Novel Internet Statute Strategies
July 30, 2008
The Internet presents special regulatory challenges. Any effective statute, for instance, must be prepared by an entity with the authority to draft, implement and, to some extent enforce, the statute. Efficacy, of course, hinges on jurisdiction, but the Internet knows no geography and, so, users leap boundaries with a finger poke or thumb flick. These challenges require novel statutory strategies to meet the Internet's current and future status as a channel and communications domain that requires regulation at various levels of operation and use, including e-commerce.
Development
July 30, 2008
A look at recent rulings of importance.
Inadequate Discovery in Matrimonial Actions
June 30, 2008
With the advent of fee dispute arbitration, many litigants are quickly becoming more informed about their lawyers' responsibilities. This has led to significant court actions with regard to discharging attorneys 'for cause,' where the attorneys forfeit their fees. In the context of inadequate financial discovery, at least one court has already allowed a client to discharge an attorney for cause, despite the court's view that the attorney did not commit actionable malpractice.
In the Spotlight
June 26, 2008
During lease negotiations with an anchor or other national tenant, it is customary for the tenant to slap on a laundry list of prohibited or 'noxious' uses and to require the landlord to subject the shopping center to the restrictions contained therein. However, before the landlord concedes several other historically noxious uses, the owner of a modern-day lifestyle center or mixed-use center, particularly one still under development, should look carefully at these standard restrictions and consider softening the restrictions to allow certain types of uses which are finding their way into upscale and first-class shopping centers.
Bit Parts
June 26, 2008
Copyright Preemption/Unfair Competition<br>Music Publishing/Contract Interpretation<br>Rights in Band Names and Member Personas/Injunctive Relief<br>Song Copyrights/Fair Use
Malpractice Suit over The Source Comments Proceeds
June 26, 2008
A Manhattan federal magistrate judge ruled that a client may proceed with a legal-malpractice claim against a law firm for failing to bring defamation claims on behalf of the client in a highprofile sexual harassment and discrimination case against hip-hop magazine The Source.
Orphan Works Legislation: Real Time Bomb
June 26, 2008
The federal 'Orphan Works' legislation (S2913 and HR5889) creates an entirely new law favoring the 'opt in' fundamentalists who prefer as many copyright formalities as possible, thereby increasing the likelihood that works will fall ' intentionally or unintentionally ' into the public domain. Some have characterized the import of the Orphan Works legislation as creating a new rateless compulsory license, or at a minimum a 'safe harbor' for libraries (such as the Library of Congress), museums, public broadcasters and universities, as well as commercial entities.
A Production Lawyer's Guide to Obtaining E&O Insurance and Preventing Litigation
June 26, 2008
Errors-and-omissions insurance (also known as 'E&O' or producers liability insurance) is an inevitable part of every film and TV producer's life. It is required for the sale and distribution of virtually all film productions and television shows in North America ' and the requirement is becoming global. The goal of the article is to allow production counsel to spot the issues and to develop a sense of what is risky or not in the course of bringing a film or television production to fruition.
Net News
May 29, 2008
You Tube Suit Threatens Online Communication<br>Yahoo Files Suit Against Lottery Spammers
