06.16.2012]blodic.us

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More Details Emerge On Key Legal Fight Over DMCA Abuse

We recently wrote about a key legal fight over DMCA abuse and whether or not you can expect punishment for bogus DMCA takedowns under 512(f).

NYC Says Renting Out Your Place Via Airbnb Is Running An Illegal Hotel

We've seen this over and over again: new and innovative startups enter a market in a creative and compelling way, and a combination of incumbents and regulators get in the way of something cool happening.

Angry Judge Tells Prenda To Stop Falsifying Alan Cooper's Signature; Calls It Fraud

Looks like Prenda continues to have problems in court. In the lawsuit in Minnesota that Alan Cooper brought against Prenda and John Steele for fraudulent use of his name, it appears that Judge Ann Alton made fairly quick work of getting the whole thing off of her docket.

Bad Day For Prenda Continues: Judge Rejects Stay, Adds $1k Per Day For Each Day They Don't Pay Up

Further, Steele, Hansmeier, Duffy, Gibbs, AF Holdings, Ingenuity 13, and
Prenda are hereby ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why they have contravened the
Court’s order to pay the attorney’s-fee award.

If You Think You Should Actually Own Products You Bought, Now Would Be A Good Time To Call Congress

We recently wrote about a bill being introduced in Congress that would help fix the DMCA by making a very minor, but important, set of changes to the anti-circumvention clauses of the DMCA.

Makers Of Nutella Force Fan Who Created World Nutella Day To Shut It Down

Ferrero, the makers of Nutella, a hazelnut/chocolate spread that enjoys a love from people that I'll never understand (disclaimer: I hate chocolate), sure doesn't like anyone to use anything remotely like its name ever.

Kitchen Nightmares Lawyers Threaten Infamous Samy And Amy If They Talk About Their Experience On The Show

Last week we wrote about the crazy mess that followed the recent episode of the show Kitchen Nightmares on Fox, in which the star of the show, Gordon Ramsay, actually walked away from Amy's Baking Company, after the owners, Samy and Amy Bouzaglo, didn't take well to any criticism.

If You're Going To Illegally Seize Citizens' Cell Phones, At Least Make Sure You're Grabbing The Right Ones

When cops behave badly, many suddenly develop an acute case of unconstitutional stage fright, often resulting in the immediate confiscation of any cameras/cell phones in the vicinity.

Retired Lt. Col.: Violent Media Has Bred A Generation Of Killers

I can understand why someone who watches the news on a daily basis might shake their head in dismay. I get how it must feel necessary to put the blame for tragedies like Sandy Hook somewhere, anywhere, even if the eventual target of ire is misplaced.

Why Even Good Hospitals And Doctors Are An Obstacle To Better, Cheaper Healthcare

As we noted in the context of antibiotics, it's well recognized that financial incentives cause the pharmaceutical industry to engage in research that tends to maximize profits rather than maximizing the health of the public.