Following from libel proof individuals to the realm of Twitter, and the “Wild-West” approach towards online statements, comes an interesting idea. It is given that most people will communicate anonymously on the web. So, if a person is a victim of libel, then how can he/she recover? The online service…
Internet Lawyer Blog
The Libel-Proof Theory and Its Real-World Application
On the Internet, individuals can go out and make attempts to rib each other, or to mock certain celebrities or infamous individuals. This opens the realm of libel and slander laws to expand towards online activities. Yet, depending on the person’s history, defamation may be borderline impossible. If defamation is…
Reverse Engineering: Fair Use and Other Rights
Among the rights people have, many are unknown or unsung until there is a dispute and the courts get involved in the process. Rarely recognized is the right to reverse engineer under the Fair Use Doctrine and Digital Millennium Copyright Act. However, this is not an absolute right. Rather, it…
How Does The First Amendment Apply To Online Speech?
This month, we’re looking at various constitutional issues and tangential actions. Of these, there’s a recent hot-button issue regarding the purpose of “freedom of speech” online. From fake news to political speech on websites, the notion of “what is allowed” and “what should be allowed” is still raised by people.…
Digital Assistants
As we close out the year and enjoy the new technology from the holiday season, one piece of technology stands out as a forerunner. It is something that we’ve dreamed and written about to the point it is a staple in science fiction. An artificial intelligence that anticipates and responds…
Wearable Devices: Privacy and Security
Wearable devices become more popular as the holiday season approaches. Among various new technologies, there’s a focus on the idea of wearable devices, which include items like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other electronic accessories that can help make life easier. However, with that comes the risk of privacy and security.…
Technology and Patent Lawsuits
For the uninitiated, motion sensors work on either the idea of cameras capturing motions, infrared light waves, or gyroscopes. Yet, even with this simple trio, this subject has led to a large scale of lawsuits based on patent violations. There are two major lawsuits to look at, one in the…
Augmented Reality v. Virtual Reality
In general, December is the month that yields a high volume of consumer activity, and the purchase of new technology devices. One of these is Virtual Reality (“VR”) technology, slowly trickling down from a niche market. However, it is not the only new reality-altering technology coming into the market, as…
Lenz v. Universal
In continuing our comments regarding copyrights online, we are on to fair use and liability for litigation. A dancing baby has created one of the most obscure and interesting cases for the year. The ramifications of this lawsuit could further impact the way that some copyright disputes could play out,…
Expanding Copyright’s Lifespan
Copyright is a legal right that keeps intellectual property safe, and allows individuals to profit from their efforts. Yet, these copyrighted works will at some point head over to the public domain after their expiration, which means they are not protected anymore. What if it did not expire? In fact,…