Skywave Networks, LLC v. William DiSomma — 7th Cir. (argued September 10, 2026)
The Seventh Circuit considers whether Skywave Networks may bring a federal racketeering suit over experimental radio licenses issued by the FCC. Skywave says the appellees used false statements to obtain the licenses for 10Band, then used the network for commercial high-frequency trading and drove away Skywave's investors and partners. The appellees say the suit is really a challenge to FCC licensing decisions that must proceed through the agency and then the D.C. Circuit. The district court agreed and dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction; Skywave appeals.
Skywave Networks, LLC v. William DiSomma (No. 26-1015) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, argued September 10, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/external/nv.26-1015.26-1015_09_10_2026.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/oralArguments/oar.jsp?amonth=09%2F2026&aMonth=List+case%28s%29
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:https://media.ca7.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/oralArgCal/getOralArgCalendar.pl
District court memorandum opinion — Justia:https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/illinois/ilndce/1%3A2024cv09650/465826/119/0.pdf
Appellate docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca7/26-1015
47 U.S.C. § 402 — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?edition=2023&num=0&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2023-title47-section402
Justin Wilcox — Desmarais:https://www.desmaraisllp.com/appellate-practice
Kannon Shanmugam — Davis Polk:https://www.davispolk.com/lawyers/kannon-shanmugam
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:23Justin Wilcox — Skywave
- 13:07Kannon Shanmugam — Appellees