Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Ron Gonski

House Passes CISPA

Federal Circuit Renews K-Tech Communications Lawsuit Against DirecTV

Government Squashes Dozens of Patents a Year for National Security Reasons

S.D.N.Y Holds that the First Sale Doctrine Does not Permit the Resale of a Digital Music File

Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc.
By Charlie Stiernberg – Edited by Andrew Crocker

Internet startup ReDigi—“the world’s first and only online marketplace for digital used music”—recently suffered a setback in the rollout of its digital music resale platform. Judge Sullivan for the District Court for the Southern District of New York granted plaintiff Capitol Records’ motion for partial summary judgment on its claims for defendant ReDigi’s direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement.

Facebook to Face Jury Trial over “Timeline” Trademark

Timelines, Inc. v. Facebook, Inc.
By Ashish Bakshi – Edited by Dorothy Du

Facebook, Inc. (“Facebook”) lost its bid for a quick end to a trademark infringement suit filed by Timelines, Inc. (“Timelines”) over the social networking giant’s use of the term “timeline.” The court held that Facebook failed to show as a matter of law that Timelines’ trademark for “timeline” was generic or merely descriptive or, if the trademark were valid, that  Facebook’s use of the term constituted fair use. A jury trial will commence on April 22.

Ninth Circuit Affirms DMCA Safe Harbors for Streaming Video Providers

UMG v. Veoh
by Pio Szamel ­– Edited by Jacob Rogers

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the Federal District Court for the Central District of California, which had granted summary judgment finding that the streaming-video host Veoh was protected by the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) and dismissed additional infringement claims against Veoh’s investors.

Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Michelle Sohn

Northern District of California Court Strikes Down National Security Letter Statute

Social Media Added Fuel to the Fire in Stuebenville Rape Case

Presidential Commission Concludes Anthrax Vaccine Testing on Children Unethical without Further Research