New GTLDs Law Strategy for Business
June 02, 2013
In the very near future, ICANN's plans will come to fruition, as a number of the applications have passed through the ICANN internal review process and should be online in the next month or two. ICANN is anxious to get the first uncontested international TLDs online to show that they are making progress and the program is working, and that it is a critical part of the ICANN multi-stakeholder model.
The Perks of Using Avvo Ignite
May 31, 2013
Keeping up with calls, e-mails, and other inquiries can be a difficult proposition in any business. Those in the legal industry know this challenge perhaps more than most. Bob Bennett & Associates is a Houston law firm that deals primarily with professional ethics and licensing issues. We provide free consultation to people who are experiencing trouble with a licensing agency, and keeping up with the volume of calls that are received per day can be…
FTC Warns Companies of Children's Privacy Violations
May 31, 2013
On May 15, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent letters to more than 90 businesses, informing them that they could potentially be in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) when changes to the law go into effect on July 1.
The Federalization of Bitcoins
May 31, 2013
On March 18, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Treasury Department (FinCEN) issued guidance on the application of its regulations: 'Application of FinCEN's Regulations to Persons Administering, Exchanging, or Using Virtual Currencies.' Much of its attention is focused on the bitcoin, a virtual currency introduced in 2009, although this currency is not mentioned by name.
The Reality of Virtual ADR
May 31, 2013
While Internet applications of ADR are neither technologically nor legally restricted to disputes arising out of Internet transactions, it seems to be particularly suitable for the resolution of e-commerce disputes when parties are frequently located far from one another.
Using IP to Prevent Negative UGC Comments
May 31, 2013
Smart companies understand that the power of user generated content (UGC) is that it is at least somewhat out of control. They craft their brand strategies accordingly, using social media to address customer concerns directly and publicly, rewarding social media influencers and picking their battles. But still, the courts remain full of litigants who do not seem to get the message. In particular, some businesses continue to attempt to use intellectual property law to stop customers from sharing their experiences on the Internet.
Bit Parts
May 31, 2013
Jury Instructions for Implied Contract Cases<br>No Safe Harbor for Uploads of Pre-1972 Sound Recordings
Identifying Unnamed Online Speakers
May 31, 2013
The '<i>Dendrite</i> test,' has discouraged lawsuits whose real objective is identifying anonymous speakers. Prior to <i>Dendrite</i>, thousands of lawsuits were filed each year seeking to identify Internet speakers, and enforcement of subpoenas was almost automatic. Since <i>Dendrite</i>, both the number of lawsuits designed to identify Internet speakers and the automatic nature of the enforcement of those subpoenas has declined due to the broad application of Dendrite. Recently, an appellate court in <i>Warren Hospital v. John Does (1-10)</i> has limited the application of <i>Dendrite</i>.
