Intellectual Property, Internet & Entertainment
Browse published legal information questions related to Intellectual Property, Internet & Entertainment.
Can a Cell Phone Company Charge an Early Termination Fee After Service Outages?
In general, a cell phone company may still try to charge an early termination fee after service outages, but that does not automatically mean the fee is valid in every situation. The answer often depends on the service a...
What happens if someone edits a recorded conversation to make me look bad?
In California, an edited recording can create legal problems, but what happens depends heavily on the facts. A recording that has been cut, rearranged, or selectively presented may be challenged if the editing makes it m...
How do I calculate damages if someone violated Penal Code 632 by secretly recording me?
In California, damages for a secret recording claim under Penal Code 632 are usually not calculated by a single fixed formula. The amount may depend on what kind of harm the recording caused, how the recording was used,...
Do I have to get consent if the conversation happened on speakerphone with other people nearby?
In California, the answer may depend on whether the conversation was being recorded or otherwise intercepted, and on whether the people involved had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Speakerphone use by itself does no...
How do I handle a defamatory Glassdoor review by a former employee?
A false or misleading Glassdoor review by a former employee can be frustrating, especially if it affects hiring, reputation, or customer relationships. In general, the first step is to stay calm and avoid posting an angr...
Do I have to show actual malice if I am a local business owner?
In Rhode Island, the answer is usually: it depends on the kind of claim, the statement at issue, and whether you are treated as a public figure, limited-purpose public figure, or private person for defamation purposes. A...
What are my rights if an influencer falsely blamed me for selling counterfeit products?
If an influencer falsely blamed you for selling counterfeit products, you may have several possible legal concerns, depending on what was said, where it was said, and whether others believed it. In general, a false publi...
Do I have to pay an early termination fee if my internet service was down for 18 days?
In general, maybe not automatically. If your internet service was down for 18 days, that outage may matter when a provider tries to charge an early termination fee, but the answer usually depends on the contract language...
Is it legal to record a conversation in a coffee shop where other people could hear us?
In Pennsylvania, whether it is legal to record a conversation in a coffee shop usually depends on several factors, including whether you are a participant in the conversation, whether the people being recorded know about...
Can I copyright a short story if I used AI to brainstorm the plot but wrote every chapter myself?
In general, yes, you may be able to copyright a short story if a human author wrote the actual expression in the story, even if an AI tool helped brainstorm the plot. Under U.S. copyright principles, copyright protection...
Is it legal for a subscription app to make me call customer service to cancel but let me sign up online?
In general, a subscription app may not be allowed to make cancellation much harder than sign-up, but the answer depends on the facts and the legal rules that apply in Utah and under any relevant federal law. If a company...
Can I sue a website for refusing to remove defamatory comments posted by users?
In New Jersey, the answer is often complicated and depends heavily on who posted the content, what the website did, and whether federal law applies. In general, websites are often protected from liability for user-genera...
Do I have to prove who wrote the anonymous defamatory post before filing a lawsuit?
In general, you do not always need to know the anonymous poster’s real identity before starting a defamation case, but you usually do need enough information to describe the defamation claim and ask the court for help id...
How do I prove damages from a viral false post about my business?
If a false post about your business goes viral, proving damages usually means showing a connection between the post and a real loss. In general, that can include lost sales, canceled contracts, reduced bookings, lower we...
What are my rights if a former client falsely called me a thief in an online review?
If a former client posted an online review falsely calling you a thief, that statement may raise defamation concerns under general U.S. law and Oklahoma law. In broad terms, a false statement of fact that harms your repu...