILADELPHIA, July 21 (UPI) -- A U.S. appeals court Monday threw out a fine against CBS for Janet Jackson's live nipple flash during half-time at the 2004 Super Bowl in Houston.

The $550,000 fine was imposed was imposed by the Federal Communications Commission, which itself was under pressure from Congress to clean up broadcasting.

The Philadelphia-based court ruled that the FCC fine was arbitrary and flew in the face of longstanding policy -- specifically, that brief nudity was not indecent, Broadcasting & Cable reported. The court also said broadcasters could not be held liable for on-air actions they could not see coming.

The FCC had argued that CBS-owned stations also could be held liable because Jackson and nipple barer Justin Timberlake were in effect CBS employees when the shenanigan occurred. The commission said CBS therefore could be held vicariously liable for the conduct, the report said.

Recommended Stories
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade The making of the Oscars
The Chicago Auto Show The Most Desirable Women of 2012 Tu Bishvat Migron settlement
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 20
Syrian protests continue
View Caption
fark
Photoshop this topless athlete
Man rejects girlfriend's noodles, says toodles by leaving her in poodle of blood. Oodles of boodle...
Mormons tried to posthumously baptize Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel but were...
School principals should probably have background checks processed on them before they are hired...or...
Despite having a court order against her, man interrupts domestic battery case against his girlfriend...
Empire State building IPO issued. Subby also has a bridge to sell you as well