Music Site Ruled Not 'Interactive' Enough
September 29, 2009
A Webcasting service that provides users with individualized Internet radio stations is not required to pay licensing fees to copyright holders of the songs the service plays, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Immunity for Web Site Owners
September 29, 2009
Web sites, social networks and other interactive service providers facilitate the display and exchange of a staggering amount of user-generated information, much of it idle chatter, meaningful commentary and helpful information, though some of it defamatory and offensive speech. Without certain protections, a site owner could face liability, and such a threat conceivably would have a chilling effect on the vibrant exchange of ideas on the Web.
The PPC Trademark Battle Continues
September 29, 2009
The Second Circuit's recent decision in <i>Rescuecom Corp. v. Google, Inc.</i> is but one more step in a long-standing battle that's likely to continue for some time; it's been five years already, and the court merely ruled on a technicality that allows the case to run longer still. Most Google users and advertisers are blissfully unaware of what's going on, and even many involved in Internet commerce don't understand the implications.
Third Circuit Upholds Online Gambling Ban
September 29, 2009
Internet gambling proponents suffered a major setback when a federal appeals court refused to strike down a 2006 law in which Congress banned all Internet gambling transactions that would be illegal in the gambler's state.
Strategies for Maximizing Campaigns for Movie Merchandise
September 29, 2009
The billions of dollars in movie merchandising profits reflect the incredible value of intellectual property. If a film is, for example, adapted from a book, or ' more commonly for merchandising in recent years ' a comic book or graphic novel, a movie studio must first obtain rights, either through assignment or more commonly licensing, from the literary work's author or owner. However, that does not mean the studio can begin production of action figures the next day.
Law Firm Intelligence: Working on a Shoestring
September 29, 2009
Despite the economy, researchers and analysts must remain on top of new developments in the field so that our firms remain competitive. Luckily, there are many excellent, free or low cost professional development opportunities available. You just have to know where to look.
The Virtual Museum
September 29, 2009
In the movie <i>Field of Dreams</i>, a mysterious voice assures the protagonist, a down-on-his-luck city-boy-turned-farmer named Ray played by Kevin Costner, that "if you build it, they will come." Today, however, in an age of instant, digital entertainment, curators of museums and historical sites must also wonder if anyone "will come" to their static displays to visit and donate ' and what will happen if they don't.
Recommendation Marketing Through Evolving Social Media Channels
September 29, 2009
In one of its more insidious forms, recommendation marketing can involve a marketer paying Internet users to post disingenuous positive product reviews at online retailers' sites, also called astroturfing, in which advertisers or their agents pretend to be unaffiliated consumers, and spread misleading or false information to advance the advertiser's objectives.
Judges, Juries and Outside Research
September 29, 2009
What information should be used to decide a case ' only that offered by the opposing sides? If independent legal research is permissible, just how much is too much? These questions, which are being asked in the realms of medical malpractice, criminal and other types of cases, have become more imperative in the last few years.
