Legal Niches

Last week, Microsoft sent a DMCA notice to Network Solutions complaining about cryptome.org, a website which "welcomes documents for publication that are prohibited by governments worldwide, in particular material on freedom of expression, privacy, cryptology, dual-use technologies, national security, intelligence, and secret governance -- open, secret and classified documents -- but not limited to those."  Network Solutions shut down the website, causing an uproar among civil libertarians.  Now, Microsoft says it didn't intend to close the site, just have the site remove a copy of the company's "spy guide."

A judge in California has dismissed a defamation suit brought by Magic Jack, maker of a USB dongle for Voice Over Internet (VOIP) service, against Boing Boing.  The Court "ruled that Magic Jack's complaint -- about a Boing Boing item that accused Magic Jack of being a "snoop" because it planned to serve ads based on phone numbers users called -- was barred by California's broad anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) statute. That law provides for a quick dismissal of lawsuits that are aimed at squelching debate about matters of public interest. Adams also ordered Magic Jack to pay Boing Boing more than $50,000 in attorneys' fees and court costs, the Web publisher announced today. "

Each weekend, E-Commerce Law Briefs provides a brief summary and commentary on recent legal news affecting e-commerce businesses.

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