House Judiciary Committee Approves PRO IP Act
4/30. The House Judiciary Committee (HJC) amended and approved HR 4279 [LOC | WW], the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007" or "PRO IP Act". The HJC revised the language regarding coordination of government enforcement efforts, and regarding forfeiture of property used in intellectual property crimes. The HJC approved a managers' amendment [PDF] by unanimous voice vote. The HJC then approved the bill as amended by voice vote.

AOUSC Releases Report on Title III Wiretaps in 2007
4/30. The Administrative Office of U.S. Courts (AOUSC) released its report titled "2007 Wiretap Report". It contains data on Title III intercepts, but not Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) intercepts. It finds that "A total of 2,208 intercepts authorized by federal and state courts were completed in 2007, an increase of 20 percent compared to the number terminated in 2006."

Court of Appeals Rules in Rambus v. FTC
4/22. The U.S. Court of Appeals (DCCir) issued its opinion [24 pages in PDF] in Rambus v. FTC, a antitrust case regarding Rambus's participation in the JEDEC standards setting process and assertion of patent rights. The Court of Appeals set aside the FTC's order concluding that Rambus violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act.

Supreme Court Seeks Solicitor General Brief in Case Regarding 11th Amendment and Patents
4/21. The Supreme Court issued an order in Biomedical Patent Management v. California Department of Health Services. requesting the Solicitor General to file an amicus brief. At issue in this case is the ability of states to enforce their own patents and other intellectual property rights, while as the same time evading lawsuits for their infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. The Supreme Court held in a string of bizarre opinions ten years ago that states have sovereign immunity in intellectual property litigation, and that the Congress cannot abrogate that immunity. The cert petition in the present case addresses when that immunity might be waived.

Reps. Lofgren and Cannon Introduce Cell Tax Fairness Act
4/15. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) and others introduced HR 5793 [LOC | WW], the "Cell Tax Fairness Act". This bill would impose a five year moratorium on new and discriminatory state and local taxes on mobile services.

Bills Introduced to Stop IRS from Taxing Employees for Work Cell Phones and Other Devices
4/14. Several bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that would remove "any cellular telephone (or other similar telecommunications equipment)" from the enumeration of "listed property" under Section 280F of the Internal Revenue Code. At issue is whether the Internal Revenue Service can treat the use of cell phones and other devices paid for by employers as income to employees, as well as record keeping and data retention requirements imposed upon employers and employees.

11th Circuit Rules on Web Page Meta Tags and Trademark Infringement
4/7. The U.S. Court of Appeals (11thCir) issued its opinion [33 pages in PDF] in North American Medical Corporation v. Axiom Worldwide, a trademark infringement case involving the use of meta tags in the source code of web pages.

Federal Circuit Receives Amicus Briefs Re Business Method Patents and Patentable Subject Matter
4/7. Various entities filed amicus curiae briefs with the U.S. Court of Appeals (FedCir) in In re Bernand Bilski and Rand Warsaw, an appeal from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI), regarding patentable subject matter.

En Banc 9th Circuit Panel Rejects Section 230 Immunity in Roommates.com Case
4/3. An en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals (9thCir) issued its 8-3 opinion [PDF] in FHCSFV v. Roommates.com, a Section 230 immunity case. The majority held, as did the three judge panel, that an interactive computer service, such as Roommates.com, can be held liable for the speech of users, despite language to the contrary in Section 230. Moreover, the majority held, the web site's search and e-mail notification functions, have no immunity.

Copyright Office Section 108 Study Group Releases Report
3/31. The Copyright Office's (CO) Section 108 Study Group released a report [252 pages in PDF] titled "The Section 108 Study Group Report". This massive report contains a library sector wish list of exemptions to liability for copyright infringement that it proposed to be added to 17 U.S.C. § 108. However, this list is tempered by the involvement of several well organized copyright sectors -- especially the movie, music, and software industries. Many other copyright interests would be harmed if the proposals in this report were enacted into law.

