IBLS INTERNET LAW - NEWS PORTAL

Internet Law - Blogs & Companies’ Criticism: Where Settlement Agreements should be Published?

Wed, 6 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

At its inception, blogs were forums used by individuals to vent personal statements about issues or people; thus far, its evolution is showing an increase of blogs for companies' agendas. Those companies in the conservative side are using blogs to publish informative and marketing material written by their own staff or customers; other companies, less conservative, are using blogs to criticize their competition. In the United States, this inter-company criticism in blogs has resulted in lawsuits. Should settlement agreements reached in these lawsuits be published in the same blogs or in the companies" web sites? This article provides an example where a Pennsylvania’s district court held that the settlement agreement should be published in the blogs where the disputed statements appeared. [More..]

Internet Law - Class Action Lawsuits Filed against Google and other Search Engines for Placing Advertisement on Undesirable Webpages

Wed, 6 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

Advertisers have launched a number of lawsuits against well-known search engine companies such as Yahoo! and Google, accusing them of placing their Ads on “parked Web pages” and other undesirable locations without prior notification to advertisers. The claimants in these cases argue that this unfavorable placement is financially detrimental to them and results in unjust enrichment for the search engine companies. Google and Yahoo! are reportedly taking steps to alleviate advertisers’ concerns and, in the interim, two class action lawsuits against Google remain pending based on Google’s placement of Ads in this manner. [More..]

Internet Law - “HOBBIT” Domain Names are Reclaimed by Tolkein Enterprises

Wed, 6 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

In a number of decisions issued by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, parties who registered domain names that contained the word “hobbit” were required to relinquish their ownership of these registered domain names in favor of the company operating as Tolkein Enterprises. Following, there is an illustration of WIPO panel's position on these cases. [More..]

Internet Law - Taxation of Electronic Commerce in New Jersey

Wed, 6 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

In New Jersey, use and sales taxes that apply to traditional transactions also apply to e-commerce transactions. Use tax is levied on the use of items or service. It is levied when sales tax has not been paid on taxable items or services, or has been paid at a rate less than the New Jersey rate of 7%. The tax is due when these items are purchased from outside of New Jersey and brought into New Jersey. [More..]

Internet Law - Macau Protection Of Consumer Law

Wed, 6 Feb 2007 16:33:00 GMT

Consumer protection in Macau is regulated by the Decree-Law n.12/88/M of June 13, 1988 on the Protection of Consumers, as amended by the Law n.4/95/M of June 12, 1995 and the Law n.1/98/M of June 1, 1998 (the “PCL”). The PCL states the responsibility of the administration regarding consumer protection, and establishes the Consumer Council. [More..]