Crowdsourcing the Law
August 30, 2010
The Internet's completely over, the musician once-again known as Prince declared this summer. If so, I am at a loss to explain the ongoing emergence of innovative Web sites such as Spindle Law, a new site that is reconfiguring the traditional legal treatise to make it better fit a "Web 2.0" world.
Navigating the Changing Technological Landscape
August 30, 2010
In <i>City of Ontario v. Quon</i>, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a government employer's search of an employee's communications on an employer-issued pager was reasonable under the circumstances and, therefore, did not violate the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. The Court's narrowly tailored decision underscores that cases in the area of employee privacy will continue to be highly fact-sensitive.
Prognostication Is a Mug's Game
August 27, 2010
Because of the disconnect between professionals and marketers, many firm marketers are inhibited from innovating. Perhaps time and competition will temper this situation.
All That Twitters Is Not Gold
August 27, 2010
No one should be shocked to learn that false or misleading statements on a social networking site or blog are often likely to be deemed unethical. Surprisingly, though, even truthful statements have led to negative repercussions for at least one attorney...
IP News
August 26, 2010
Highlights of the latest intellectual property news from around the country.
Hyundai Motor America v. National Union
August 26, 2010
Defendants in patent infringement actions have new reason to scrutinize their Commercial General Liability insurance policies. On April 5, 2010, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that allegations of patent infringement involving a method of advertising constitute "advertising injury," triggering an insurer's duty to defend a patent infringement suit.
A Long Voyage from the Runway to the Beltway
August 26, 2010
The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Protection Act ("IDPPA" or S. 3728) was introduced in the Senate on Aug. 5, 2010 by Sen. Charles Schumer. The bill proposes to extend copyright protection to unique fashion designs by amending Chapter 13 of U.S. Code Title 17 (the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act of 1998).
Policing Workplace e-Mail Use
August 26, 2010
On-the-job Internet surfing has become a problem that employers can no longer ignore. A recent Office of Inspector General investigation, for example, revealed that senior-level SEC staff, including an attorney, used their workplace computers to view online pornography for up to eight hours per day during the period of time that led this country's biggest economic meltdown since the Great Depression.
New Contract Requirements in Louisiana
August 25, 2010
Recently, Louisiana enacted legislation to regulate automatic renewal clauses in contracts to provide that any contract that automatically renews if the consumer fails to cancel it must disclose the automatic renewal clause clearly and conspicuously and include clear and conspicuous language describing how to cancel the contract.
