European countries have long had different notions of privacy than we do in the United States, where privacy has weaker protection than free speech. But several recent developments are leading European privacy norms to have impact in the United States. Article 8 of European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) provides that "everyone has the right to respect for his private … [Read more...] about European privacy notions wash ashore in U.S.
Court isn’t crazy about Prince challenge to dancing baby
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California isn’t crazy over Universal Music’s attempts to take down a YouTube video featuring a toddler dancing to the song “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince. In a September ruling, it agreed with a district judge who had held copyright owners must consider fair use before issuing takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act … [Read more...] about Court isn’t crazy about Prince challenge to dancing baby
Copyright verdict’s lesson: Use online photos with care
Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the winter 2014 print issue of Gateway Journalism Review. In a case that offers a reminder that material found online cannot simply be reused without regard to copyright considerations, a federal jury in Manhattan awarded a photographer $1.2 million in November against a news agency that, without the photographer’s … [Read more...] about Copyright verdict’s lesson: Use online photos with care
Appeals Court likes “likes,” says they’re speech
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that "liking" something on Facebook is speech protected by the First Amendment, reversing a lower court opinion dismissing a suit brought by former employees of a sheriff's office who lost their jobs after they "liked" the Facebook page of their boss's opponent in his re-election bid. Last May, District Judge Raymond A. Jackson … [Read more...] about Appeals Court likes “likes,” says they’re speech
Iowa’s media/non-media distinction in libel law could be trouble for bloggers
Editor's note: This is a preview of an article that appears in the spring 2013 print issue of Gateway Journalism Review. In mid-January, the Iowa Supreme Court decided to maintain the distinction in Iowa state law between “media” and “non-media” defendants in defamation cases, with the latter easier to sue for some types of libel. In Bierman v. Weier, the court said … [Read more...] about Iowa’s media/non-media distinction in libel law could be trouble for bloggers