Intellectual Property Law Commons^™

Network Neutrality And Industry Structure, T. Randolph Beard, George S. Ford, Thomas M. Koutsky, Lawrence J. Spiwak

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

In its attempt to establish rules that preserve the "openness" of the Internet, the federal government has recently considered implementing various regulatory constraints on the behavior of broadband service providers in order to ensure that consumers can freely access third-party applications over broadband networks without the fear that the network provider will deteriorate transmission to third-party services in favor of their own. Adopting these proposed "Network Neutrality" requirements, however, could exacerbate the very highly-concentrated industry structure by increasing industry concentration, and plausibly even rendering monopoly. Such forced commoditization of broadband access will leave consumers unambiguously worse off.

Antitrust And Sports League Franchise Relocation: Bringing Raiders I Into The Modern Era Of Antitrust Law, Brett Gibbs

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Sports relocation is traumatic for die-hard sports fans. History and long-standing tradition are often thrust aside in pursuit of lucrative offers of stadium financing. Scholars often cite the leading case on sports relocation, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum v. National Football League (Raiders I), for the proposition that restrictions on sports franchise relocation are illegal under the Sherman Act. However, since Raiders I, there have been two significant developments in antitrust law: the in-depth rule of reason approach and the "small but significant increase in price" approach. In light of these developments, sports leagues should not blindly rely on Raiders I, …

Who Owns A Home Run - The Battle Of The Use Of Player Performance Statistics By Fantasy Sports Websites, Jason Shane

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Fantasy sports are becoming increasingly popular, and with the increase in popularity comes an increase in legal scrutiny. Fantasy sports trade on the statistics of professional athletes. This raises the question: who owns these statistics? Copyright law, the right to publicity and the First Amendment are all implicated. Ultimately, the public interest in this information trumps assertions of ownership by both the professional athletes and the leagues in which they play.

Fisher Of Genes: Patentability Of Expressed Sequence Tags, Joshua Kim

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The patentability of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs), small fragments of DNA that scientists use to identify genes, has been a topic of heated debate in intellectual property law and the scientific community. Much of the debate encompasses the far-reaching consequences of effectively placing control of thousands of ESTs into the hands of a few patent holders. In re Fisher, a recent Federal Circuit decision, was anticipated to settle the question of EST patentability, but may have failed to establish a decisive standard. A more workable standard calls for a clearer articulation of specific utility requirements as well as non-obviousness standards …

The Fourth Amendment And Cell Phone Location Tracking: Where Are We, Kevin Mclaughlin

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Cell phones are a way of life in our society. While most people readily use their cell phones, they don't realize that cell phones also provide signals to track their location. This manner of cell phone tracking may be a violation of the Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures. Under the test developed in Katz and its progeny, depending on a number of factors, cell phone tracking may qualify as a reasonable search. However, because cell phone tracking appears to implicate a number of core Fourth Amendment doctrines, it appears to constitute an unreasonable search.

Evolution In Slow Motion: Opting Into A Digital World, Kristin Richards

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Google's "Library Project" which allows users to view snippets from books that have been scanned from library collections is the subject of two recently filed lawsuits. This article takes an in-depth look at the "Library Project" in light of modem copyright law. The "Library Project" presents courts with the difficult task of balancing consumers' desire for information on demand and authors' legal rights.

An Economic Model For The Incentive/Access Paradigm Of Copyright Propertization: An Argument In Support Of The Orphan Works Act, Sami J. Valkonen, Lawrence J. White

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This article proposes an economic model of the incentive-access paradigm for copyright designed to correspond to the goal of maximizing societal welfare.

The article begins with a discussion on the foundations of copyright and the objectives of the Constitution's Copyright Clause. The article adopts the majority view that the Constitution mandates that the copyright regime is designed to optimize the positive welfare impacts from copyright protection. Under this view, similarly as antitrust "protects competition, not competitors," the copyright regime should protect creativity, not creators. The result of this underlying policy objective is that the level of copyright propertization becomes a …

New Architectures For Music: Law Should Get Out Of The Way, Henry H. Perritt Jr.

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Copyright law is constitutionally justifiable only to the extent that it provides incentives for creative effort by reducing the risk of free riding. Technological advances repeatedly have revolutionized the economics of music creation, production and distribution. The latest developments in recording, digital compression, e-commerce and file sharing technologies are only the latest in a long line of disruptive technological developments. These technologies reduce the risk of free riding, thereby justifying a narrowing of the scope of copyright protection for music. The paper carefully examines the elements of production and consumption functions for music, explaining how greatly reduced barriers to entry …

Network Neutrality Or Bias - Handicapping The Odds For A Tiered And Branded Internet, Rob Frieden

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This article takes an in-depth look at the clash between "Bellhead" and "Nethead" cultures in the complex world of internet access pricing and cost recovery schemes. In examining Bellhead business models, Rob Frieden identifies what constitutes reasonable price discrimination and what represents unfair trade practice. This article concludes that most Bellhead cost recovery models are lawful even though they will actually be a reduction in perceived value proposition for most consumers.

