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False Advertising Stinks!

Submitted by Jordan A. Arnot on February 21, 2012 - 12:58

A January 4, 2012 decision in the Southern District of New York demonstrates the importance of substantiating all claims made in advertising (regardless of forum: print, TV or product packaging itself). 

Church & Dwight, manufacturer of Arm & Hammer brand Super Scoop cat litter made with baking soda, brought a false advertising suit challenging its competitor Clorox’s TV commercials promoting Fresh Step cat litter made with carbon.

Illinois Appellate Court Sets Standard for Protection of Anonymous Speech

Submitted by Dale R. Kurth on January 26, 2012 - 12:20

An Illinois appellate court has denied a local political candidate’s bid to uncover the anonymous author of internet comments that she claimed denigrated her minor son. The case has wide impact for online privacy under Illinois law.

Search Engine Optimization: Google’s Rules Can Catch Anyone by Surprise… Even Google

Submitted by Jordan A. Arnot on January 17, 2012 - 15:50

Google’s Chrome isn’t showing up in Google search results for “Internet browser” or “web browser” but the company isn’t complaining. 

Wikipedia Threatens Blackout to Protest Anti-Piracy Legislation Pending in Congress on Wednesday

Submitted by Jordan A. Arnot on January 16, 2012 - 19:00

Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales has announced that the company is considering a number of means to protest anti-piracy legislation pending in Congress – one of which is a 24-hour blackout of its website on Wednesday.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT Intellectual Property Act) have been proposed as a means to attack sales of pirated U.S. products overseas; however, critics fear this legislation would not only hurt the technology industry but infringe on free-speech rights.

THIS JUST IN!!!! Everyone’s 15 Minutes of Fame has been Extended – Fraley v. Facebook Review

Submitted by Colin T.J. OBrien on January 11, 2012 - 10:52

Andy Warhol said “In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes.” But in a recent California case, Facebook argued and Judge Koh of the Northern District of California agreed that “individuals are local celebrities within their own Facebook social networks.” The case, Fraley et al v.

Redefining Santorum: The Republican Candidate’s Options to Rebrand his Internet Identity

Submitted by Jordan A. Arnot on January 9, 2012 - 19:16

In a 2003 interview with an AP reporter, then-Senator Rick Santorum made controversial comments about homosexuality.  Without repeating the statements, suffice it to say that Santorum’s comments angered many, so much so that advice-columnist Dan Savage and his readers were inspired to action.  

Mark Partridge’s Book “Trademark and Copyright Litigation” Favorably Reviewed

Submitted by Partridge IP on January 6, 2012 - 13:20

A recent post on the IPKat intellectual property blog reviewed Mark V.B. Partridge’s book “Trademark and Copyright Litigation: Forms and Analysis--Volume 1: Cease-and-Desist Demands through Electronic Discovery.”

Mark Partridge Quoted in CNN Article on Social Media Law and Employee Twitter Account Ownership

Submitted by Partridge IP on January 3, 2012 - 18:06

A recent CNN Article entitled “Experts: Twitter account case may blaze new trails in social media law” quotes Mark V.B. Partridge.  The article discusses a pending lawsuit in the Northern District of California regarding whether a Twitter account belongs to a company or its former employee.

Costco & Omega – at it again!

Submitted by Jessica Godell on December 23, 2011 - 13:25

You may remember last year’s highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court copyright law case, Costco v. Omega. The case, which dealt with the first sale doctrine and importing copyrighted works led to a famously short Supreme Court opinion, which affirmed the Ninth Circuit decision in favor of Omega.

Graffiti and the Law of Copyright – Framed by Jennifer Lopez’s Fiat Commercial

Submitted by Jordan A. Arnot on December 20, 2011 - 15:35

In an effort to promote its 500 Cabrio, Chrysler’s Fiat subsidiary aired a commercial featuring Jennifer Lopez driving around her hometown in the vehicle. 

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