Internet Legal Issues
Information from About Guides and partners relating to Internet Legal Issues
Cybercrime Treaty Gains Interest
(News) Twice as many countries may sign onto the cooperative legal agreement this year, proponents say.
(News) Twice as many countries may sign onto the cooperative legal agreement this year, proponents say.
Comcast, BitTorrent to work together on network management
(News) Comcast, under fire for slowing some BitTorrent traffic, will work with the P-to-P (peer-to-peer) vendor to come up with better ways to address media downloads and network management, the companies announced Thursday.
(News) Comcast, under fire for slowing some BitTorrent traffic, will work with the P-to-P (peer-to-peer) vendor to come up with better ways to address media downloads and network management, the companies announced Thursday.
EU probes US online gaming enforcement
(News) The European Commission has agreed to look into a complaint filed with it last year by a London gambling trade group that claims the U.S. is unfairly discriminating against European online gambling companies.
(News) The European Commission has agreed to look into a complaint filed with it last year by a London gambling trade group that claims the U.S. is unfairly discriminating against European online gambling companies.
Civil rights groups: FCC should allow network management
(News) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should allow broadband providers to manage their networks and slow "bandwidth hogs," despite concerns that such practices arbitrarily target some customers, said a coalition of seven civil rights groups.
(News) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should allow broadband providers to manage their networks and slow "bandwidth hogs," despite concerns that such practices arbitrarily target some customers, said a coalition of seven civil rights groups.
FCC Hearing Weighs Net Neutrality
(News) An overflow crowd attends the FCC's hearing at Harvard on net neutrality, the idea that network providers shouldn't discriminate against Web sites or various types of traffic.
(News) An overflow crowd attends the FCC's hearing at Harvard on net neutrality, the idea that network providers shouldn't discriminate against Web sites or various types of traffic.
Court Bans Whistle-Blower Site
(News) A California court has shut down the U.S. version of Wikileaks.org, where whistle-blowers anonymously post documents.
(News) A California court has shut down the U.S. version of Wikileaks.org, where whistle-blowers anonymously post documents.
How much to stop domain tasters? ICANN thinks US$0.20
(News) A proposal by the overseer of the Internet's addressing system could make it a lot easier for people to reserve the domain name they want for their Web site.
(News) A proposal by the overseer of the Internet's addressing system could make it a lot easier for people to reserve the domain name they want for their Web site.
Groups praise FCC's inquiries on net neutrality
(News) Two public-interest groups praised the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for opening three inquiries into network traffic management practices by broadband providers and mobile phone carriers.
(News) Two public-interest groups praised the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for opening three inquiries into network traffic management practices by broadband providers and mobile phone carriers.
Saudi blogger arrested, held without charges
(News) A Saudi blogger whose writings were critical of religious extremism has reportedly been detained by Saudi Arabian officials, according to advocacy groups.
(News) A Saudi blogger whose writings were critical of religious extremism has reportedly been detained by Saudi Arabian officials, according to advocacy groups.
Video distributor wants FCC to stop ISP traffic 'throttling'
(News) A distributor of online video content has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, asking the agency to stop broadband providers from blocking or slowing P-to-P traffic.
(News) A distributor of online video content has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, asking the agency to stop broadband providers from blocking or slowing P-to-P traffic.
Washington AG goes after search engine fixer, again
(News) The Washington State Attorney General's Office is back in court, trying again to get a company that sells search engine ranking services to change its business practices.
(News) The Washington State Attorney General's Office is back in court, trying again to get a company that sells search engine ranking services to change its business practices.
YouTube Sued by Indian Music Label
(News) An Indian music label has filed a suit against Google and its video sharing site YouTube after the display on YouTube of content on which the Indian company says it holds copyright.
(News) An Indian music label has filed a suit against Google and its video sharing site YouTube after the display on YouTube of content on which the Indian company says it holds copyright.
ICANN appoints successor to Vint Cerf
(News) ICANN sought to allay fears that come with leadership change as it announced a new chairman for the group, replacing the charismatic Vint Cerf.
(News) ICANN sought to allay fears that come with leadership change as it announced a new chairman for the group, replacing the charismatic Vint Cerf.
7-year Internet tax ban heads to president
(News) The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a seven-year extension to an Internet tax ban, the final step before the legislation heads to President George Bush to be signed into law.
