Intellectual Property Law

Sheboygan Woman Files 'Landmark' Case Over Web Links

By Marty Schwimmer

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Sheboygan Women (sic) Files Landmark Case Over Web Links":

Boyden said some companies require other Web sites to get permission to link to them, but he knew of no companies, much less a government body, that have tried to enforce violations of that condition if the links didn?t infringe on a copyright or trademark.

Boyden said not all speech is protected, including links. For instance, someone might use a link to communicate a threat or violate a copyright, and that wouldn?t be protected.

The lawsuit doesn?t show how Reisinger used the link to Sheboygan police or the city?s cease-and-desist order, but Boyden said it appeared from the lawsuit to be protected speech.

Full post as published by Trademark Blog on August 25, 2008 (boomark / email).