FCC Order Cites Wikipedia
3/27. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the text [34 pages in PDF] of an order, opinion, and notice of proposed rulemaking that, among other things, orders direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators to carry each station in a local market on the same terms, including carriage of high definition (HD) signals in HD format, if any broadcaster in the same market is carried in HD. This order, at footnote 30, cites as an authority a web page in the Wikipedia web site. The FCC does not have a history of citing and relying upon Wikipedia articles in rulemakings, adjudications, or other administrative processes. Wikipedia states that "all information read here is without any implied warranty of fitness for any purpose or use whatsoever".

Comcast and BitTorrent Reach Accord on Network Management Practices
3/27. Comcast and BitTorrent announced that "they will undertake a collaborative effort with one another and with the broader Internet and ISP community to more effectively address issues associated with rich media content and network capacity management." See, Comcast release and substantially identical BitTorrent release. Also, the two companies stated that there is no need for government intervention. The FCC is currently considering a request for intervention.

FCC Releases Details of 700 MHz Auction
3/21. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released details regarding the winning bidders in Auction 73, which is also known as the 700 MHz auction. Verizon Wireless (VW) and AT&T dominated the winning bids. AT&T's winning bids totaled over $6 Billion. VW's winning bids totaled more than $9 Billion. All bids totaled over $19 Billion. However, T-Mobile and Sprint-Nextel acquired spectrum in Auction 66 in 2006, which is also known as the AWS-1 auction.

8th Circuit Affirms Injunction of State Regulation of Violent Video Games
3/17. The U.S. Court of Appeals (8thCir) issued its opinion [8 pages in PDF] in Entertainment Software Association v. Swanson, affirming the District Court's permanent injunction against enforcement of a statute of the state of Minnesota that prohibits minors from purchasing or renting certain video games.

7th Circuit Applies Section 230 Immunity in Craigslist Case
3/14. The U.S. Court of Appeals (7thCir) issued its opinion [10 pages in PDF] in Chicago Lawyers v. Craigslist, a Section 230 interactive computer service immunity case. The Court of Appeals affirmed the summary judgment of the District Court for Craigslist on Section 230 grounds.

See also:
 • Top Stories from 2008.
 • Top Stories from 2007.
 • Top Stories from 2006.
 • Top Stories from 2005.
 • Top Stories from 2004.
 • Top Stories from 2003.
 • Top Stories from 2002.

2008
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-29
2007
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-31 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2006
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-31 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2005
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2004
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-29 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2003
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March  21-25 | March 26-31 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30  | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-30 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2002
Jan 1-5 | Jan 6-10 | Jan 11-15 | Jan 16-20 | Jan 21-25 | Jan 26-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | March 1-5 | March 6-10 | March 11-15 | March 16-20 | March 21-25 | April 1-5 | April 6-10 | April 11-15 | April 16-20 | April 21-25 | April 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec 26-31
2001
Jan. 1-10 | Jan 11-20 | Jan 21-31 | Feb 1-5 | Feb 6-10 | Feb 11-15 | Feb 16-20 | Feb 21-25 | Feb 26-28 | Mar 1-5 | Mar 6-10 | Mar 11-15 | Mar 16-20 | Mar 21-25 | Mar 26-31 | Apr 1-5 | Apr 6-10 | Apr 11-15 | Apr 16-20 | Apr 21-25 | Apr 26-30 | May 1-5 | May 6-10 | May 11-15 | May 16-20 | May 21-25 | May 26-31 | June 1-5 | June 6-10 | June 11-15 | June 16-20 | June 21-25 | June 26-30 | July 1-5 | July 6-10 | July 11-15 | July 16-20 | July 21-25 | July 26-31 | Aug 1-5 | Aug 6-10 | Aug 11-15 | Aug 16-20 | Aug 21-25 | Aug 26-31 | Sept 1-5 | Sept 6-10 | Sept 11-15 | Sept 16-20 | Sept 21-25 | Sept 26-30 | Oct 1-5 | Oct 6-10 | Oct 11-15 | Oct 16-20 | Oct 21-25 | Oct 26-31 | Nov 1-5 | Nov 6-10 | Nov 11-15 | Nov 16-20 | Nov 21-25 | Nov 26-30 | Dec 1-5 | Dec 6-10 | Dec 11-15 | Dec 16-20 | Dec 21-25 | Dec  26-31

See also, hyperlinks to earlier News By Date.

