Another SESTA Linkwrap (Week of October 30)
I doubt I’ll do weekly updates on SESTA, but I had enough new developments since last week’s linkwrap to do another. * On Friday, Communications Daily (in “Thune Sees Broadband Infrastructure as Top Senate Commerce Telecom Priority for Rest of 2017”) reported…
Association Isn’t Liable for Its Members’ Message Board Postings–Inge v. Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association
[It’s impossible to blog about Section 230 without reminding you that it remains highly imperiled.] Political turmoil can emerge in any community. This case involves a contested election for the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association’s board. Unsuccessful candidate Inge claimed the organization’s leadership…
Is Wikileaks Protected by Section 230? The Trump Campaign Thinks So
[It’s impossible to blog about Section 230 without reminding you that it remains highly imperiled.] In Cockrum v. Donald J. Trump for President (see the amended complaint), the Trump campaign is being sued for allegedly colluding with Wikileaks and the Russians…
Another Court Rejects ‘Material Support To Terrorists’ Claims Against Social Media Sites–Gonzalez v. Google
[It’s impossible to blog about Section 230 without reminding you that it remains highly imperiled.] Numerous lawsuits have been filed claiming social media services “materially support” terrorists because terrorist groups disseminate their content via the services. 1-800-LAW-FIRM (I kid you not) is behind…
Recent SESTA Developments (A Linkwrap)
Publicly, it’s been a little quiet on the SESTA/Wagner bill front since the House hearing in early October. However, activity is taking place behind the scenes. Proponents keep adding cosponsors: now 35 in the Senate and over 160 in the House. Also, backroom discussions are…
Call for Projects/Papers/Participation for 8th Annual Internet Law Works-in-Progress Conference, NYLS, March 24, 2018
Eighth Annual Internet Law Works-in-Progress, March 24, 2018, at New York Law School Colleagues: It is my honor to invite you to participate in the Eighth Annual Internet Law Works-in-Progress Conference at New York Law School on March 24, 2018. This conference series,…
First Circuit Rejects Copyright Workaround to Section 230–Small Justice v. Ripoff Report
[It’s impossible to blog about Section 230 without reminding you that it remains highly imperiled.] Goren runs a law firm, Small Justice. DuPont, a defendant in a case Goren brought, posted two negative reviews about Goren to Ripoff Report. Goren sued DuPont, who…
Conference Announcement: “Content Moderation & Removal at Scale,” SCU, Feb. 2
I’m pleased to announce “Content Moderation & Removal at Scale,” a conference we’ll be holding on campus on February 2, 2018. I anticipate a full house, so we’ve set a registration cap. When we reach the cap, we will put…
Hyperlinking to Sources Can Help Defeat Defamation Claims–Adelson v. Harris
An activist group posted an online petition urging then-Presidential candidate Mitt Romney to reject Nevada billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s campaign contribution. The petition linked to an AP story, which in turn linked to a court filing alleging that Adelson OKed his hotel empire…
App Listening For Audio Beacons May Be Illegal Wiretapping–Rackemann v. Colts
This is a lawsuit against the Colts and app developers, alleging that the Colts’ app activates a device’s microphone and temporarily records portions of audio, for advertising purposes. The app monitors the audio for “beacon tones” which are then used…