Sharing software code via free open source has been around since the 1980s and has enjoyed much success. Open source has been applied to content, websites, technological parts, and other materials. Can and should an open source platform be monetized?
Partner Mark Fischer takes a look at GitHub (a collaborative website allowing individuals to share code) and its place in monetizing open source code in this blog entry from the New Media and Entertainment Law Blog.
Technology is advancing at warp speed, and the way we live is changing constantly. Indeed, what was once lifestyle bedrock is now going the way of the dinosaurs.
For example, when I backpacked in Europe more than three decades ago, I kept in touch with my family by way of aerogrammes and postcards. Those days are gone. My daughter just started her study abroad program in Copenhagen, and within hours of hitting Danish soil, I heard from her by way of Facebook messages and mobile telephone calls via Skype.
Continue reading “High Tech Replacing Familiar Favorites, But Low Tech Will Live On”
Once upon a time, the production of information in civil litigation primarily consisted of the exchange of hard-copy, paper records. Those days are long gone.
We now are in the electronic age, and productions feature all sorts of electronic data. It is important to get it right when it comes to eDiscovery, as the downside consequences for getting it wrong can be severe.
The FTC has issued a press release claiming that it has reached an agreement with Google to resolve competition concerns in the markets for smartphones, games, tablets, and online search.
The FTC states that pursuant to a settlement agreement, Google will comply with earlier promises to permit access to competitors on reasonable terms to patents on certain popular devices. And as a result of an independent commitment letter, Google will provide greater flexibility to online advertisers to manage advertisement campaigns on Google’s AdWords platform and to make sure not to misappropriate content from vertical sites that target specific categories (such as travel) for offerings.
Continue reading “Google, FTC Reach Agreement On Competition Issues”
With Christmas coming, many of us are thinking about smartphones and tablet computers as gifts for our loved ones and even ourselves. But we do not tend to think about the airwaves needed for those devices to receive signals and download data.
Not to worry, though: Your technology companies are making the case to Congress that additional airwaves need to be opened up.
Indeed, a coalition of tech companies forwarded a letter to certain members of Congress last week in an effort to gain greater access to airwaves, according to The Hill’s Hillicon Valley blog. Signatories to the letter included Apple, Cisco, Samsung, RIM, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm and Alcatel-Lucent.
Continue reading “Tech Companies Seek More Airwaves As Christmas Present”
Duane Morris partner Eric Sinrod will be part of a roundtable discussion on “Social Media & Ethics: Avoiding Costly Mistakes” on Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
The panel will explore ethical pitfalls in using social media to investigate and prepare cases, and will cover competence; advertising/solicitation; social media relationships; and investigations.
Tumblr is a Website where users can share photos, music, videos, quotes and posts, all of which can be customized with different colors and themes.
On its “About” page, Tumblr boldly suggests that users “follow the world’s creators.” With only 128 employees, Tumblr boasts 83.7 million blogs, 37.4 billion posts and a whopping 18.1 billion monthly page views.
So, all is well and good in Tumblr land, right? Perhaps most of the time. However, last week a worm struck Tumblr and infected some of the most widely read blogs, including those of CNET, Reuters and USA Today, as reported by CNET.
Continue reading “Tumblr Comes Tumbling Down During Cyberattack”
Perhaps concerned about the potential for further iterations of anti-piracy laws, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) has proposed on Reddit legislation called the Internet American Moratorium Act (IAMA). The IAMA would seek to put an end to further Internet legislation for two years.
Continue reading “Congressman On Reddit Proposes Moratorium On Internet Laws”
Tax reform can and does happen at the ballot box. Indeed, startup companies in San Francisco should soon feel the benefit of the recent passage of the city’s Proposition E.
Proposition E implements a tax on gross receipts, phasing out San Francisco’s prior payroll tax. This will be very beneficial for startup companies that have paid staff but have yet to earn much revenue.
Furthermore, given that business tax trails only property tax for bringing in dollars to the city of San Francisco, by taxing gross receipts instead of payroll, there will likely be more regularity and less fluctuation in terms of dollars flowing into city coffers.
Continue reading “San Francisco Passes Prop E To Benefit Of Startups”
We usually think of the Internet as a place where we can obtain information, communicate with others, and engage in various business and personal activities.
However, is it also a new battlefield?
Yes, according to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Indeed, as reported by Reuters, he maintains that while hackers have already attacked financial institutions, they also have the capability to strike mission-critical domestic power grids and government systems.
