Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Legal Minefields In Using Twitter For Promotions

By Jesse M. Brody and Suemyra A. Shah
November 30, 2014

In today's digital era where consumers rely heavily on social media for news and entertainment, it has become increasingly common for entertainment companies to join the conversation on popular platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Whether through live tweeting to followers during a nationally televised sporting event or awards show, hosting a “Twitter Party” led by bloggers and influencers, or simply maintaining a brand presence as an advertising channel, marketers have found that authentic and meaningful engagement with consumers on Twitter can have a lasting impact.

While numerous companies now maintain an active presence on Twitter, the extent to which brands can lawfully interact with other Twitter users for advertising and similar commercial purposes is still not yet clearly defined and, consequently, the legal risk associated with each tweet is not always properly weighed before a promotional social media campaign is launched. It is tempting to assume that, because a tweet is so fleeting, it is unnecessary to jump through the typical legal hoops to clear the content before it is posted on Twitter.

But what appears to be a harmless, transitory post may later give rise to a legal headache. Thus, it is imperative that counsel properly educate and closely work with their clients, and in-house counsel with their brand marketing teams, on developing a Twitter content clearance, risk minimization strategy in order to reduce the risk of a costly lawsuit as well as the negative publicity that can result from a social media strategy gone awry.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.