Website operators and business owners may wonder what rights they hold to use and control their own website. “Ownership” essentially comes down to copyright law. Each website is simply a bundle of unique, separate site elements such as custom source code, images and graphics, videos, software and other applications and text. Of course, these elements Read More…
Copyright Law
How Do ISPs Obtain DMCA Safe Harbor Immunity?
DMCA Safe Harbor Requirements Internet service providers must follow the DMCA safe harbor requirements to enjoy protection from user copyright infringement claims. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (or “DMCA”) is a law that blog, chat room or other interactive website operators must understand. Internet service providers (ISPs) generally have protection under the DMCA safe Read More…
6 Startup Branding Mistakes To Avoid!
Startup Branding Mistakes Undoubtedly, one of the most important aspects of any business is its branding. New entrepreneurs and startups have a laundry list of brand protection concerns to navigate in the beginning. Simply put, a startup can make catastrophic branding mistakes in the beginning that it may not recover from. The following branding mistakes Read More…
Who Gets DMCA Protection?
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) is something you must be familiar with if you operate a blog, chat room or interactive website. The law has two basic functions. First, it protects copyright owners by providing them with a mechanism to enforce their rights without having to directly sue the infringer! The DMCA allows copyright Read More…
Website External Links & Framing Legal Guide!
If you operate a website, are you aware of the ways in which website operators can become liable for use of external links? Traditionally, website operators have not been held liable for merely placing an external text link on their website. But, doing more than simply placing a text link on your site and your Read More…
How To Avoid Website Copyright Infringement
You can be liable for the content on your website if you use materials that rightfully belong to others. In simple terms, you can be liable for either copyright or trademark infringement for the content you put on your website. Most liability for infringement is from copyright infringement. So, the bulk of this post will Read More…
Does Your Business Own Its Logos & Other Creative Works?
Ownership Of Creative Works All startups and existing businesses must understand one basic legal principle when it comes to logos and other creative works: If you are not the actual creator of a creative work, then the only way that you can acquire exclusive rights to the work is by having a signed and legally sufficient writing Read More…
Handling BitTorrent File Sharing Lawsuit Threats 101
You may be involved in a bitTorrent or file sharing lawsuit as a “John Doe” defendant. Have you recently received a letter from either your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an attorney claiming to represent the copyright holder of certain files you allegedly have illegally downloaded/distributed over the Internet? Such a letter from your Internet Read More…