Communications and Internet Law Overview
Communications and Internet Law Resources
Related Practice Areas
Media may be broadly grouped into two categories: print media, which includes newspapers, magazines and books, and telecommunications media, which includes radio, television, wire, satellite, cable, and the Internet. Some media laws—such as the First Amendment, state defamation and invasion of privacy laws, and federal and state open government laws—impact all forms of media. Other media laws, such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, target only telecommunications.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- Grisoft,s.r.o. v. Google, Inc.
Movant John Doe seeks an order quashing the subpoena directed to Google, Inc. at the request of Grisoft, S.R.O., which seeks the identity of Movant. Movant alleges that Grisoft is attempting to misuse the subpoena process pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
California Northern District Court
Filed: December 13, 2007
Plaintiff: Grisoft,s.r.o.; Defendant: Google, Inc.Movant: John Doe
Last Docket Report Change Found: May 11, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - American Airlines Inc v. Google Inc
American Airlines is suing Google for allowing companies to show ads when its trademarks, including (but not limited to) "AMERICAN AIRLINES" "AMERICAN EAGLE" "AA" "A A" "AA.COM" "AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER" "AADVANTAGE" "AMERICAN CONNECTION" "AMERICANAIRLINES" are searched on.
Texas Northern District Court
Trademark
Filed: August 16, 2007
Plaintiff: American Airlines Inc, American Airlines Inc, American Airlines Inc, American Airlines Inc, American Airlines Inc and others... Defendant: Google Inc, Google Inc, Google Inc, Google Inc
Last Docket Report Change Found: May 11, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - Cobb v. Google, Inc. et al
Plaintiff Jonathan Cobb sued Defendants Google, Inc. and WorkforceLogic USA. Plaintiff alleges that Google had misappropriated the Google Sky concept and idea, which Plaintiff had presented, advanced and refined through an internal e-mail discussion group.
Georgia Northern District Court
Contract: Other
Filed: February 13, 2008
Plaintiff: Jonathan Cobb, Jonathan Cobb, Jonathan Cobb Defendant: Google, Inc., Workforcelogic USA
Last Docket Report Change Found: May 11, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - Jones v. Wackenhut Google Inc.
Plaintiff Donald Jones alleges that defendant Wackenhut employed him as a security guard and assigned him to defendant Google Inc.'s facilities. He further alleges that his employer retaliated against him because he had previously filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. He charges that defendant Wackenhut had deducted from his payroll check and had suspended him because a Google representative allegedly observed him sleeping on the job.
Georgia Northern District Court
Civil Rights: Jobs
Filed: March 12, 2007
Plaintiff: Donald Jones Defendant: Wackenhut, Wackenhut
Last Docket Report Change Found: May 11, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - Performance Pricing, Inc. v. Google Inc. et al
Plaintiff Performance Pricing, Inc. sued Google Inc., AOL LLC, Microsoft Corporation and Yahoo! Inc. for infringing U.S. Patent No. 6,978,253 entitled "Systems and Methods for Transacting Business Over a Global Communications Network such as the Internet."
Texas Eastern District Court
Patent
Filed: September 27, 2007
Plaintiff: Performance Pricing, Inc., Performance Pricing, Inc., Performance Pricing, Inc., Performance Pricing, Inc., Performance Pricing, Inc. and others... Defendant: Google Inc., Google Inc., Google Inc., Google Inc., Google Inc. and others...
Last Docket Report Change Found: May 11, 2008
(May 10, 2008)
Legislation 
- Bill Introduced: H.R.5831 Separating Servicemember Handbook Development Act
To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to provide injured members of the Armed Forces information concerning benefits.
(April 15, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.R.5719 Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act of 2008
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform return preparer penalty standards, delay implementation of withholding taxes on government contractors, enhance taxpayer protections, assist low-income taxpayers, and for other purposes.
(April 6, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.J.Res.79 Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications ...
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership.
(March 11, 2008) - Bill Introduced: S.Con.Res.70 Budget resolution FY2009
An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013.
(March 5, 2008) - Bill Introduced: H.R.5554 Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008
To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand and improve health care services available to veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs for substance use disorders, and for other purposes.
(March 4, 2008)
Regulations 
- Proposed Rule - Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational ...