(News) The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a seven-year extension to an Internet tax ban, the final step before the legislation heads to President George Bush to be signed into law.
EFF sues to uncover alleged telco lobbying
(News) The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) believes telecommunications carriers are pushing for an amnesty to protect them from lawsuits over alleged illegal wiretapping, and it is suing for the evidence.
(News) The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) believes telecommunications carriers are pushing for an amnesty to protect them from lawsuits over alleged illegal wiretapping, and it is suing for the evidence.
Shutdown of eDonkey servers may be short-lived
(News) The music industry claimed another legal victory in its battle against illegal file sharing in Europe on Friday, but the win may not last long.
(News) The music industry claimed another legal victory in its battle against illegal file sharing in Europe on Friday, but the win may not last long.
Lawsuit charges open-source license violation
(News) In what may be the first action of its kind in the U.S., the Software Freedom Law Center has filed a lawsuit to enforce an open-source license.
(News) In what may be the first action of its kind in the U.S., the Software Freedom Law Center has filed a lawsuit to enforce an open-source license.
FCC schedules 700MHz auction on Jan. 16
(News) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will begin its long-awaited auction of 700MHz radio spectrum on Jan. 16, 2008, the agency said Friday.
(News) The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will begin its long-awaited auction of 700MHz radio spectrum on Jan. 16, 2008, the agency said Friday.
Controversial LimeWire to go legit with music service
(News) Lime Wire LLC, maker of the controversial LimeWire file-sharing software, plans to go legit with a new music download service.
(News) Lime Wire LLC, maker of the controversial LimeWire file-sharing software, plans to go legit with a new music download service.
Trade group: More government action needed on e-health
(News) U.S. lawmakers should avoid passing net neutrality laws as a way to help electronic-health initiatives move forward, an Internet provider trade group said Tuesday.
(News) U.S. lawmakers should avoid passing net neutrality laws as a way to help electronic-health initiatives move forward, an Internet provider trade group said Tuesday.
Online legislation-writing effort gets good reviews
(News) A blog launched this month has teamed with a U.S. senator in an effort to write new broadband legislation, and so far participants have given the process high marks.
(News) A blog launched this month has teamed with a U.S. senator in an effort to write new broadband legislation, and so far participants have given the process high marks.
Court holds Belgian ISP responsible for file-sharing
(News) A court has ruled that the Belgian ISP Scarlet Extended SA is responsible for blocking illegal file-sharing on its network, setting a precedent that could affect other ISPs in Europe, according to a recording industry group.
(News) A court has ruled that the Belgian ISP Scarlet Extended SA is responsible for blocking illegal file-sharing on its network, setting a precedent that could affect other ISPs in Europe, according to a recording industry group.
ICANN makes progress on international domain names
(News) Participants made good progress discussing changes to Internet governance during an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting in Puerto Rico that closed on Friday, leaders of the organization said.
(News) Participants made good progress discussing changes to Internet governance during an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting in Puerto Rico that closed on Friday, leaders of the organization said.
Dot-Asia domain applications to begin in October
(News) Applications for domain names under the new ".asia" top-level domain will begin to be accepted from October, the nonprofit organization running the domain said Thursday.
(News) Applications for domain names under the new ".asia" top-level domain will begin to be accepted from October, the nonprofit organization running the domain said Thursday.
Web-based business charged with distributing obscenity
(News) Two people operating the Internet business Movies by Mail have been charged with one count of selling obscene material, including movies showing sexual acts with women dressed to look underage, the U.S. Department of Justice announced late Thursday.
(News) Two people operating the Internet business Movies by Mail have been charged with one count of selling obscene material, including movies showing sexual acts with women dressed to look underage, the U.S. Department of Justice announced late Thursday.
Guilty verdict dropped in spyware case against teacher
(News) A school teacher facing jail time after spyware programs exposed her students to pornographic images has been given a reprieve.
(News) A school teacher facing jail time after spyware programs exposed her students to pornographic images has been given a reprieve.
Porn director faces charges for online distribution
(News) A well-known director and producer of adult films has been indicted on obscenity charges for distributing his movies online and through the mail, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.
(News) A well-known director and producer of adult films has been indicted on obscenity charges for distributing his movies online and through the mail, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.
Internet tax ban meets resistance in Senate
(News) Several U.S. senators questioned whether to extend a ban on access and other Internet-only taxes, at least in their current form, during a hearing Wednesday.
