Overview
The LPFM Voluntary Public Inspection File (VPIF) system was designed by REC Networks for Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations that are desiring to voluntarily maintain a public inspection file similar to those that are required under the FCC rules for full-service broadcast stations. VPIF allows stations to edit their station contact information, update their board membership information (FCC rules still apply for certain transfer of control and assignments) and upload documents that are similar to those used by full-service stations.
Legal Information
No legal concusion has been made regarding the use of this VPIF file for political files and third-party fundraising files, which are required of LPFM stations when appropriate. While VPIF does provide a facility to upload these documents, it is our interpretation of the regulations that LPFM stations must also keep these files in the station records at the LPFM station's control point. REC is not responsible for any legal ramifications encountered as a result of participation in VPIF.
System Security
While anyone anywhere in the world can view the information that is contained in VPIF, the ability to change certain aspects of those records as well as the ability to upload files is protected by a password. Each password account is exclusive to a single facility. Only one password account will be provided per facility. REC's policy is that accounts will only be given at the request of a responsible party at the station. Responsible parties include any member of the board of directors (as noted on an FCC application as a party to the application or in a voluntarily-filed ownership report) or the Contact Representative as shown in the FCC systems. Attorneys will only be serviced if they are the designated Contact Represntative for the facility. REC will not discuss system security with any other person. REC reserves the right to suspend or revoke access to the VPIF system in the event of abuse or other inappropriate use.
Providing FCC Registration Number (FRN) information to REC
By using the VPIF System, you are establishing a client relationship with REC Networks. In order to promote security on the system and assure that all users with passwords are authorized to represent the stations they hold passwords for, we must use various methods to autenticate initial access requests. This is for the protection of the LPFM facility. One optional method is providing REC with the broadcast facility's FRN password information. This method would be used solely for the purpose of authentication and FRN data may be held by REC for future VPIF related inquiries.
Options for Initial Authentication
REC currently provides up to four methods of authentication for initial access:
- Current REC clients - If a facility has been a past client of REC Networks where we already have your FRN password on file, you may select an option where you can enter your FRN password and it checked against our records. Once your e-mail address is verified, you will receive access to the system.
- Verification through station E-mail address - If the LPFM facility has an e-mail address in the FCC systems, we can attempt to send an e-mail to that address. Clicking a link on the e-mail sent by VPIF will verify the e-mail address and provide you access to the system. Using this option, there is no need to provide FRN password information.
- FRN password validation - If the facility has not been a past client of REC and we do not have your FRN password information on file, you may select an option where we will ask for your FRN and FRN password. As long as the FRN and FRN password authenticate and are associated with the facility being applied for, access will be granted to the system.
- Manual validation - If the facility does not wish to provide their FRN password and does not have access to the e-mail address in the FCC systems, the user may sign up for access and then send an e-mail to REC with a copy of a government-issued photo ID (license, ID and SSN numbers may be redacted on the copy). The ID must belong to a board member (as noted on an FCC application as a party to the application or in a voluntarily-filed ownership report) or the Contact Representative as shown in the FCC systems.
Use of the services
- You may use VPIF to upload a station logo. The logo must meet the REC design guidelines (1:1 aspect ratio and a minimum of 200x200 resolution), is appropriate and does not violate any intellectual property rights other than those secured by the broadcaster for such distribution and use. By uploading a station logo, you agree that your station has the rights to use all of the material in the content and that you provide REC license to use this information throughout the various REC Systems.
- You may use VPIF to upload portable document format (PDF) files that are appropriate to those documents normally submitted as a part of a broadcast public inspection file. Material must be relevant and appropriate and must not contain any information that may violate federal, state or local laws nor contain any indecent or obscene material (except in connection with complaints regarding indecent or obsecene material being broadcast). REC reserves the right to set limits on file sizes and the number of files uploaded to the VPIF system.
- You may use VPIF to modify information provided to REC by the FCC in certain subjects. These modifications must be relevant and appropriate. These modifications only impact VPIF and potentially other REC systems and is not a replacement for any required filings with the FCC. Names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and website universal resource locators (URLs) must relate to the station and can not be used to promote a for-profit business or for any other use.
Cookies and GDPR
VPIF does use cookies in validated sessions and during the initial sign-up process. VPIF participation is limited to specific broadcast stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States and its associated territories. VPIF does not comply with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as this site is not intended nor targeted for users inside the European Union.
Privacy
REC has had a long standing policy to not provide non-public information to third party organizations for the purposes of marketing or other reasons. Much of the data in VPIF is obtained through public records at the Federal Communications Commission, which is considered in the public domain.
Copyrights/DMCA
The VPIF website presentation template is based on the one used for the Federal Communications Commission's Public Inspection File System. Since this is a federal government work, it is in the public domain. The internal software used to power the site is the property of REC Networks and is copyrighted accordingly. All rights reserved. By using this system, you agree to respect those copyrights and not reverse engineer the system or attempt to circumvent any system process. For purposes of the Digial Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), REC Network's copyright agent is Michelle Bradley, 11541 Riverton Wharf Rd., Mardela Springs, MD 21837 or send an e-mail to lpfm@recnet.com. REC will review all DMCA claims related to lpfm.ws and act accordingly.
