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Case Notes
New York's Appellate Division, Second Department, has reversed a family court decision denying a father's objection to a magistrate's upward modification of his child support obligation.
New York Releases Updated Proposed Cybersecurity Regulation
Minimum standards proposed in September have been updated to provide more wiggle room for banks, financial institutions and insurance companies operating in New York.
PODCAST: Is 'Little Data' More of a Concern than Big Data?
In the first of a series, Jason Thomas, Chief of Innovation for Thomson Reuters Special Services, discusses the difference between big data and "little…
<b><i>BREAKING NEWS</b></i><br>Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Blockbuster Patent Venue Case
In a win for the tech industry, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Dec. 14 to hear a case that could move patent cases out of the Eastern District of Texas.
<b><i>BREAKING NEWS</b></i> <br> Chicago's Johnson & Bell First U.S. Firm Publicly Named in Data Security Class Action
In the first public data security class action complaint against a U.S. law firm, Chicago-based Johnson & Bell was named in a lawsuit that says the firm failed to protect confidential client information.
<b><i>Online Extra</b></i><br>Apple Loses to Samsung in Supreme Court Design Patent Case
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Samsung Electronics on Dec. 6 in its titanic patent dispute with Apple Inc. over design features copied from Apple iPhones.
Cyberinsurance Considerations for Law Firms
Law firms spend a lot of time and effort to protect their clients' interests, but often overlook routine protection and security of clients' (and their own) data. While not a cure-all for data security risks, one important component to consider in putting together a comprehensive data security program is cyber insurance, as most general liability policies and professional liability policies now expressly exclude coverage for data breach claims.
Why the DMCA Needs to Be Modernized
It has been 18 years since the DMCA was signed into law. It was created to balance the security and rights of copyright holders with the growing influence of digital communications. But today it is facing serious criticism about its usefulness from every key stakeholder — creators, distributors and consumers alike.
Recent Disputes over Copyright Licenses
This article discusses disputes involving the use of copyrighted works or intellectual property underlying that work, under a license, or in one case, under an implied license. The parties thereto are not nearly as well-known, but the legal conclusions reached may have farther reaching implications.
Estate Planning for the Digital Afterlife
As more Americans establish personal email accounts, social media accounts, and other electronic accounts, these “digital assets” are becoming an increasingly vital estate-planning consideration. The failure to consider how to dispose of digital assets in an individual's estate plan could result in later complexities following the individual's death.

MOST POPULAR STORIES

  • The 'Sophisticated Insured' Defense
    A majority of courts consider the <i>contra proferentem</i> doctrine to be a pillar of insurance law. The doctrine requires ambiguous terms in an insurance policy to be construed against the insurer and in favor of coverage for the insured. A prominent rationale behind the doctrine is that insurance policies are usually standard-form contracts drafted entirely by insurers.
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  • Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric Code
    In an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.
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