Features
Patent Reform Bills Target Patent Trolls
On Sept. 16, 2011, the America Invents Act became effective, including provisions directed at non-practicing entities, commonly known as "patent trolls." Many believe, however, that patent trolls are still a plague, and that more must be done to curtail abusive patent litigation. This has led to the introduction of several patent reform bills.
Features
Treatment of Social Media Accounts In Bankruptcy
In today's digital marketplace, understanding how the law applies to virtual assets is becoming as important as understanding how it applies to the brick-and-mortar world. Despite the importance of the Internet to commerce, however, it is still unclear how important provisions of bankruptcy law apply to certain virtual assets.
Features
Sirius XM Fends Off Turtles' Recordings Suit in Florida
After several defeats, Sirius XM Radio won an important ruling in its ongoing legal battle with the '60s rock band The Turtles.
Features
Financing Accessions: A Real-World Analysis in Question and Answer Format
As many lenders and lessors have discovered, financing a unit that will be attached to equipment financed by another lender can be more challenging than it appears. Especially if the other item is a titled motor vehicle.
Features
Suit Against Bieber Next 'Blurred Lines' Case?
Pop star Justin Bieber should face the music ' or, more specifically, a jury ' on claims that his hit song "Somebody to Love" infringed on copyrighted material. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has revived the case, more than a year after Bieber's lawyers got the suit dismissed.
Columns & Departments
Cameo Clips
Law Firm's Suit Against Popovich Estate Is Dismissed<br>Dispute over Song Contest Must Go to Arbitration
Columns & Departments
Court Watch
GA Supreme Court Upholds Integration and Disclaimer Clauses to Prevent Fraud Claims <br>CT McDonald's Franchise Hit with LGBT Suit<br>Update on Twin Peaks
Features
Digital Ubiquity and the Fourth Amendment
Pick up pretty much any 21st century smart phone, tablet or PC, and in minutes, a treasure trove of information about its owner can be uncovered. Missives to a significant other, photos from summer vacation, browsing history that spans years; all of this information, generally considered of the most intimate nature, is easily accessible with even a rudimentary technical knowledge of the device's operating system. Needless to say, unwanted disclosure of such information can be highly damaging.
Features
No Direct Infringement Unless A 'Single Entity' Performs Each and Every Method Step
In <i>Akamai Technologies,</i> the Federal Circuit ruled that there is no direct infringement unless a "single entity" performs each and every step of the claimed method. Therefore, it found no direct infringement because Limelight and its customers were not part of a single entity and the customers were performing the missing step for their own benefit, not Limelight's.
Features
Apple's iPhone User Interface Held Functional for Trade Dress Infringement, But Not Design Patent Purposes
In the long-running <i>Apple v. Samsung</i> dispute, the Federal Circuit has highlighted a marked difference between the effectiveness of trade dress and design patents in protecting the visual characteristics of a product, which could potentially cost Apple hundreds of millions of dollars in lost damages.
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