Random House Suit Brings Renewed Push For 'E-Book' Rights in Older Contracts
March 30, 2012
The e-book format continues to be a growing force in book publishing. Worldwide sales are predicted to reach nearly $10 billion by 2016 ' compared to $3.2 billion in 2011. Current publishing agreements offered by book publishers unambiguously transfer electronic rights as well as print rights. But whether licenses granted by authors in older book publishing agreements can be construed to embrace this new technology is a major question for the industry. The answer will determine whether traditional publishers, or authors and the digital startups that some of them now choose to license to, will control e-book publishing of lucrative classic titles. This
Fair Use Analysis Before Takedown Notice Is Asked for By Another Federal District
March 30, 2012
In 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California startled copyright owners in ruling that, to comply with the "good faith" requirement the DMCA, content proprietors must conduct a fair-use copyright analysis of unlicensed online uses of their works prior to sending a takedown notice. Now a federal magistrate for the U.S. District Court for the District Montana has adopted the <i>Lenz</i> fair use rule.
Online Gaming in New Jersey Remains a Crapshoot
March 30, 2012
A recent opinion issued by the DOJ brought New Jersey residents a step closer to being able to participate in legal online gaming. But for the games to begin, the state legislature must pass a bill that Gov. Chris Christie believes satisfies state constitutional requirements.
New European Data Protection Regulation Draft
March 30, 2012
The proposal would unify EU data-protection regulations among member states. This change would allow closer cooperation among law-enforcement agencies and courts in EU member nations to protect data, safely share citizens' personal data only among authorized parties, and help police detect and catch personal-data privacy violators.
The America Invents Act
March 30, 2012
The law is, no question, significant ' even record-setting ' patent legislation. For proponents, the new law holds the promise of accomplishing two things, each of which is potentially profound, and each of which applies not only to traditional markets, but to e-commerce as well.
Franchising in China: New Rules, More Enforcement Coming
March 29, 2012
Franchising in China is still in a growth stage, and there are a number of abuses and complaints that are too common. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce released its plan for dealing with these issues and revised its two regulations.