(News) Several U.S. senators questioned whether to extend a ban on access and other Internet-only taxes, at least in their current form, during a hearing Wednesday.
China drops real-name blogger plan
(News) Bloggers in China will not be compelled to register using their real names, a quasi-government organization announced Monday.
(News) Bloggers in China will not be compelled to register using their real names, a quasi-government organization announced Monday.
Group urges UK gov't to apply antifraud law online
(News) The U.K. government must ensure that funds exchanged in online communities or "virtual worlds" are protected by existing anti-fraud laws and regulations, an independent watchdog has warned.
(News) The U.K. government must ensure that funds exchanged in online communities or "virtual worlds" are protected by existing anti-fraud laws and regulations, an independent watchdog has warned.
Verio to shut off controversial Web site
(News) Privacy advocates are concerned that a move by Verio to stop hosting a controversial Web site points to a growing control of the Web by big business and governments.
(News) Privacy advocates are concerned that a move by Verio to stop hosting a controversial Web site points to a growing control of the Web by big business and governments.
Carrier groups oppose spectrum auction proposal
(News) Representatives of large broadband and wireless carriers have voiced opposition to a proposal from consumer groups that would impose open access and net neutrality conditions on a spectrum auction next year.
(News) Representatives of large broadband and wireless carriers have voiced opposition to a proposal from consumer groups that would impose open access and net neutrality conditions on a spectrum auction next year.
Microsoft files lawsuits against cybersquatters
(News) Microsoft Corp. has filed two new lawsuits against companies it accuses of registering domain names similar to certain of its trademarks. It has also settled three similar suits with other companies, it said Wednesday.
(News) Microsoft Corp. has filed two new lawsuits against companies it accuses of registering domain names similar to certain of its trademarks. It has also settled three similar suits with other companies, it said Wednesday.
Three Minutes: The FTC Chief Takes on Cybercrime
(News) Over the past few years, computer crimes and annoyances have become an increasingly important part of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's work. In the past year, the FTC has announced settlements with spammers, adware distributors, and even Sony BMG Music Entertainment, over its distribution of rootkit software.
(News) Over the past few years, computer crimes and annoyances have become an increasingly important part of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's work. In the past year, the FTC has announced settlements with spammers, adware distributors, and even Sony BMG Music Entertainment, over its distribution of rootkit software.
Law Doesn't Stop Net Betting
(News) Some banks prepare to enforce U.S. ban on online gambling, but site traffic remains strong.
(News) Some banks prepare to enforce U.S. ban on online gambling, but site traffic remains strong.
Is MySpace Liable for Users?
(News) Parents' lawsuits claim social networking site didn't adequately protect its young customers.
(News) Parents' lawsuits claim social networking site didn't adequately protect its young customers.
Critics Blast Music DRM Legislation
(News) Electronic freedom advocates oppose a US bill that would require Internet broadcasters to use DRM technology.
(News) Electronic freedom advocates oppose a US bill that would require Internet broadcasters to use DRM technology.
Court Halts Alleged Web Site Billing Scheme
Court Halts Alleged Web Site Billing Scheme
Court Halts Alleged Web Site Billing Scheme
Supreme Court Passes on Yahoo Nazi Memorabilia Case
(news) Supreme Court Passes on Yahoo Nazi Memorabilia Case
(news) Supreme Court Passes on Yahoo Nazi Memorabilia Case
Verizon: Net Neutrality Limits Broadband's Potential
(news) Verizon: Net Neutrality Limits Broadband's Potential
(news) Verizon: Net Neutrality Limits Broadband's Potential
'Father of the Internet' Asks for Internet Neutrality Law
(news) 'Father of the Internet' Asks for Internet Neutrality Law
(news) 'Father of the Internet' Asks for Internet Neutrality Law
FBI Cracks Down on Movie, Music, Software Piracy Sites
(news) FBI Cracks Down on Movie, Music, Software Piracy Sites
(news) FBI Cracks Down on Movie, Music, Software Piracy Sites
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Internet Tax Ban
(news) Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Internet Tax Ban
(news) Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Internet Tax Ban
Supreme Court Asks Why Cable Broadband Lacks Regulation
(news) Supreme Court Asks Why Cable Broadband Lacks Regulation
(news) Supreme Court Asks Why Cable Broadband Lacks Regulation
Legislative Year in Review: All Talk, Little Action
(news) Legislative Year in Review: All Talk, Little Action
(news) Legislative Year in Review: All Talk, Little Action
Microsoft Tests Piracy-Check Technology
(news) Visitors with a pirated copy of Windows may lose easy access to company's Download Center.