Federal Communications Commission
Proposed Rule
Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the, etc.,
26067-26071 [E8-10105]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 27 [WT Docket Nos. 03-66; 03-67; 02-68; IB Docket No. 02-364; ET Docket No. 00-258; FCC 08-83] Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150-2162 and 2500-2690 MHz Bands; Reviewing of the Spectrum Sharing Plan Among Non- Geostationary Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed... [read document]
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(May 7, 2008) - Rule - Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other ...
Federal Communications Commission
Rule
Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services, etc.,
26032-26042 [E8-10099]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 27 [WT Docket Nos. 03-66; 03-67; 02-68; IB Docket No. 02-364; ET Docket No. 00-258; FCC 08-83] Facilitating the Provision of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Access, Educational and Other Advanced Services in the 2150-2162 and 2500-2690 MHz Bands; Reviewing of the Spectrum Sharing Plan Among Non- Geostationary Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule;... [read document]
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(May 7, 2008) - Rule - Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets: Petition of American National Standards ...
Federal Communications Commission
Rule
Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets:
Petition of American National Standards Institute Accredited Standards Committee C63 (EMC) ANSI ASC C63,
25566-25591 [E8-9855]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Parts 0, 20, 68 [WT Docket No. 07-250; FCC 08-68; FCC 08-117] Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets, Petition of American National Standards Institute Accredited Standards Committee C63 (EMC) ANSI ASC C63\TM\ AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts various proposals to amend its hearing aid compatibility policies and requirements pertaining to wireless services,... [read document]
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(May 6, 2008) - Rule - Ancillary Terrestrial Components in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Big LEO Bands
Federal Communications Commission
Rule
Ancillary Terrestrial Components in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Big LEO Bands,
25591-25592 [E8-10095]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 25 [IB Docket No. 07-253; FCC 08-98] Ancillary Terrestrial Components in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Big LEO Bands AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Currently, Globalstar, Inc. (Globalstar) operates a Mobile- Satellite Service (MSS) system in the 1610-1626.5 MHz band (Big LEO L- band) and the 2483.5-2500 MHz band (Big LEO S-band). Globalstar, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, is authorized to operate an... [read document]
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(May 6, 2008) - Proposed Rule - Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals; Implementation of the ...
Federal Communications Commission
Proposed Rule
Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals; Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999:
Local Broadcast Signal Carriage Issues and Retransmission Consent Issues,
24515-24519 [E8-9747]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 76 [CS Docket No. 00-96; FCC 08-86] Carriage of Digital Television Broadcast Signals; Implementation of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999: Local Broadcast Signal Carriage Issues and Retransmission Consent Issues AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: This document seeks comment on the application of the statutory requirement for nondiscriminatory treatment in carriage of standard definition... [read document]
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(May 4, 2008)
Government 
- TA08-099A: Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities
Microsoft Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities
(May 10, 2008) - SB08-105: Vulnerability Summary for the Week of April 7, 2008
Vulnerability Summary for the Week of April 7, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - ST05-008: How Anonymous Are You?
How Anonymous Are You?
(May 10, 2008) - SB08-126: Vulnerability Summary for the Week of April 28, 2008
Vulnerability Summary for the Week of April 28, 2008
(May 10, 2008) - ST05-009: Benefits and Risks of Free Email Services
Benefits and Risks of Free Email Services
(May 10, 2008)
Articles 
- Virtual Worlds, Real Rules
New York Law School Law Review, Vol. 49, 2004 Caroline M. Bradley and A. Michael Froomkin University of Miami - School of Law and University of Miami - School of Law Date Posted: May 5, 2008 Last Revised: May 9, 2008
(May 8, 2008) - The Role of Trademarks in Intra-Brand Settings: An Economic Analysis
U of Alabama Public Law Research Paper No. 1126857 Shahar Dillbary University of Alabama School of Law Date Posted: May 6, 2008 Last Revised: May 6, 2008
(May 5, 2008) - Dignity as a New Framework, Replacing the Right to Privacy
Thomas Jefferson Law Review, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2007 Jeremy M. Miller Chapman University - School of Law Date Posted: May 6, 2008 Last Revised: May 6, 2008
(May 5, 2008) - Trying to Understand Software: Why Microsoft v. At&T Was Mistakenly Decided
Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2008 Drew Koning Fordham University - School of Law Date Posted: May 5, 2008 Last Revised: May 5, 2008
(May 4, 2008) - Understanding Privacy
Daniel J. Solove, UNDERSTANDING PRIVACY, Harvard University Press, May 2008 Daniel J. Solove George Washington University Law School Date Posted: May 5, 2008 Last Revised: May 5, 2008
(May 4, 2008)
News 
The Southern Ledger
Chinese man held for threatening on Internet to grab torch
The Associated Press - 14 hours ago
BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese man was arrested for saying on the Internet that he planned to grab the Olympic torch during its relay through eastern China, ...
