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Features

'Distribution' in Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Lawsuits

Robert W. Clarida & Robert J. Bernstein

The efforts of the entertainment industry to stem the infringement of sound recordings and motion pictures on the Internet have been widely reported. More than 20,000 infringement actions have been commenced against individuals, mostly in connection with their use of peer-to-peer ('P2P') services to share recordings with other P2P users. The legal basis for these actions is often misunderstood, however, by commentators ' and sometimes even by the courts. This article discusses several recent P2P cases that deal directly with a central element of most P2P cases, namely the allegation that users violate the plaintiffs' distribution rights under 17 U.S.C. '106 whenever they place a digital recording or video in a 'share' folder that other P2P users can access.

Features

Boring Couple Sues Google over Street View

Zusha Elinson

Aaron and Christine Boring say they enjoyed the, well, quiet life in the countryside outside Pittsburgh ' until Google showed up in the driveway. The couple is suing the Mountain View, CA, search giant for invading its privacy by snapping a photo of the Boring house for Google Street View, a map feature that allows users to see pictures of streets. It caused the Borings 'mental suffering and diminished value of their property,' according to the complaint filed in Pennsylvania state court. They're seeking at least $25,000 in damages.

Blogs Are Afforded Unequal Protection

Jonathan Bick

The U.S. Supreme Court created a bit of a problem when it ruled that commercial speech is entitled to limited First Amendment protection, but failed to clearly identify what commercial speech is. So, it often comes down to this: If a business elects to engage in a debate on important social issues, its principals ' and counsel ' have no way of knowing the level of constitutional protection that speech will receive. This issue is becoming especially important to owners of blogs.

Plenty of Reasons Why You Should Bother Getting U.S. Patents

Phillip Articola

Based on recent court decisions and pending PTO rule changes, one may question the viability and value of U.S. patents. While some court decisions have altered the playing field somewhat, the strength of the U.S. patent and legal systems remains quite strong.

Assessing the Obviousness of Inventions

Marcelo S. Copat

Organizations should evaluate their innovation processes in light of the evolving meaning of obviousness.

Features

An Overview of Twombly on Patent Pleading Disputes

Dion Messer

In <i>Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly</i>, an antitrust case, the U.S. Supreme Court put to rest the five-decade-old pleading standard from <i>Conley v. Gibson</i> that 'a complaint should not be dismissed for failure to state a claim unless it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim that would entitle him to relief.'

Features

What Is Reasonable?

Benjamin Hershkowitz & Charles Wizenfeld

Several recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court have arguably tipped the scales toward alleged infringers involved in a patent battle.

What's Hot, What's Not

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Who's doing what; who's going where.

Features

Profitable Use of Associates

Joel A. Rose

To evaluate its policies and procedures for associate recruiting, career development, and profitability, a firm must take stock of its current recruiting and associate career development program, assess its future needs, and set in motion a unified plan that involves all components of the organization.

Features

India: The International Hotspot -- Franchising Goes East

Graeme Payne & Lisa Sen

Despite the positive economic conditions and the demand for international brands, the Indian legal framework still raises some barriers to international business. The Indian government has the delicate task of balancing what is perceived to be in the interest of local businesses and those of foreign investors.

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