Jan.-Feb. 2011 Quick Links, Part 2
By Eric Goldman Search Engines Google’s search algorithm has been very much in the news the past 2 months! * Google’s announcements: – “Google search and search engine spam” – Matt Cutts explains Google penalties in a video. – “Microsoft’s…
Business Sues Facebook to Restore Its Fan Page–Complexions v. Complexions Day Spa
By Eric Goldman Complexions Inc. v. Complexions Day Spa and Wellness Center, Inc., 1:11-cv-00197-GLS -DRH (NDNY complaint filed Feb. 18, 2011) The primary litigants are two identically named but geographically separated day spas. It appears they are colliding online. This…
Savvy Louisiana Ruling on Metatags–Southern Snow v. Snowizard
By Eric Goldman Southern Snow Mfg. Inc. v. Sno Wizards Holdings, Inc., 2011 WL 601639 (E.D. La. Feb. 16, 2011) Have I ever mentioned how much I hate metatags cases? They have led to some godawful rulings. But surprisingly, today’s…
Jan.-Feb. 2011 Quick Links, Part 1 (Copyright Edition)
By Eric Goldman * I could do a whole separate category just for Righthaven: – Righthaven LLC v. South Coast Partners, Inc., 2011 WL 534046 (D. Nev. Feb. 8, 2011) held that another Righthaven defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction…
Florida Court Fixes Erroneous 47 USC 230 Ruling–Giordano v. Romeo
By Eric Goldman Giordano v. Romeo, 09-68539 CA 25 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Feb. 18, 2011) I previously blogged about this case last month. Romeo posted a report to the Ripoff Report but, after being sued, later asked to have it…
Google Suffers Surprising Preliminary Loss in Keyword Advertising Case–Jurin v. Google
By Eric Goldman Jurin v. Google, 2011 WL 572300 (E.D Cal. Feb. 15, 2011) A surprising ruling! You may recall Jurin, trademark owner of the term “styrotrim.” He sued Google in summer 2009, but quickly dismissed the lawsuit after he…
Quirky 47 USC 230 Case Still Results in Defense Win–Coppage v. U-Haul
By Eric Goldman Coppage v. U-Haul International, Inc., 2011 WL 519227 (SDNY Feb. 15, 2011) The facts are garbled, but the plaintiff rented a vehicle from U-Haul and apparently suffered an injury he attributes to the vehicle. He also names…
eBay’s Venue Selection Clause Upheld in Missouri–Earll v. eBay
By Eric Goldman Earll v. eBay, 2011 WL 497781 (W.D. Mo. Jan. 4, 2011). The initial complaint. Earll, who is deaf, sued eBay for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the CA state law analogue. Her complaint…
Ripoff Report Gets Another 47 USC 230 Dismissal–Herman v. Xcentric
By Eric Goldman Herman v. Xcentric Ventures, LLC, 1:10-cv-00398-CAP (N.D. Ga. Feb. 14, 2011) This is a run-of-the-mill lawsuit against the Ripoff Report by an unhappy vendor. Herman is a lawyer (once again, the dreaded lawyer-as-plaintiff) unhappy with a posted…
Microsoft Adopts Google-Style Trademark Policy for Keyword Advertising
By Eric Goldman I have gotten several emails relaying this announcement from Microsoft: We are writing to alert you to some pending changes to the trademark policy within the Microsoft Advertising adCenter Intellectual Property Guidelines. Starting March 3, 2011, adCenter…