At page 125 Review of statutory interpretation and private right of action20 citing casesOur review of questions of statutory interpretation is plenary.” (citing DIRECTV, Inc. v. Pepe, 431 F.3d 162, 166 (3d Cir. 2005))
- Naomi Speaks v. United States, No. 25-1156 (3d Cir. Feb. 3, 2026).unpublishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2007). 2 Ideal Dairy Farms, Inc. v. John Labatt, Ltd., 90 F.3d 737 , 748 (3d Cir. 1996). 3 Farabaugh v. Pa. Tpk.
- Terril Edwards v., 98 F.4th 425 (3d Cir. 2024).published(Our review of questions of statutory interpretation is plenary.” (citing DIRECTV, Inc. v. Pepe, 431 F.3d 162, 166 (3d Cir. 2005)))
- Michael Bond v. Johnson & Johnson, No. 22-1127 (3d Cir. Sept. 30, 2022).unpublishedOnly Bond’s case is at issue in this appeal. 3 Curry v. Yachera, 835 F.3d 373, 377 (3d Cir. 2016). 4 DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2007). 5 Although this case is about a question of North Carolina state law, we note th…
- Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. M Amir C, Inc., No. 2:16-cv-04834 (E.D. Pa. July 13, 2020).“Section 605 provides a civil remedy for the unauthorized use or publication of various wire or radio communications, including encrypted satellite broadcasts”
- J & J Sports Prods., Inc. v. Hackett, 269 F. Supp. 3d 658 (E.D. Pa. 2017).published“provides a civil remedy for the unauthorized use or publication of various wire or radio communications, including encrypted satellite broadcasts”
- Randy Long v. Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc, 671 F.3d 371 (3d Cir. 2012).publishedWe have appellate jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and exercise plenary review over both the grant of a motion to dismiss, Fagin v. Gilmartin, 432 F.3d 276, 281 (3d Cir.2005), and questions of statutory interpretation, DIRECTV Inc. v.…
- William Burrows v. Logan Twp, 415 F. App'x 379 (3d Cir. 2011).unpublishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
- Frank Mobilio v. NJ Div. of Law Pub Saf., 413 F. App'x 520 (3d Cir. 2011).unpublishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2007) (citing CAT Internet Servs.
- Nancy Soehnle v. Hess Corp, 399 F. App'x 749 (3d Cir. 2010).unpublishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
- Indian Brand Farms, Inc. v. Novartis Crop Prot. Inc., 617 F.3d 207 (3d Cir. 2010).published DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007) (citing CAT Internet Servs., Inc. v. Providence Wash. Ins.
Show 9 more citing cases
- Dique v. New Jersey State Police, 603 F.3d 181 (3d Cir. 2010).publishedE.g., DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
- Vallies v. Sky Bank, 591 F.3d 152 (3d Cir. 2009).published“[o]ur review of questions of statutory interpretation is plenary”
- Bansal v. Pavlock, 352 F. App'x 611 (3d Cir. 2009).unpublished DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
- Michael Walsh v. Bank of Amer, 320 F. App'x 131 (3d Cir. 2009).unpublished DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007) (citation committed).
- United States v. Carlisle HMA Inc, No. 07-4616 (3d Cir. Jan. 21, 2009).publishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2007) (citing CAT Internet Servs.
- United States ex rel. Kosenske v. Carlisle HMA, Inc., 554 F.3d 88 (3d Cir. 2009).publishedDIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007) (citing CAT Internet Servs.
- Jon Tirk v. Dubrook Inc, 673 F. App'x 238 (3d Cir. 2016).unpublishedSee DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir. 2007) (citing CAT Internet Servs.
- In re the United States, 620 F.3d 304 (3d Cir. 2010).publishedSee DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
- In re Elec. Commc'n Serv. to Disclose, 620 F.3d 304 (3d Cir. 2010).publishedSee DIRECTV Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 125 (3d Cir.2007).
At page 126 “it is well established that arguments not raised before the district court are waived on appeal.”17 citing cases
- Aio US, Inc., No. 24-11836 (Bankr. D. Del. Oct. 30, 2025).(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- Solid State Chemicals LTD v. Ashland Inc, No. 22-2724 (3d Cir. Oct. 25, 2023).unpublished(It is well established that arguments not raised before the [d]istrict [c]ourt are waived on appeal.)
