Cameo Clips
April 30, 2009
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT/JURY INSTRUCTIONS<br>TRADEMARK USES/QUALITY CONTROL
A Look at Law That Restricts Non-Competes In Broadcasting
April 30, 2009
New York broadcast employees who otherwise have been subject to restrictive non-compete clauses in their employment contracts are the prime beneficiaries of the Broadcast Employees Freedom to Work Act, NY Labor Law '202-k, signed into law in 2008 by Governor David Paterson. The law forbids some, but not all, attempts by employers in broadcasting media to restrict the range of opportunities for certain employees following the termination or expiration of employment. Similar legislation benefiting broadcast industry employees has been passed in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine and Washington, DC; and non-compete provisions are banned in California.
New Jersey Truth in Music Advertising Law Applies to Common Law Service Marks
April 30, 2009
Since 2004, Truth in Music Advertising statutes have been enacted in more than 26 states. These laws, aimed at preventing consumer confusion between a recording group and a performing group, set forth several conditions, at least one of which must be met to legally use the name of a music group in conjunction with a concert performance. In April 2009, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a ruling in a case that involved the constitutionality of that state's law.
Knock, Knock: Surprise, Opportunity's Here
April 30, 2009
Opportunity knocks when you least expect it ' but will it knock when the economy is in freefall and the legal profession is seeing some of its worst layoffs ever? Whether you're an e-commerce attorney, or engage in general practice, the economy can visit your firm ' whether a large partnership or a one-person shop ' and deal a blow. The answer: maybe, if you network!
Boom, Boom, Boom
April 30, 2009
While it is helpful to be able to research issues online and communicate with key employees while sitting at the board table, I find that the level of distraction from the board's deliberations has diminished the value of these meetings, for me and for the company. While this problem is certainly not limited to e-commerce or technology firms, I think that the great reliance on such technology by their executives and directors makes the legal duty to "pay attention" even more of a pressing issue for such firms.
Who Should Monitor Online Counterfeiters?
April 30, 2009
Oral arguments will soon be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in the highly watched dispute between renowned jeweler Tiffany & Co. and eBay, the popular online auction site, over who bears the burden of "policing" online counterfeit activity. Evidencing the tension between e-commerce and brand owners, eBay, Tiffany and several amici curiae have advanced their positions to the circuit. This article summarizes some of the arguments.
e-Commerce and Canada
April 30, 2009
With a recession taking a chunk from some e-retailers' sales, U.S. entrepreneurs are looking to expand their e-sales base north of the border, onto Canadian consumers' computer screens. But reaching that wider shopper base can present problems, particularly when a Web retailer attempts cross-border transactions into Canada. Many retailers may be surprised to learn that a number of legal differences exist that can present thorny issues to even the smallest boutique U.S.-based Web site selling to customers who make their purchases online in Canada.
Cisco Legal Increases Efficiency
April 30, 2009
An ongoing challenge of Cisco Legal's priority to deliver value efficiently to its business customers is the need to facilitate intra- as well as inter-departmental collaboration with outside counsel and business partners and customers.