Tech Law Journal covers legal, legislative, and regulatory issues affecting the computer, Internet, information, and communications industries. This includes legislation pending in the U.S. Congress, litigation and court opinions, and the activities of relevant federal departments, agencies, and commissions, including the FCC, FTC, NTIA, and DOJ Antitrust Division.

The web site has been continuously published since March of 1998. The TLJ Daily E-Mail Alert has been published since August of 2000.

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Tech Law Journal is published by David Carney.

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P.O. Box 4851, Washington DC, 20008.

Alert No. 1,762, Wednesday, May 7.
 • House IP Subcommittee Approves Orphan Works Bill
 • House Commerce Committee Members Advocate Keeping ICANN and Root Server System in US

Alert No. 1,761, Tuesday, May 6.
 • DHS Under Secretary Discusses Terrorism and the Cyber Realm
 • Senators Request Information Regarding Federal Cybersecurity Initiative

Alert No. 1,760, Monday, May 5.
 • DC Circuit Receives Briefs in Challenge to FCC CPNI Opt-In Rules
 • FCC Adopts Cap on High Cost Universal Service Support
 • What Shakespeare Had to Say About XBRL and Interactive Data

Alert No. 1,759, Friday, May 2.
 • Microsoft Withdraws Offer to Acquire Yahoo
 • DC Circuit Upholds FCC 800 MHz Band Reconfiguration Orders
 • Rep. Dingell and Rep. Markey Seek Open Devices Requirement for Satellite Radio

Alert No. 1,758, Thursday, May 1.
 • House Judiciary Committee Approves PRO IP Act
 • 9th Circuit Dismisses Slamming Complaint Against VOIP Provider
 • AOUSC Releases Report on Title III Wiretaps in 2007
 • Sen. Stevens Introduces VOIP Regulation Bill
 • DOJ Seeks En Banc Rehearing in Nacchio Case

Alert No. 1,757, Wednesday, April 30.
 • EPIC Argues for Civil Penalties for Companies that Fail to Protect Personal Information on Their Networks
 • District Court Denies John Doe P2P Infringer's Efforts to Quash Subpoena to ISP
 • Bush Administration Opposes Pence/Boucher Free Flow of Information Act

Alert No. 1,756, Tuesday, April 29.
 • EC Releases Report on US Barriers to Trade and Investment
 • Presidential Candidates, Political Parties and Free Trade
 • Rep. King Introduces Free Speech Protection Act
 • Supreme Court Upholds State Statute Requiring Photo ID to Vote

Alert No. 1,755, Monday, April 28.
 • FCC Releases Inspector General's D Block Investigation Report
 • OUSTR Releases 2008 Special 301 Report
 • Sen. Baucus Introduces Tax Extenders Bill that Includes Extension of R&D Tax Credit
 • Sen. Collins Introduces Bill to Extend R&D Tax Credit for 5 Years

Alert No. 1,754, Friday, April 25.
 • DC Circuit Grants Petition for Review of FCC BPL Order
 • New Jersey Supreme Court Holds Individuals Have Expectation of Privacy in ISP Records
 • 10th Circuit Considers Product Bundling and Discounts Under Colorado Competition Law
 • Rep. Eshoo Introduces M2Z Spectrum Bill
 • Rep. DeFazio Introduces Bill to Ban Use of Cell Phones on Scheduled Flights
 • Reps. Rush and Upton Introduce Bill to Allow E-Rate Subsidies to be Used for Emergency Notification Services