Man arrested for chat-room threat to grab torch South China Morning Post (subscription)
all 96 news articles
(May 10, 2008)
Citizen
Moms network: Little helpers found online
BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT - 8 hours ago
And when my mom needed an extra pair of hands or had a question, whether about fevers or pfeffernusse, she asked her mom, sisters or sisters-in-law -- a ...
Facebook steps up safeguards TVNZ
Moms (and dads) should be watching the internet Summit Daily News
Popular Web site Facebook added to Internet safety task force Citizens Voice
Bizjournals.com - Seattle Post Intelligencerall 818 news articles
(May 10, 2008)- Delek reduces Tyler, Texas, FCC output - state
Reuters - 3 hours ago
HOUSTON, May 11 (Reuters) - Delek US Holding Inc's (DK.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 58000-barrel-per-day Tyler, Texas, refinery cut back the feedstock going ...
(May 10, 2008) - Exxon restarting Beaumont, TX, refinery FCC -state
Reuters - 3 hours ago
A carbon monoxide boiler on the cat cracker shut down and was restarted Saturday while work to restart the FCC was underway, according to the notice, ...
UPDATE 1-Valero restarting Los Angeles-area refinery units Reuters
all 8 news articles
(May 10, 2008)
Broadcasting & Cable
FCC to Test DTV Transition
BroadbandReports.com, NY - 8 hours ago
Taking a cue from recent efforts by a small Las Vegas television station, the FCC has plans to test out the switch to digital television as part of a goal ...
FCC Plans Digital Television Transition Test In September InformationWeek
North Carolina city will test run DTV transition in September Ars Technica
Wilmington first in US to go digital Digital Spy
Washington Post - Wall Street Journalall 290 news articles
(May 10, 2008)
Blog Posts 
- Religious Accommodations and Eagle Protection Law:
Judge Michael McConnell, one of the nation's leading scholars of church-state and religious freedom law, has just written a characteristically thoughtful opinion on the subject. Much worth reading if you're...
(May 8, 2008) - 2008 Press Freedom Report
The 2008 Press Freedom Report of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Breaking the shackles: the continuing fight against censorship and spin 2008 was launched at the Alliance's annual Press Freedom Dinner last Friday night in Sydney. Read the full report here.
(May 8, 2008) - Nine Network Australia Pty Limited v IceTV Pty Limited
Yesterday the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its decision in Nine Network Australia Pty Limited v IceTV Pty Limited, a very interesting copyright case relating to electronic TV programming guides. The opening paragraph of the Court's decision neatly summarises the issue: The main issue in this appeal is whether the primary Judge correctly rejected the claim by the appellant ('Nine') that the respondents ('Ice') had infringed Nine's copyright in its television program...
(May 8, 2008) - Reflections ...
This week Duncan Riley announced his new blogging venture, The Inquisitr (see my post here). However in my mind an equally significant announcement was that Skepticlawyer (Helen Dale) from Catallaxy and Legal Eagle from The Legal Soapbox are teaming up at in a joint blog venture, Skepticlawyer. Although they are both lawyers, they have different interests and politics, they are always thoughtful and intelligent, and I enjoy immensely reading their perspectives on law, politics and life. I wish...
(May 8, 2008) - Jon Stewart is like Bill O'Reilly?
The Associated Press reports on an interesting finding: A journalism think tank studying "The Daily Show" doesn't believe many people get their news from Jon Stewart - because otherwise they wouldn't get the jokes. The Project for Excellence in Journalism also said it was surprised at how much the Comedy Central late-night program resembles "The O'Reilly Factor," "Hardball" and other cable news shows in content. The Washington-based organization asked its researchers to study a year's worth of...
(May 8, 2008)