Court Dismisses Discrimination Claims from Facebook User Who Didn't Get Wanted (?) Ads--Shah v. Woodbury

Shah alleges that “Woodbury and Facebook denied Shah, based on his age and gender, access to information about Woodbury’s educational services by choosing to make Woodbury’s advertisements on Facebook available only to a target demographic of female Facebook users between…

Using a Meme in Your Advertising? Clear the Publicity Rights--FJerry v. Oasis Energy

This case involves a photo from the “Dude With Sign” meme series, featuring Seth Phillips in the titular role: An advertiser, Oasis Energy, modified the meme to promote its offerings in two social media posts: FJerry owns both the copyright…

Another Facebook Account Termination, Another Failed Lawsuit--Karam v. Meta

This is a pro se case. The court summarizes: “Meta purportedly banned or restricted [Karam’s] Facebook account, which allegedly prevented him from advertising his business or from engaging with potential customers through Marketplace or Facebook’s Buy/Sell Groups.” The court dismisses…

Copyright Claims Over Content Syndication Sniping Can Proceed--Next Impulse v. NewsBreak

Comeback Media operates several media properties, including a sports site named “Next Impulse.” It publishes new articles and syndicates them to other websites, including Newsbreak. The syndication was a “non-contractual relationship” that generated $250k/month. [What is a “non-contractual relationship”? Sounds…

SAD Scheme Cases Are a Cesspool of IP Owner Overreaches--Nike v. Quanzhou Yiyi Shoe Industry

As part of their overall proclivity towards rights accretion, IP owners routinely stretch legal doctrines and request overreaching remedies. When IP owners proceed in court without opposition, they sometimes get away with those overreaches. But when a judge calls out…

Copyright Takedown Notices May Be Affecting Your Washing Machine Options--Ningbo Yituo v. GoPlus

The litigants are rival washing machine makers–GoPlus and Ningbo Yituo–who source their products from the same OEM, Ningbo Baike Electric Appliance. As a result, “the body patterns of Plaintiffs’ and Defendant’s washing machines are identical due to the shared use…

Section 230 Applies to Scammy Ads--Glazer v. Facebook

The plaintiff is octogenarian Barry Glazer, an attorney who has a fascinating history of running TV ads and who sells merch at his website that includes his tagline “Don’t urinate on my leg and tell me it’s raining.” [Note: If…

Section 230 Preempts Predator Access Claims Against Apple, Snap, and Verizon--Joan Doe v. Snap

This blog post addresses a specific genre of Section 230 litigation that I call “predator access” cases. The cases involve a victim with an online profile who connects with a criminal who commits sexual abuse. The victim is often underage,…

Online TOS Formation Cases Make My Head Hurt

Coverage of two TOS formation cases that hit my alerts this week. Walsh v. Dollar Tree Store, Inc., 2025 WL 2939229 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 16, 2025) Dollar Tree required all website visitors to navigate through an interstitial cookie wall before…

If You Could Cast a Spell to Create a New Law School Course, What Would You Create?

I have completed an epic academic administration quest. 🧙‍♂️🎲 I’m proud to be at an institution where it’s possible to create a course like this, and I’m excited for the students who will benefit from taking this course. The official…