- Battle Born Munitions Inc v. Dicks Sporting Goods, No. 22-1005, 2023 WL 4758449 (3d Cir. July 26, 2023).unpublished(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are [forfeited] on appeal.)
- Sylvia Wigton v. Dir. United States Off. of Pers. Manage, No. 22-1942 (3d Cir. Feb. 2, 2023).unpublished (It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- CPR Mgmt. SA v. Devon Park Bioventures LP, 19 F.4th 236 (3d Cir. 2021).published(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- Katchen v. Neumann, No. 3:20-cv-06333 (D.N.J. Apr. 27, 2021).(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- Tribune Media Co. v., 902 F.3d 384 (3d Cir. 2018).published(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- In re Mark A. Culp v., 681 F. App'x 140 (3d Cir. 2017).unpublished(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- Energy Future Holdings Corp. v., 990 F.3d 728 (3d Cir. 2021).published“It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal”
- Montville Twp. Bd. of Ed v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co, No. 18-3073 (3d Cir. July 26, 2019).unpublished“It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal”
Show 7 more citing cases
- D.A. Nolt, Inc. v. Local Union No. 30 United Union of Roofers, 661 F. App'x 200 (3d Cir. 2016).unpublished(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- OFI Asset Mgmt. v. Cooper Tire & Rubber, 834 F.3d 481 (3d Cir. 2016).published(It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal.)
- Equal Emp. Opportunity Comm'n v. Kronos Inc., 694 F.3d 351 (3d Cir. 2012).published
- Chambers v. Sch. Dist. of Philadelphia Bd. of Educ., 587 F.3d 176 (3d Cir. 2009).published
- Christopher Murdock v. Borough of Edgewater, 600 F. App'x 67 (3d Cir. 2015).unpublished
- Mario Lopez Garza v. Citigroup Inc, 881 F.3d 277 (3d Cir. 2018).published
- Dempsey v. Delaware Dep't of Pub. Saf., 359 F. App'x 347 (3d Cir. 2009).unpublished
At page 124 cited at this page2 citing cases
- DIRECTV, LLC v. Perugini, 28 F. Supp. 3d 351 (M.D. Pa. 2014).publishedDIRECTV, Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 124 (3d Cir.2007); 47 U.S.C. § 605 (e)(3)(A).
- Directv, Inc. v. Walsh, 540 F. Supp. 2d 553 (M.D. Pa. 2008).publishedDIRECTV, Inc. v. Seijas, 508 F.3d 123, 124 (3d Cir.2007).
Other citing cases
- Paul Hanson v. Sussex Cnty. Prosecutors Off., No. 25-1779 (3d Cir. Sept. 22, 2025).unpublished
- Peter Mocco v. Aegis Frumento, 710 F. App'x 535 (3d Cir. 2017).unpublished
- Rhonshawn Jackson v. Jeffrey Beard, 704 F. App'x 194 (3d Cir. 2017).unpublished
- Frank Roy v. Travelers Ins., 579 F. App'x 94 (3d Cir. 2014).unpublished
- John Jones v. Gemalto Inc., 560 F. App'x 119 (3d Cir. 2014).unpublished
- Edwards v. AH Cornell & Son, Inc., 610 F.3d 217 (3d Cir. 2010).published
- DirecTV, Inc. v. Barczewski, 604 F.3d 1004 (7th Cir. 2010).published
- Linda Sondesky v. Cherry Scaffolding Inc., No. 19-2899 (3d Cir. Sept. 13, 2021).unpublished
- G2A.COM Sp. z.o.o. (Ltd.) v. United States, No. 18-3401 (3d Cir. Oct. 15, 2019).unpublished
- Williams v. Amerisuites, 265 F. App'x 72 (3d Cir. 2008).unpublished
v.
Nelson SEIJAS; Phil Vanasse; Jeff Alfonso; Robert Allen; Richard Amore; Courtney Anglin; Brian Appleby; Jerry Wayne Arnold; Scott A. Williamson; Richard Amore, Third-Party Plaintiffs v. Dana Amore; Sandra Cummings, Third-Party Defendants. Scott Williamson, Appellant
OPINION
ROTH, Circuit Judge:Defendant Scott Williamson appeals the District Court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of DIRECTV, Inc., finding that Williamson violated the Federal Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 605, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. § 2511. This appeal presents the question of whether there is a private right of action for the unlawful interception of encrypted satellite transmissions under those statutory provisions. We hold that there is, and we will affirm the order of the District Court.