Imus, Indecency, Violence & (And) Vulgarity: Why The Fcc Must Not Expand Its Authority Over Content, Clay Calvert

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This article, pivoting on events and controversies that occurred in 2007, addresses two questions affecting freedom of expression on the broadcast airwaves: (1) Should the regulatory power of the Federal Communications Commission be expanded to include control over racist and sexist language like that used by radio host Don Imus in his infamous "nappy head hos" remark?; and (2) Should the regulatory power of the FCC be expanded, per its request to Congress, to include control over violent imagery and storylines on television, including broadcast, cable and satellite television? This article contends that the answer to both questions is the …

The California Supreme Court's Decision In Barrett V. Rosenthal: How The Court's Decision Could Further Hamper Efforts To Restrict Defamation On The Internet, Joshua Azriel

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

In November 2006, the California Supreme Court ruled in Barrett v. Rosenthal that Internet "users" are immune from liability when they post or forward online information that is defamatory. The court cited section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency (CDA) Act as precedent for its decision. The law grants immunity to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other "users" for any offensive material posted on their online interactive computer services. This article analyzes the Barrett ruling and argues that it leaves three questions unanswered: (1) How does the CDA apply to conspiracies between two users of the Internet where one is …

Pirates Of The Carribean: Offshore Internet Gambling Sites Cursed B Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Bunnam Sprehichet

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Internet gambling, once coined the "crack cocaine of gambling," has become somewhat of a reality. The industry has grown exponentially, attracting thousands of offshore Internet gambling operators that are unlicensed, untaxed, and unregulated. Policing these operators under decades old antigambling laws presents a difficult task because such laws were enacted before the advent of the Internet. Policy concerns including gambling by minors, gambling addiction, racketeering, tax preservation, and the recommendations by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission collectively prompted the promulgation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The note analyzes the UIGEA to clarify its misconceptions and to …

A Modern Analytical Framework For Monopolization In Innovative Markets For Products With Network Effects, John Mcgaraghan

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

In the most recent of three landmark antitrust cases against software giant Microsoft, the company argued that courts should apply a different approach to analyzing monopolization charges against "new economy" industry defendants. The court rejected Microsoft's proposal, and this note explores the merit of some of its foundational principles. The note proposes an analytical framework that employs several mechanisms to address unique features of technology markets, such as the "competition for the field"" and "network effects." Under the proposed model, monopolization analysis would condemn those firms which misuse the power to control innovation in the market over time, rather than …

Constitutionalizing Mandatory Retraction In Defamation Law, Elad Peled

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This article discusses mandatory retraction, which court rulings and legal literature rarely have addressed. The article proposes a solution designed to provide adequate protection for the reputation of public figures, which may be defined as "constructive mandatory retraction." Under the proposed solution, courts handling public figures' libel actions against the media would be empowered to grant a new remedy, namely, a declaratory judgment stating that the falsity of the defaming publication has been established by clear and convincing proof, accompanied by an injunctive relief ordering the defendant to report on that decision in a prominent manner. Courts may grant this …

Betting On Success: Can The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act Help The United States Achieve Its Internet Gambling Policy Goals, James N. Brenner

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This note addresses the effectiveness of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in achieving the United States' policy goals on tnternet gambling. This note does not discuss the wisdom of the United States' policy on Internet gambling, or the wisdom of the government's choice to prohibit, instead of regulate, Internet gambling to achieve its policy goals. Rather, this note focuses on whether or not the UIGEA adequately addresses the policy concerns over offshore Internet casinos. First, this note discusses federal laws, treaties, proposed legislation, and policy concerns which address Internet gambling. Second, this note discusses the language of the …

The Teach Act: Recognizing Its Challenges And Overcoming Its Limitations, Oren R. Griffin, Stephana I. Colbert

Articles, Chapters in Books and Other Contributions to Scholarly Works

Technological advancements centered on the Internet, distance education, and digitally transmitted information have created tremendous opportunities for educational institutions. Congress enacted the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act) to exploit these opportunities and provide educators with an important tool to take advantage of the information super-highway. While the Congressional intent of the Act has merit, its provisions arguably create troubling obligations and potential liability for colleges and universities. This article discusses challenges presented by the TEACH Act and proposes modifications intended to address some of the most troubling aspects of the Act.

