CBS can stay clothed July 21, 2008

The “wardrobe malfunction” has finally been resolved.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (yes, the one right here in Philadelphia) overruled the FCC’s fine of $550,000 on CBS for the exposing of Janet Jackson’s breast for “nine-sixteenths” of a second during the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show.

Good riddance.

The court said the FCC could not prove that CBS “willfully and knowingly” allowed the act to take place, as Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake acted as independent agents.

Take that, FCC.

I must give myself a pat on the back — in my term paper last fall, I argued, based on many legal precedents, that there was no way the FCC could win this battle. If you want proof, you can read my paper.