(news) Visitors with a pirated copy of Windows may lose easy access to company's Download Center.
Amazon, Netflix Hit With Patent Suit
(news) British company claims four online retailers are using its patented technology.
(news) British company claims four online retailers are using its patented technology.
Yahoo Faces New Court Battle over Nazi Items
(news) U.S. court says it's a French matter; plaintiff organizations want ban on sale of Nazi memorabilia.
(news) U.S. court says it's a French matter; plaintiff organizations want ban on sale of Nazi memorabilia.
Tech.gov: Your Right to X-Rated Sites
(news) The ACLU and the government butt heads over privacy, free speech, and protecting kids online--again.
(news) The ACLU and the government butt heads over privacy, free speech, and protecting kids online--again.
Bill Cracks Down on Domain Records
(news) Congress wants domain registrars to fight false records, keep accurate data.
(news) Congress wants domain registrars to fight false records, keep accurate data.
Internet Access Tax Ban in Limbo
(news) Some senators fear states will lose revenue from telecommunications service taxes.
(news) Some senators fear states will lose revenue from telecommunications service taxes.
Internet Access Tax Ban Nears Vote
(news) States fear lost funds, but Senate leans toward making moratorium permanent.
(news) States fear lost funds, but Senate leans toward making moratorium permanent.
Internet Tax Ban Reconsidered
(news) Proposals would prohibit any tax on Net access (but not on sales).
(news) Proposals would prohibit any tax on Net access (but not on sales).
States Will Set Telecom Policy
(news) Split FCC decision lets companies keep broadband pipes private.
(news) Split FCC decision lets companies keep broadband pipes private.
New Bill Protects Peer-to-Peer Opponents
(news) Legislation provides legal protection to copyright holders who jam file-sharing networks.
(news) Legislation provides legal protection to copyright holders who jam file-sharing networks.
Surveillance Law Slaps Small Telcos
(news) New customer services delayed to implement technology that supports wiretaps 'just in case.'
(news) New customer services delayed to implement technology that supports wiretaps 'just in case.'
Consumers Face Wiretapping Fees
(news) FBI demand for new surveillance functions forces telcos to upgrade equipment, forego new customer services.
(news) FBI demand for new surveillance functions forces telcos to upgrade equipment, forego new customer services.
Did Microsoft Flirt With Piracy?
(news) Complaints about open-source software policy reveal piracy rap in France.
(news) Complaints about open-source software policy reveal piracy rap in France.
Up Front: Why Your CD-RW May Be Obsolete
(howto) Restrictive new copyright protections could lock you out of your own music CDs.
(howto) Restrictive new copyright protections could lock you out of your own music CDs.
Decoy PCs Trick Hackers Into Teaching Security
(news) Security conference highlights legal weapons, hacker insurance proposal, and 'honeypots' that lure intruders.
(news) Security conference highlights legal weapons, hacker insurance proposal, and 'honeypots' that lure intruders.
Shield Public From Cybercrime Combat, Senator Says
(news) Lawmaker wants to alter Freedom of Information Act to allow covert cybercrime-fighting tactics.
(news) Lawmaker wants to alter Freedom of Information Act to allow covert cybercrime-fighting tactics.
Microsoft Admits Hack Attacks
(news) Ongoing outages are caused by denial-of-service attacks, although Microsoft blames initial problem on internal error.
(news) Ongoing outages are caused by denial-of-service attacks, although Microsoft blames initial problem on internal error.
Are Hackers Hounding Microsoft?
(news) Software giant's sites fall in domain name snafu, but cause of crash remains undetermined.
(news) Software giant's sites fall in domain name snafu, but cause of crash remains undetermined.
IBM Livens Music Protection Battle With New Weapon
(news) Big Blue improves its EMMS technology to control peer-to-peer music sharing.
(news) Big Blue improves its EMMS technology to control peer-to-peer music sharing.
Napster, Bertelsmann Say: 'Don't Fight Us, Join Us'
(news) One music company cut a deal with the defendant, but success will require additional players.
(news) One music company cut a deal with the defendant, but success will require additional players.