Getting Payment From a TV Station?

[Joe Tracy]

I'm not sure exactly where to post this, but I think some of you may be able
to help me (I'm a regular reader of what posts are made here):

We have a TV station that owes us just over $5,000. They've owned us since
February for production work we did for them. We stopped working for them
"until payment of back work was received." Instead of paying us, they went
out and bought new equipment and continued production themselves.

We have signed contracts (for TV Shows and TV Commercials we produced) and
dated invoices, etc.. They had been paying faithfully when we began working
for them last July.

For months they have refused to return any of our phone calls or answer any of
our mailings or faxes to them.

We took them to a collection agency who had no success in collecting.

My question now is "What can we do?"

What can we "threaten" them with or carry through with that will force them to
pay us what they owe us? (there was never disatisfaction with service, just
"financial hardships").

Is there any recorse or complaint filings that can be made through the FCC?
(I'd be very interested in knowing about this).

Besides a lawsuit, can you put a lein on a TV station? I know state laws vary
(I'm from Oregon).

The station is a WB affiliate.

Any information anyone can provide would be GREATLY appreciated. If you
respond to this group, please also send the response to my email as my
newserver only picks up about 50% of the actual posts.

Thank you very much for any informational assistance you can provide.

With Great Appreciation,

Joe Tracy, Owner
Studio Visions
rtr...@sisna.com