As patent law begins to transform in the 21st century we see more and more discussions about appropriate patent policy. While there are many discussions about the merits of patent awards themselves, there is also a debate about appropriate relief for patent infringement. One discussion centers on injunctive relief for patent infringement. A popular theory, the Lemley-Shapiro theoretical model of Read More
Dot Asia Domain Set to Launch
There will soon be a new TLD available for domain name shoppers. .asia will become available to any business or individual that would like to register a domain with a .asia extension. Before general registration is available, however, the DotAsia authority is implementing certain policies to prevent cybersquatters and others from getting first crack at certain domains. Known as “sunrise Read More
Protect America Act of 2007
Congress recently passed an expansion of the Wiretap Act entitled “Protect America Act of 2007.” The act intends to provide government agencies greater freedom to survey certain types of communications. The government receives more freedom in creating surveillance programs and is less likely to be subject to court review for surveillance programs. The key component of the new law is the definition Read More
Free Internet Proposed for Vacated Spectrum
Microsoft has joined the fray in the battle for new uses of spectrum scheduled to be vacated by analog television signals in 2009. Microsoft wants to use the vacated airwaves, known as white space, to provide free high speed internet access to people not on networks owned by wireless providers like Verizon, ATT and Sprint. TV-spectrum-based Internet service has the potential to be less expensive and more Read More
33 Percent of Teens Victims of Cyberbullying
A new survey on cyberbullying reports that about one third of teens have been victims of cyberbullying tactics such as receiving threatening messages, having private text messages or e-mails forwarded without consent or having rumors about them spread online. The survey also found that girls are more likely than boys to be targets. In addition, teens who share their identities and thoughts Read More
Abolishing Consumer Arbitration
Arbitration clauses in consumer, employment, and franchise agreements may soon be absolved in most cases. The US Congress is currently considering the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 (AFA), which declares that no arbitration agreement in place prior to an arising dispute shall be valid or enforceable if it arises under any statute intended to protect civil rights or other contracts between parties of Read More
New Suitors for usTLD
GoDaddy is making a push to take control of the “.us” top level domain (TLD). Along with Afilias, a provider of registry services, the two firms have teamed up to create a joint venture seeking to become the registry operator of usTLD. The firm’s intentions became known when the venture submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration Read More
Complaints About Overbroad Copyright Notices
Google and Microsoft are complaining to the FTC about, in their view, content providers’ overly broad copyright notices on content provided by entities such as the NFL, MLB, NBC Universal and more. The allegations of the complaint suggest that copyright holders are using “strong-arm” tactics to scare users into compliance. Copyright holders dismiss the complaint as an attempt to liberalize public sentiment Read More
Battle For Wireless Spectrum Part III
The FCC will rule on the upcoming auction of spectrum being vacated by air-borne television signals tomorrow. The guidelines for the auction are being carefully watched by numerous wireless providers, as well as some newcomers, such as Google, who has offered to spend billions of dollars on the spectrum, assuming that some of the spectrum is “open source” available to any wireless network Read More
Battle For Wireless Spectrum Part II
As recently discussed in the CyberLawg, wireless spectrum bidding is heating up. The FCC today announced its support for open bidding on a certain range of spectrum expected to fetch approximately $15 Billion, which will primarily benefit the federal government. The plan supported by a majority of FCC commissioners would include an open-access requirement that would give consumers more choices for wireless Read More
