Internet Law Syllabus and Reader for Fall 2010
By Eric Goldman I have posted my syllabus for this semester’s Internet Law course, my 16th year teaching the course. This blog post describes some of the latest developments with the class, including the changes from my 2009 course reader….
Yet Another TM Owner Gives Up Against Google–Ezzo v. Google
By Eric Goldman Jamil Ezzo has apparently given up his lawsuit against Google over AdWords. The dismissal. This was a silly lawsuit that never should have been brought (it was over the purported trademark “Locate Plastic Surgeon” for gosh sakes),…
Private Facebook Group’s Conversations Aren’t Defamatory–Finkel v. Dauber
By Eric Goldman Finkel v. Dauber, 2010 WL 2872874 (NY Sup. Ct. July 22, 2010) I previously blogged about this case last year. The case involves a private Facebook group comprised of 6 high school students apparently mocking and criticizing…
Facebook’s Anti-Spam Filter Blocks Legitimate Conversations about Power.com
By Eric Goldman On Friday, Venkat and I posted about the latest ruling in Facebook v. Power.com. After Venkat or I make a blog post, I typically post the blog headline and URL to Twitter. I have enabled the app…
Book Review: Building Web Reputation Systems by Farmer & Glass
By Eric Goldman Building Web Reputation Systems by F. Randall Farmer & Bryce Glass (O’Reilly 2010) [affiliate link] As you may know, for the past couple of years, I have been researching how we regulate reputation systems. My most recent…
Online Video Publisher Learns Why You Should Register Your Copyrights Early–LTVN v. Odeh
By Eric Goldman LTVN Holdings, LLC v. Odeh, 2010 WL 2612690 (D.Md. June 25, 2010). The 2009 ruling on jurisdiction in this case. Kramer is a litigator. He formed an organization that publishes educational videos about legal topics and provides…
eBay Venue Selection Clause Upheld in Texas
By Eric Goldman In re eBay, Inc., 2010 WL 2695803 (Tex. App. Ct. July 8, 2010) In Comb v. PayPal, 218 F. Supp. 2d 1165 (N.D. Cal. 2002), PayPal defended a putative class action by invoking the arbitration clause in…
Funky Ninth Circuit Opinion on Domain Names and Nominative Use–Toyota v. Tabari
By Eric Goldman Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. v. Tabari, 2010 WL 2680891 (9th Cir. July 8, 2010) Every time I see a federal appellate opinion on domain names, I’m vaguely reminded of the Country Joe song I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag, whose…
Copyright Statutory Damages Award Violates Constitutional Due Process–Sony v. Tenenbaum
By Eric Goldman Sony BMG Music Entertainment v. Tenenbaum, 2010 WL 2705499 (D. Mass. July 9, 2010) I have largely skipped blogging the Sony v. Tenenbaum lawsuit because (1) it was well-discussed elsewhere, and (2) for the most part, it…
Q2 2010 Quick Links Part 3 (Special Facebook Edition)
By Eric Goldman It’s been an exciting quarter for Facebook, which earned its own special quick links edition. I’ve also been prompted to take a step back and reassess my relationship with Facebook. From about 2007 through 2009, I really…