Features
Internet 'Data Scraping'
The proliferation of Internet access and mobile devices has led to an exponential explosion of content on the Web, creating a vast repository of "publicly available" information. This has made it far easier for third parties to extract this data for commercial sale and use ' and to do so for free and without authorization. This data extraction, commonly referred to as "scraping," "crawling," or "spidering" (collectively "scraping"), creates legal issues and concerns for both sides of this issue.
Features
How Royalties Are Determined for New Material Written for Public Domain Music Compositions
Not as much public domain material is recorded in comparison with original material, but if such a song becomes a hit or is on a successful album, the public performance royalties can be substantial provided the writer/arranger (who is many times the recording artist or record producer) holds the copyright in his or her version and registered it with the performance right society (PRO) with which the writer is affiliated.
Columns & Departments
Counsel Concerns
Advice-of-Counsel Affirmative Counterclaim Defense to Remain in Case Brought over Use of "Twilight" Marks<br>Former Litigation Attorney's Handling of Case Doesn't Relieve Film Company of Liability for Judgment<br>Motion to Disqualify Counsel Is Denied in Suit Involving Process for Selling Concert Recordings
Features
The Evolution of e-Discovery
e-Discovery is a much more robust field than when it started, and that expansion can be seen in the growth in the number of different tools, ways they can be combined and options that can be used throughout each stage. It's a burgeoning field, but the pool of talent has not always kept up with expansion, and it remains a difficult industry to enter without experience.
Features
Managing the Challenge of Big Data e-Discovery Using the Cloud
The power of big data was dramatically illustrated in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. Within 24 hours, investigators had compiled more than 10 terabytes of data related to the incident. By meticulously combing through it all, they were able to identify suspects in relatively short order.
Features
Earn-Out Payments In <i>Rock Band</i> Video Game at Issue in Delaware Case
Attorneys for Viacom International Inc. told the Delaware Supreme Court in oral arguments in July that their client did not breach the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing when it failed to renegotiate an agreement with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) to distribute the video game <i>Rock Band</i>, thereby reducing the earn-out payments to shareholders of the game's developer, Harmonix Music Systems Inc., which merged with the Viacom entertainment conglomerate in 2006.
Features
Rader's Olive Branch: <i>Ultramercial II</i> Resolves the Judicial Deadlock of <i>CLS Bank</i>
The Federal Circuit's <i>en banc</i> decision in <i>CLS Bank Int'l v. Alice Corp.</i> was roundly criticized as a "nightmare," further cementing the impression that the court was confused and in conflict over the requirements of patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C '101.
Columns & Departments
Court Watch
Supreme Court Ruling Makes It More Difficult To Arbitrate Claims
Features
Supreme Court Weighs in on Reverse Payment Settlement Agreements
On June 17, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court held in <i>Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, Inc.</i> that so-called "reverse payment" settlement agreements should be analyzed under a rule-of-reason analysis under which the court weighs the pro- and anti-competitive effects of such agreements on a case-by-case basis.
Features
<i>Lenz</i> Lawsuit Dances to a Fair Use Tune and Heads For Trial
A California district court has denied cross summary judgment motions in a case that has implications for fair use analysis under copyright law and DMCA litigation.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- The Availability of Self-Help Evictions to Commercial LandlordsA landlord may re-enter leased commercial premises peaceably, without resorting to court process, in those states where it is permitted, if the right to do so is expressly reserved in a commercial lease, either a) upon the tenant's defaulting on the payment of rent or other lease terms, or b) upon termination of the lease or the tenant's abandoning the premises.Read More ›
- Supreme Court Rules Rejection of Trademark License Does Not Rescind Rights of LicenseeMission Product Holdings, Inc. v. Tempnology, LLC The question is whether a debtor's rejection of its agreement granting a license "terminates rights of the licensee that would survive the licensor's breach under applicable nonbankruptcy law."Read More ›
- Bankruptcy Court Cannot Surcharge Credit Bidding Asset Buyer with Expenses of SaleExplaining that the "bankruptcy court had no jurisdiction to take such action," the Fifth Circuit also vacated the district's court's improper ruling that the bankruptcy judge could enter a personal judgment against the asset buyer.Read More ›
- Second Circuit Rejects Arbitration of Debtor's Asserted Discharge ViolationA bankruptcy court properly denied a bank's motion to compel arbitration of a debtor's asserted violation of the court's discharge injunction, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held.Read More ›
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›