Features
Improving Mobile App Privacy
Companies that create and distribute mobile apps are under increasing pressure to protect user data. In 2013, the FTC and the California Attorney General each published privacy recommendations for mobile apps. Among other things, the FTC urges "privacy by design," advising companies to build privacy protections into apps from the outset.
Features
<i>Commentary</i> New Laws Needed To Protect Student Data
Students and schools around the country are utilizing new digital technologies in ways many people did not imagine at the turn of the century ' and those technologies offer great promise. Unfortunately, the current legal framework designed to protect student privacy and safety has not kept up with the rapid advancements that have been created by the Digital Age.
Features
Federal Circuit Limits ITC's Indirect Patent Infringement Authority
On Dec. 13, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a landmark decision limiting the statutory authority of the International Trade Commission (ITC) to remedy indirect infringement, holding "that an exclusion order based on a violation of 19 U.S.C. '1337(a)(1)(B)(i) may not be predicated on a theory of induced infringement under 35 U.S.C. '271(b) where direct infringement does not occur until after importation of the articles the exclusion order would bar."
Features
Supreme Court Rejects Review of 'Shopping Cart' Patents
Soverain Software, the e-commerce company whose $2.5 million jury win for infringement of its "shopping cart" patents was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, failed to convince the U.S. Supreme Court to take its appeal.
Senate Introduces Data Security Act
Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) are taking aim at retailers with new legislation intended to improve safeguards for consumer information, following recent revelations about data breaches at Target Corp. and Neiman Marcus Group Ltd.
Sup. Ct. Hears <i>Raging Bull</i> Laches Dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court in January heard oral arguments on whether a person's unreasonable delay in filing a copyright infringement action can be used to bar that lawsuit. <i>Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer</i> Inc. stems from a dispute over the rights to <i>Raging Bull</i>, the 1980 Martin Scorsese film based on the life of World Middleweight Champion Jake LaMotta.
Columns & Departments
Court Watch
Recent Cases Raise Red Flags for Franchise Agreement Drafters <br>Ill. Appellate Court Holds FDD Earnings Claim Disclaimers Defeat Fraud Claim<br>Noting New York City's Density, Court Enforces, But Limits, Restrictive Covenant
European Civil Law, Franchise Agreements and the Duty of Good Faith
The "restrictive," "adaptive" and "collateral" approaches to a duty of good faith can be found in differing combinations and degrees in most of the civil jurisdictions in the EU, despite the fact that some of them have a very different historical perspectives and approaches to the concept of good faith. Last month we took a look at the German system; now, we turn to the French.
Bid to Topple Patent Law Doctrine Fails
Palo Alto Networks' unusual bid to drive its patent battle with rival Juniper Networks into state court has fallen short.
Features
Amend Your Arbitration Clause to Comply with New Rules
Franchising companies often select arbitration to resolve issues with their franchisees and critical vendors. An arbitral forum allows the parties to discuss and resolve marketing initiatives outside of the prying eyes of the media and competitors. Although some companies welcome the limitations on appeals of arbitration awards as an advantage in reaching finality of business disputes, others find it a reason to avoid arbitration, because the costs of a bad outcome can be high.
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