I. Factual and Procedural Background
DIRECTV filed a complaint against Williamson and eight other defendants in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on May 23, 2003. In Counts I and II of its Complaint, DIRECTV alleged that Williamson and the other defendants had illegally intercepted DIRECTV’s satellite transmissions in violation of the Federal Communications Act (47 U.S.C. § 605(a)) and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2511(1)(a)). In Count III, DIRECTV claimed that the defendants illegally possessed pirate access devices in violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2512(1)(b)).
Williamson responded to DIRECTV’s complaint in a November 24, 2003, letter, rejecting all allegations and claiming that any devices purchased were not used for illegal activities. On September 9, 2004, DIRECTV sent discovery requests to Williamson’s address via certified mail. The parties discussed those requests with the Magistrate Judge during an October 26, 2004, teleconference.
Months passed, and Williamson failed to respond to DIRECTV’s discovery re[*125] quests. On December 23, 2004, DIRECTV moved for summary judgment on Counts I and II. Williamson opposed on the sole ground that he had not received DIRECTV’s requests for admission. The District Court issued an Opinion and Order granting DIRECTV’s motion, awarding DIRECTV statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief. In its Opinion and Order, the District Court found that Williamson had not “acted in good faith or without fault” in failing to respond to DIRECTV’s discovery requests. Williamson now appeals.
II. Discussion
We have jurisdiction over this appeal from a final judgment of the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review the District Court’s grant of summary judgment de novo. CAT Internet Servs. Inc. v. Providence Washington Ins. Co., 333 F.3d 138, 141 (3d Cir.2003).
The issues that we must consider in this appeal are whether DIRECTV has a private right of action under the Federal Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 605, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. § 2511. [1] Our review of questions of statutory interpretation is plenary. DIRECTV, Inc. v. Pepe, 431 F.3d 162, 166 (3d Cir.2005).
We held in DIRECTV, Inc. v. Pepe, 431 F.3d 162 (3d Cir.2005), that private parties may bring an action for damages and in-junctive relief for a violation of Section 2511 of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. Id. at 167. Our reasoning was based on the plain language of Sections 2511(l)(a) and 2520. Other circuits have reached the same conclusion. DIRECTV, Inc. v. Bennett, 470 F.3d 565 (5th Cir.2006); DIRECTV, Inc. v. Nicholas, 403 F.3d 223 (4th Cir.2005).
We did not have to address directly in Pepe whether Section 605 of the Federal Communications Act provides a private right of action. But in describing DIRECTV’s claims in that case, we stated, “Section 605 provides a civil remedy for the unauthorized use or publication of various wire or radio communications, including encrypted satellite broadcasts.” Pepe, 431 F.3d at 164. We now hold that the Federal Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 605, provides a private right of action for violations of the statute’s prohibition of piracy of airborne transmissions.
The plain language of Section 605 makes clear that it provides private parties with such a cause of action. Section 605(a) (the subject of Count I of DIRECTV’s complaint) provides, in relevant part, “No person not being entitled thereto shall receive or assist in receiving any interstate or foreign communication by radio and use such communication (or any information therein contained) for his own benefit or for the benefit of another not entitled thereto.” 47 U.S.C. § 605(a). Section 605(e)(3)(A), in turn, provides, “Any person aggrieved by any violation of subsection (a) of this section ... may bring a civil action in a United States district court....” 47 U.S.C § 605(e)(3)(A) (emphasis added). Section 605(e) plainly authorizes a private action for violations of Section 605(a).
IV. Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, we conclude that there is a private right of action[*126] available under Section 605(a) of the Federal Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 605(a). Accordingly, we will affirm the District Court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of DIRECTV.
. It is well established that arguments not raised before the District Court are waived on appeal. Belitskus v. Pizzingrilli, 343 F.3d 632, 645 (3d Cir.2003). On appeal, Williamson claims the District Court also erred in permitting the joinder of multiple defendants and in granting injunctive relief. Williamson did not raise those claims before the District Court, and as such they have been waived.