Close

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

Updated:

2013 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries

Pillsbury attorney, Sean Kane, serves on the Governing Committee of the ABA as the Licensing, Merchandising and Branding Division Chair. Sean is participating in the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries as the moderator for a discussion titled, “PLENARY: Rights of Publicity…

Updated:

Client Alert: Evolving Case Law on the Fair Use of Famous Trademarks in Video Games

A recent spate of cases has generally upheld, on First Amendment grounds, a developer’s right to include unlicensed trademarks in video games. However, until the body of case law becomes so prevalent that trademark owners recognize that they cannot possibly succeed in an action involving use in a video game,…

Updated:

New Jersey Officially the Newest State with a Social Media Law

On August 29, 2013, Gov. Chris Christie signed New Jersey’s social media privacy law, making New Jersey the twelfth state to enact such laws governing employers.  (Various states have enacted similar laws governing institutions of higher education.)  Christie’s signature ends an approximately year and a half long legislative process:  the…

Updated:

Around the Virtual World: August 26-30, 2013

A weekly wrap up of interesting news about virtual worlds, virtual goods and other social media.   Microsoft Points Retired The latest Xbox 360 system update has retired Microsoft points and now all transactions on the platform will make use of local currency. Software Patent Mess Hits High Court with WildTangent…

Updated:

Healthcare Gamification – Regulation of Wellness Programs

Gamification has become pervasive in many every day activities, including health and wellness programs. For companies involved in these activities, you should make sure you are aware of the final Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) regulations on wellness programs. These come into effect in 2014. Gamification refers to the use of…

Updated:

Bitcoin Scheme Worthy of Charles Ponzi

On July 23, 2013 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced it was bringing charges in a Texas federal court against Trendon Shavers for allegedly using a Bitcoin Ponzi scheme to defraud investors between September 2011 and September 2012.  For those who may not know, Bitcoins are anonymous, decentralized, non-government-backed…

Updated:

Think Like a Lawyer, Talk Like a Geek 2013: Get Fluent in Technology

Sean F. Kane, Pillsbury special counsel, will participate in PLI’s Think Like a Lawyer, Talk Like a Geek 2013: Get Fluent in Technology seminar by co-presenting during the “Virtual Games and Virtual Currency” session on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 11:30am. This unique program will present extraordinary sessions combining experienced…

Updated:

Florida Ethics Committee Concerned About Judges on Social Media

On July 30, 2013, the Florida Judicial Ethics Committee issued an opinion stating that a judge running for re-election may create a Twitter account for campaign purposes, but warned of potential pitfalls surrounding social media. The opinion resulted from an inquiry submitted by an anonymous judge who plans to use…