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January 2010

MediaLawLetter May 2010

PUBLICATION:

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MLRC

MLRC Digital Conference A Success!
Third Annual Legal Frontiers in Digital Media Conference

LIBEL & PRIVACY

N.H.: Supreme Court Enhances Newsgathering Privilege and Establishes Standard for Disclosure of Anonymous Speaker
Court Also Rejects Prior Restraint
The Mortgage Specialists, Inc. v. Implode Explode Heavy Industries, Inc.

Kan.: Kansas Supreme Court Reverses Jury Award in BTK Case
Truth a Defense to Tort of Outrage
Valadez v. Emmis Communications, et al.

N.J.: New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Sweeping Decision Bolstering Fair Report
Rejects Initial Pleading Exception to Privilege
Salzano v. North Jersey Media Group, Inc.

Tex. App.: Website That Publishes “Unfiltered Truth” Not Liable For User Comments
Section 230 Bars Libel Claims; No Facts to Support Emotional Distress Claim
Milo v. Martin

N.Y. Sup.: Publisher Loses Misappropriation Case Over Book Cover
Use of Plaintiff’s Photo on Novel Deemed “Commercial”
Yasin v. Q-Boro Holdings, LLC and Urban Books, LLC

D.N.J.: Comedian’s Schtick About In-laws Not Defamatory
Statements Were Expressions of Opinion, Not Allegations of Fact
Edelman v. Croonquist

Ill.: Court Significantly Reduces Punitive Damages In Defamation Per Se Case Rejecting Evidence Of Defendant‟s Malicious Intent
Decision Can Be Used to Establish High-Bar for Punitive Damages
Slovinski v. Elliot

Cal.: Supreme Court Narrowly Construes “Commercial Speech” Exemption to Anti-SLAPP Statute
Legal Advertisement Not Outside Scope of Protection
Simpson Strong-Tie Co. v. Gore

Mass. Sup.: A Tale of Two Issues: “Public Figure” and “Public Concern” Decided in Bifurcated Massachusetts Trial
Global NAPs, Inc. v. Verizon New England Inc.

ACCESS

Ga.: Georgia Passes Law to Prevent Release of Graphic Crime Scene Photos
Public Records Request from Hustler Prompts Fury
Meredith Emerson Privacy Act

Cal. Sup.: Gizmodo Search Warrant Affidavit Unsealed
Journalist’s House Searched, Computers Seized After Report on iPhone Prototype
State v. Chen

INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Case-by-Case Privilege for Confidential Sources
Common Law Protection Clarified and Strengthened
R v. National Post

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK

2nd Cir.: Second Circuit Alters Copyright Injunction Standard
Circuit Finds “Catcher in the Rye” Sequel to be “A Phoney”
Salinger v. Colting

5th Cir.: Fifth Circuit Affirms Defense Verdict in Keyword Advertising Trial
Jury Found No Likelihood of Confusion to Sustain Trademark Claim
College Network, Inc. v. Moore Educ. Publishers, Inc.

FIRST AMENDMENT

N.D. Fla.: Statute Prohibiting Disclosure of Police Officer Information Unconstitutional
Plaintiff Was Arrested for Posting to Ratemycop.com
Brayshaw v. City of Tallahassee

ETHICS

Ethics Corner: How A Properly Drafted Engagement Letter Can Save You