Alert No. 1,753, Thursday, April 24.
 • Senate Commerce Committee Approves Resolution Condemning FCC Media Ownership Order
 • 4th Circuit Addresses Availability of Statutory Damages for Theft of Satellite Signals
 • SEC Chairman Addresses Marriage of IFRS and Interactive Data
 • Kroes Discusses Proposal for Euro Class Action Antitrust Litigation
 • Oxford and Cambridge Sue Georgia State for Online Infringement of Scholarly Works

Alert No. 1,752, Wednesday, April 23.
 • Court of Appeals Rules in Rambus v. FTC
 • Supreme Court Denies Cert in Bankruptcy Case Involving Spectrum Licenses
 • SEC Files Complaint Against Broadcom Over Backdated Stock Options

Alert No. 1,751, Tuesday, April 22.
 • Supreme Court Seeks Solicitor General Brief in Case Regarding 11th Amendment and Patents
 • 9th Circuit Holds that 11th Amendment Bars Reverse Condemnation Actions Against States in Federal Courts
 • Senate to Proceed on Agee Nomination to 4th Circuit

Alert No. 1,750, Monday, April 21.
 • Bush and Lee Urge Congressional Approval of US Korea FTA
 • Federal Reserve Paper Advocates Benefits of Free Trade in Services
 • 10th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Class Action Against Qwest

Alert No. 1,749, Thursday, April 17.
 • Sen. Hatch Discusses R&D Tax Credit and U.S. Competitiveness
 • IRS Budget Proposal Decreases Funding for Business Systems Modernization Despite IG's Warning About Data Security and ID Theft
 • Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Child Exploitation Via the Internet
 • District Court Sends AOL Pricing Plan Suit Back to State Court
 • GAO Reports on Sale of Sensitive and Stolen Military Items on eBay and Craigslist

Alert No. 1,748, Wednesday, April 16.
 • Reps. Lofgren and Cannon Introduce Cell Tax Fairness Act
 • House Passes Tax Bill with Cell Phone Tax Provision
 • Supreme Court Rules on State Taxation of Lexis/Nexis Sale Capital Gain
 • 7th Circuit Applies FCRA to Wireless Communications

Alert No. 1,747, Tuesday, April 15.
 • Comcast and Pando Networks to Create P2P Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
 • IRS Commissioner Shulman Testifies Regarding Electronic Filing
 • President Bush and Senate Democrats Reach Compromise on 6th Circuit Nominees
 • Sen. Specter Questions Presidential Candidates on Keisler Nomination

Alert No. 1,746, Monday, April 14.
 • FTC Receives Comments Regarding Online Behavioral Advertising
 • House to Consider Tax Bill That Removes Cell Phones From IRC 280F
 • House Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing on Bill to Provide Federal Funding to Schools for Surveillance Equipment
 • SEC General Counsel Predicts SEC Will Soon Propose Making XBRL Mandatory
 • FCC Enforcement Bureau Recommends Denial of § 222 Complaint Against Verizon

Alert No. 1,745, Friday, April 11.
 • IRS Initiative Taxes Employees for Use of Work Cell Phones and Other Devices
 • Bills Introduced to Stop IRS from Taxing Employees for Work Cell Phones and Other Devices
 • District Court Dismisses Phone Tax Refund Claims
 • Commentary: Excise Tax and 280F Regime Compared
 • GAO Reports on Growth of Media and Regulation of Media Ownership

Alert No. 1,744, Wednesday, April 9.
 • OUSTR Releases Section 1377 Review of Telecom Trade Agreements
 • Inspector General Report Finds Lack of Security on IRS Networks
 • TACD Adopts Net Neutrality Resolution
 • 7th Circuit Addresses Libel Suits Involving Anonymous Posts to Web Sites

See also, headlines from:
 • January - May, 2008.
 • July - December, 2007.
 • January - June, 2007.
 • July - December, 2006.
 • January - June, 2006.
 • July - December, 2005.
 • January - June, 2005.
 • July - December, 2004.
 • January - June, 2004.
 • July - December, 2003.
 • January - June, 2003.
 • July - December, 2002.