For Whom The Bell Tolls: Corporate Data Security Breaches Affect All
October 03, 2005
Names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, and various types of financial information are among the most common casualties in a growing number of data security breaches at leading organizations across the country. It seems that every week, a new corporate data security breach involving the loss or disclosure of personal information is reported in the media. This is a phenomenon that does not discriminate: It touches all businesses, whether retailers, information brokers, financial institutions, universities, or healthcare companies. And thanks to a relatively recent California privacy law requiring that affected individuals be notified of the breach, the press eventually tolls the bell for all to hear. <br>With each revelation, calls have increased for government investigations and new state and federal legislation.
Web Sites Offer Useful Resources for Media Lawyers
October 03, 2005
Journalists in jail. Record-setting libel verdicts. Secret government documents. Closed-door meetings. The lawyers who represent the news media have had their hands full. But one item of good news for media lawyers is that several Web sites offer useful resources and support.
Cases of Note
October 03, 2005
Recent rulings of interest in Internet law. This month:<br>'Click Fraud' Suit Against Google Sent Back to State Court <br>Reverend Falwell Loses Infringement Web Site Claim <br>Mixed Ruling in Illinois-Based Spyware Class Action
Counsel Concerns
October 03, 2005
A Manhattan Supreme Court decided that a law firm that unsuccessfully defended singer Michael Bolton, his music publisher and record company in a copyright infringement suit may proceed with a contribution claim against Bolton's personal law firm arising from a malpractice suit by Bolton against the litigators.
International Film Production Incentives
October 03, 2005
Given the ever-increasing expense of filmmaking in the United States, and particularly in California, many filmmakers have looked for alternatives to the traditional Hollywood-based production. While this trend originally was for smaller-budget and independent films, more and more producers and large studios have sought alternate locations in which to film. While certain U.S. states like Hawaii, New Mexico and New York provide tax incentives and other ancillary location benefits, these states haven't generally been as successful in luring so called "runaway production" as have countries with incentives that may be available.
Bit Parts
October 03, 2005
Recent developments in entertainment law. <p>This month: <br>Actors/Moral Clauses<br>Copyright Infringement/Laches<br>Copyright Litigation/Effect of French Suit<br>Marketing-Promotion Consultants/Personal Jurisdiction<br>TV Program Licenses/Termination
Courthouse Steps
October 03, 2005
Recently filed cases in entertainment law, straight from the steps of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Ringtones Breed Tension Within Music Industry
October 03, 2005
Ringtones funneled $3.5 billion into music-industry coffers last year, and insiders say they may account for 25% of music sales by the end of 2006, thanks to millions of consumers paying $3 for 25-second versions of songs ' when a full-length version of a hit can be purchased for just 99 cents on a digital music store such as Apple Computer's iTunes. <br>Even more mind-boggling is the disarray this suddenly popular technology has caused, as lawyers for music publishers, record labels, performance-rights organizations, re-cording artists, ringtone vendors and others in the music industry struggle to determine how laws that govern the sales of its products apply to ringtones. Recording companies and publishers have always argued about money, and now they have intellectual-property ambiguities and a gigantic new revenue stream to fight over. Publishers, historically the industry's stepchild, may have the upper hand this time.
Cameo Clips
October 03, 2005
Recent cases in entertainment law.
