Exam 14: Internet Law, Social Media, and Privacy

Penalties exist for anyone who circumvents encryption software or other technological antipiracy protection.

The employees of Eco Engineering Inc. share company-related resources among multiple computers without requiring a central network server. This is

The law restricts the "fair use" of methods for bypassing encryption software for noncommercial purposes.

Fact Pattern 14-2 CallTalk Corporation, a smartphone and phone-time seller, chooses to use and register "calltalk" as its domain name. Later, CallTalk's less successful competitor, CellTalk Company, chooses to use and register "caltalk" (an intentional misspelling of "calltalk") as its domain name. Still later, Call&Talk, Inc., uses the domain name "callltalk" (also a deliberate misspelling of "calltalk") without CallTalk's authorization, to sell pornographic phone conversations. -Refer to Fact Pattern 14-2. Call&Talk's use of the domain name "callltalk," without CallTalk's authorization, to sell pornographic phone conversations, is

About half of the states have enacted legislation to protect individuals from having to disclose their social media passwords.

In some states, an unsolicited e-mail must include a toll-free phone number that the recipient can use to ask the sender to send no more unsolicited e-mail.

In an attempt to combat spam, thirty-seven states have enacted laws that prohibit or regulate its use.

Much of the material on the Internet, including software and database information, is not copyrighted.

Sonya and other employees of TransGlobal Inc. maintain a password-protected social media page on which they post comments on work-related issues. The posts range from positive to negative, supporting the page's purpose to "vent about work." When TransGlobal learns of the page, the company intimidates Sonya into revealing the password, and after reviewing the posts, fires her and the other participants. Which federal law discussed in thisChapter most likely applies to this situation? Has this law been violated? Discuss.

Mobile Device Company (MDC) discovers that defamatory statements about its policies and products are being posted in an online forum. NuView Inc., the Internet service provider whose users are posting the messages, refuses to disclose the identity of the person or persons responsible. MDC should

An internal company network can better protect the company's trade secrets.

"Bad faith intent" is too subjective to be an element of a cause of action under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act.

Online defamation is wrongfully hurting a person's reputation by communicating false statements about that person to others online.

Employees' posts on social media may be protected under labor law.

Federal wiretapping law covers electronic forms of communication.

Federal law prevents a provider of communication services-such as a cell phone company-from divulging private communications to certain entities and individuals.

BurgerBoy Restaurant Corporation allows its trademark to be used as part of a domain name for BurgerBoyNY, Inc., an unaffiliated company. BurgerBoyNY does not obtain ownership rights in the mark. This is

Using a domain name that is identical or similar to the trademark of a competitor represents an attempt to profit from the competitor's goodwill.

Sales & Revenue, Inc., discovers that defamatory statements about its policies and products are being posted in an online forum. TransWeb Inc., the Internet service provider whose users are posting the messages, refuses to disclose the identity of the person or persons responsible. Sales & Revenue files a suit against the anonymous users. The plaintiff can obtain from TransWeb the identity of the persons responsible for the defamatory messages by

Fact Pattern 14-1 Sound Financials Corporation sends daily e-mail ads to its previous customers and those who have opted to receive the notices. Instable Investments, Inc., sends e-mail ads to any e-mail address that Instable can find on the Web or otherwise generate. -Refer to Fact Pattern 14-1. One of the advertisers-either Sound Financials or Instable Investments-is acting within the bounds of federal law. Federal law permits the sending of