Third Circuit Says Section 230 Doesn't Apply to Publicity Rights Claims--Hepp v. Facebook

Third Circuit Says Section 230 Doesn’t Apply to Publicity Rights Claims–Hepp v. Facebook

The Third Circuit ruled today that Section 230 doesn’t preempt publicity rights claims because they qualify as “intellectual property” claims. This ruling directly conflicts with the Ninth Circuit’s rule, which says that all state IP claims are preempted by Section…

Court Casts Doubt on the Legality of the Data Brokerage Industry--Brooks v. Thomson Reuters

Court Casts Doubt on the Legality of the Data Brokerage Industry–Brooks v. Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (TR) offers a database called “CLEAR” that assembles personal information into individual dossiers. The plaintiffs are Black civil rights activists leading a class action lawsuit for publicity rights and related claims. The court denies TR’s motion to dismiss–in…

Section 230 Doesn't Protect Yearbook Website's Ads--Knapke v. Classmates

Section 230 Doesn’t Protect Yearbook Website’s Ads–Knapke v. Classmates

Classmates offers paywalled access to yearbook info. Classmates allows free searches, and the “search results provide a free preview of the services and products with a photo and name of an individual to entice the user to purchase Classmates’ services…

Trump Defeats Lawsuit Over Manipulated Viral Video He Tweeted--Cisneros v. Cook

Trump Defeats Lawsuit Over Manipulated Viral Video He Tweeted–Cisneros v. Cook

This case relates to a joyous and heartwarming video you’ve probably seen, where two 2-year-old boys–one black, one white–run up to each other, give each other a big hug like they are long-lost friends, and then run down the sidewalk…

'365 for Business' Users' Privacy Lawsuit Dismissed--Russo v. Microsoft

‘365 for Business’ Users’ Privacy Lawsuit Dismissed–Russo v. Microsoft

Users of “Microsoft 365 For Business” allege oversharing by Microsoft, which translates into claims under (1) the Wiretap Act and the Stored Communications Act; (2) Washington’s Consumer Protection Act; (3) the Washington one-party consent phone statute; and (4) common law….

Should We Adopt a Notice-and-Takedown Scheme for Deepfakes and Other Inauthentic Media?

Prof. Christa Laser (Cleveland-Marshall) and I engaged in a point/counterpoint about legal mechanisms to address inauthentic recordings and photos, including AI-assisted forged videos (a/k/a “deepfakes”). She argued for a notice-and-takedown scheme in some circumstances, including those creating fake pornographic images….

Ohio Bans Competitive Keyword Advertising by Lawyers

Ohio Bans Competitive Keyword Advertising by Lawyers

No one: Absolutely no one: Ohio Board of Professional Conduct (in the third decade of the 21st century….): * * * I guess we’re doing this again. It’s 2021, long past the time consumers have come to understand competitive keyword…

New York’s New Post-Mortem Right of Publicity Law Comes Into Effect, Part 2 (Guest Blog Post)

by guest blogger Tyler Ochoa On May 29, 2021, New York’s new post-mortem right of publicity law came into effect.  The law is codified at N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 50-f.  It provides for a post-mortem right of publicity for a…

New York’s New Post-Mortem Right of Publicity Law Comes Into Effect, Part 1 (Guest Blog Post)

by guest blogger Tyler Ochoa On May 29, 2021, New York’s new post-mortem right of publicity law came into effect.  The law is codified at N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 50-f.  It provides for a post-mortem right of publicity for a…

Social Media Ownership Disputes Part II: Bridal Wear Company Takes Back Control of Instagram Account from Ex-Employee

Social Media Ownership Disputes Part II: Bridal Wear Company Takes Back Control of Instagram Account from Ex-Employee

This is Part II of a review of recent social media ownership disputes. In Part I, I looked at how the Satanic Temple of Washington could not use the CFAA or ACPA to get its Facebook accounts back. Part II…