Cyberlaw

Web Wrap Agreements

There is an important recent decision upholding web-wrap agreements. Register.com v. Verio http://www.icann.org/registrars/register.com-verio/decision-23jan04.pdf.

In that case, one of the three appeal judges died while writing the decision. (He was dissenting). This case has special circumstances -- repeated use of website and bad conduct -- so even though it is from an important court, I am not sure if it will be followed in all circumstances.

More on the Yahoo Nazi paraphernalia case

For another aspect of the French Yahoo case involving auctions of Nazi paraphernalia that were once held on Yahoo's web site, referred to in this blog on 29 March, click here. The article discusses the finding of a Paris appeals court to uphold a decision to throw out accusations by French human rights activists who said that Yahoo should be held legally responsible for the auctions.

Regulation of political blogs?

Here is an interesting article on the Federal Election Commission in the United States considering whether to regulate political blogging.

What do you think?

Yahoo Japan sued in class action

YAHOO Japan has been sued by customers for scams on its site in the nation's first class-action suit seeking compensation from an online auction broker.

A total of 572 people across Japan paid via Yahoo for auctioned items such as liquid-crystal televisions and digital cameras but did not receive the goods, said Noboru Mizuno, who leads the group.

To read more, click here.

Google in the news

Here are some recent articles involving Google:

And check out Google Gulp.

Links for session on Content Regulation

In this evening's class on Content Regulation, reference will be made to the following sites:

Is Amazon becoming Big Brother?

From the Associated Press:

"Amazon.com Inc. has one potentially big advantage over its rival online retailers: It knows things about you that you may not know yourself.

"Though plenty of companies have detailed systems for tracking customer habits, critics and boosters alike say Amazon is the trailblazer, having collected information longer and used it more proactively. It even received a patent recently on technology aimed at tracking information about the people for whom its customers buy gifts."

Read more here.

Should we be concerned about our privacy? Or is it making online shopping more convenient? What does Amazon's Privacy Policy say?

Consumer Watchdogs Join Forces to Hunt Down Cyberscams

Consumer protection agencies from around the world have joined forces in an international assault on scams in cyberspace. Australian consumers can report scams by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502, filling out a complaints form at the ACCC's slam-a-cyberscam webpage or registering an overseas scam at www.econsumer.gov.

To read more, click here.

Do you think it this sort of attempt will work? What issues/problems could arise?

US Supreme Court hears MGM Studios v. Grokster

On Tuesday the US Supreme Court heard oral argument in MGM Studios v Grokster, a case that has previously been mentioned on this blog.

Read about the case at CNN Money or at Findlaw. Fore more background information about the case including a list of some of the strange alliances that have developed between organizations wanting to either save or kill Groskster, click here.

If you are interested, the briefs (detailed written submissions) filed before the Supreme Court are available here.

What do you think of the argument that these sorts of lawsuits might have discouraged past inventions like copy machines, videocassette recorders and iPod portable music players - all of which can be used to make illegal duplications of copyrighted documents, movies and songs?

Web censorship case

Lawyers for Yahoo Inc. have asked a federal appeals court for legal protection for U.S.-based Internet portals whose content is protected by the First Amendment in the United States, but is illegal in foreign countries.

Read more here.

Should Yahoo be protected by the First Amendment?