Groklaw Tech Blog Shuts Down Citing US Government Monitoring

Check out this article from the ABA Journal about the Groklaw shutdown.  It's an interesting article, although I think the shutdown is a kneejerk/emotional reaction rather than a well-reasoned response to this issue.  What is your take?

http://bit.ly/1figW9Q

Comments welcome and have a great day!

Green Day Wins "close and difficult" Copyright Infringement Case in 9th Circuit

Calling the case "close and difficult," the 9th circuit affirmed a district court ruling that Green Day's use of a graphic image in a video was a fair use.  The district court's award of attorney's fees to Green Day was reversed.

Story from the World Intellectual Property Review here: http://bit.ly/152ZI1k

The "fair use" defense is typically problematic, and here it is interesting that the lower court believed that the Plaintiff's case was unreasonable and awarded attorney's fees to Green Day, but the 9th Circuit said not so fast - this was a close and difficult case - and reversed the award of attorney's fees.

Enjoy and have a great day!

HP Fights Lawsuit Over Penis Size App Known as 'Chubby Checker'

I couldn't resist reposting this from the Hollywood Reporter!  I guess Chubby Checker (the singer) has a problem with an phone app that measures penis size....   He claims his name has been tarnished.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hp-fights-lawsuit-penis-size-607372

Have a great weekend!  You, too Chubby!

Obama's IP Czar Steps Down

Victoria Espinel was appointed by President Obama in 2009.  She was responsible for  working with various government agencies and helping develop IP strategies.  Earlier this year she introduced President Obama's IP plan with goals of improving transparency in IP policymaking and international negotiations, improving law enforcement communication with IP stakeholders and educating authors on "fair use."

See story from the Hollywood Reporter here:

http://bit.ly/14HXtQV

And from Corporate Counsel Magazine here:

http://bit.ly/125ATxA

President Obama's IP Plan (light reading, 91 pages):

http://1.usa.gov/11OIqwc

Copyright Green Paper Issued by the Department of Commerce

What? Two blogs in one week?  That's *^&% crazy...

Here's a link to the copyright green paper issued by the Department of Commerce last week.  Evidently this paper is the most thorough and comprehensive analysis of digital copyright policy issued by any administration since 1995.  You might want to read it and see what our government is thinking about digital copyright.  I'm sure there will be a public comment period, so heads up!  I will be back next Wednesday, August 14 (as promised) with more.  In the meantime, dig in to some light weekend reading and let me know what you think.  Have a great weekend!

http://www.uspto.gov/news/publications/copyrightgreenpaper.pdf

I'm back in saddle again!

First blog post in over a year, and my goal is to post once a week - every Wednesday!  Please stay tuned.

Interesting case in Georgia where the state is claiming copyright in annotated state statues and trying to prevent a commercial service from copying and distributing the annotated statutes.  Check out the Techdirt story here:  http://bit.ly/14z4LPI