Should Property Or Liability Rules Govern Information?, Mark A. Lemley, Philip J. Weiser

Publications

This Article focuses on an unappreciated and significant aspect of the debate over property rules in the technology law context. In particular, it argues that the classic justification for legal entitlements protected by a property rule - i.e., a right to injunctive relief - depends on the ability to define and enforce property rights effectively. In the case of many technology markets, the inability to tailor injunctive relief so that it protects only the underlying right rather than also enjoining noninfringing conduct provides a powerful basis for using a liability rule (i.e., awarding the relevant damages to the plaintiff) instead …

Does Liability Enhance Credibility?: Lessons From The Dmca Applied To Online Defamation, Olivera Medenica, Kaiser Wahab

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Cope-Ing With The Future: An Examination Of The Potential Copyright Liability Of Non-Neutral Networks For Infringing Internet Content, Alex Pisarevsky

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Recent Second Circuit Opinions Indicate That Google's Library Project Is Not Transformative, Matt Williams

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Performance Anxiety: The Internet And Copyright's Vanishing Performance/Distribution Distinction, Jonah M. Knobler

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

A Complete Property Right Amendment, John H. Ryskamp

ExpressO

The trend of the eminent domain reform and "Kelo plus" initiatives is toward a comprehensive Constitutional property right incorporating the elements of level of review, nature of government action, and extent of compensation. This article contains a draft amendment which reflects these concerns.

Through The Looking Glass: Runaway Productions And "Hollywood Economics", Adrian H. Mcdonald

ExpressO

This paper uses the issue of runaway production as a looking glass into the complex world of Hollywood economics and politics. As such, a broad overview of Hollywood's business practices, history, and technology are discussed so the reader can understand how runaway production (a major issue itself) is one piece of the Hollywood puzzle. Specifically, this paper attempts to study runaway productions from the Law and Economics approach described in Judge Richard Posner's text on the subject. Events in 2006 illustrate the continuing importance of runaway productions and CEIDR's August 2006 report is discussed in this paper.

Recently expanded, this …

The Beginning Of The End To A Tax-Free Internet: Developing An E-Commerce Clause, Pamela Swidler

Cardozo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Information Privacy As A Function Of Facial Recognition Technology And Wearable Computers, Woodrow Barfield

ExpressO

As technological advances are made in the design of smart sensors, the issue of privacy in public places, first discussed by Warren and Brandeis in 1890, becomes an important topic for law and policy. This paper examines issues of privacy that are impacted when an individual’s image is recorded by a video-based wearable computer, analyzed using facial recognition software, and uploaded to the internet. While the Constitutional basis of search and seizure law for individual’s placed under video surveillance is reviewed, a particular focus of the paper is on a less investigated but emerging area of concern, the video recording …

Bond Repudiation, Tax Codes, The Appropriations Process And Restitution Post-Eminent Domain Reform, John H. Ryskamp

ExpressO

This brief comment suggests where the anti-eminent domain movement might be heading next.

A Trade Dress Approach To The Protection Of Radio Brands, Christopher S. Reed

ExpressO

Over the past ten to fifteen years the radio industry has undergone dramatic changes in terms of both programming and the economic model that underlies the industry’s very existence. Despite the widespread industry consolidation that took place after the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, advances in technological innovation have lead to a diversity of new media options that have changed the way that people consume radio programming and the way advertisers reach their target audiences. Broadcasters have responded by creating niche-oriented formats designed to attract more narrowly defined segments of the listening population. As the programming becomes more …

Fair Use And The First Amendment: Corporate Control Of Copyright Is Stifling Documentary Making And Thwarting The Aims Of The First Amendment, Paige Gold

ExpressO

Documentary motion pictures constitute a crucial part of contemporary public debate, because in today’s highly consolidated mass media environment, documentaries offer the kinds of independent voices that the First Amendment was designed to protect. However, current intellectual property practices are chilling speech by forcing documentary filmmakers to tailor their films to accommodate new, strict licensing practices. When filmmakers are compelled to edit their work to meet insurance requirements, it harms the interests of not just the filmmaker, but also the public. Thus, the “clearance culture,” in which anything and everything that could possibly lead to a lawsuit must be cleared, …

The Economics Of Build-Out Rules In Cable Television, George S. Ford, Thomas M. Koutsky, Lawrence J. Spiwak

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Firms that wish to offer wireline, multichannel video programming services in direct competition with cable incumbents are being faced with calls by those incumbents and policymakers to "build-out" to entire communities as a pre-condition to receiving a franchise. This article argues that build-out mandates are actually counter-productive and serve primarily to deter new entry, increase the profits of incumbents, and harm consumers. Using both a theoretical model and an empirical simulation, the article demonstrates that build-out rules cause new video entrants to bypass certain communities entirely and to sharply lower the number of communities in which new network construction would …

Idea Protection In California: Are Writers Too Readily Compensated For Their Screenplays, Kelly Rem

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This article argues that the current scope of idea protection in the film industry favors writers over producers. By undervaluing the rights of the producers, the current state of the law could have a chilling effect on film production that is damaging to society as a whole. Requiring a showing of a common element between a writer's work and a producer's alleged copy of the writer's work, and presenting a similarity of subject matter and story line, will strike a better balance between these competing interests.