The NY appeals court reinstated a gambling conviction against a man who ran an illegal Texas Hold’em lounge. Originally, the gambling conviction was dismissed, largely based on the argument that poker was a game of skill, and therefore not illegal gambling. However, the appeals court overturned the dismissal based on NY…
Cydney Tune will provide the Program Overview for PLI’s Technology and Entertainment Convergence 2013: Hot Business and Legal Issues in “Technotainment” on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 9:00am. Ms. Tune will also co-present during the “Going Mobile: Key Issues in Developing and Distributing Mobile Apps” session at 11:30am. James Gatto will…
A weekly wrap up of interesting news about virtual worlds, virtual goods and other social media. Surprise: Facebook Is The Tech Company That Reports The Blowout Quarter The social network surprised on the massive upside. Its mobile business is maturing at an even quicker clip than some aggressive estimates.…
In June, Pillsbury welcomed Riaz Karamali to the Corporate & Securities – Technology practice in the firm’s Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices. He has vast experience with start-ups and in the the videogame space is a strong fit with Pillsbury’s capabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mr. Karamali…
Jim Gatto, and James Chang recently published “Mobile Privacy Practices: Recent California developments indicate what’s to come” in the June issue of Computer Law Review International. The use of mobile applications has seen huge growth in the past few years. As the use of apps become increasingly commonplace, social concerns…
As recently reported, FINCEN issued significant guidance on legal issues with virtual currency. Shortly thereafter, an enforcement action was initiated against Mt. Gox, one of the largest bitcoin exchanges for operating without the proper licenses. The use of virtual currency is prevalent and an important part of many social media…
On May 28, 2013, the New York Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics issued an opinion stating “that the mere status of being a ‘Facebook friend,’ without more, is an insufficient basis to require recusal.” (Emphasis in original). The sole act of friending an individual on Facebook does not create an…
Laura Gustafson will present during a one-hour PLI webinar briefing entitled “Catch Phrase or Trademark Infringement? A Trap for the Unwary,” on June 19 at 1:00pm EST. The recent 2nd Circuit opinion in Kelly-Brown v. Oprah Winfrey, _F3d_, 2013 WL 2360999 (2d Cir 2013) highlights a potential trademark “trap for…
Please join us at the Video Games and Digital Media Conference on June 10, 2013. Pillsbury attorney Cydney Tune is co-chairing this upcoming conference hosted by the American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries. She is also speaking on the topic of “Data Privacy, PII, and Online…
On May 21, 2013, Washington’s governor signed a new law protecting employee social networking accounts. The new law, which goes into effect on July 28, 2013, prevents employers from requesting, requiring or coercing an employee or applicant to disclose login information for the employee’s personal social networking account. Employers also…