TLo Supports the 2019 Florida Media Conference
Attorney Susan Tillotson Bunch and attorney Linda R. Norbut participates as panel members that looks at social media within the confines of the law and medical marijuana. The Florida Media Conference was held July 10-12 at The Vinoy in St. Petersburg. An early morning session on July 12, 2019, featured Susan Tillotson Bunch, attorney with Thomas…
“Alexa – Don’t Record Me!” — Lawsuit Claims Amazon Violated Privacy Laws
TLo attorney Jon M. Philipson is interviewed by WTSP Reporter Katie McCall regarding privacy law and the recent Amazon lawsuit. A federal lawsuit charges that “Alexa,” the virtual assistant smart home device created by Amazon.com violates privacy laws in eight states by making permanent recordings of children’s voices without their consent. Florida is one state where…
TLo Attorney Jon Philipson Discusses O.J. Simpson and Twitter
A reflection on First Amendment rights, free speech and how they relate to social media. Thomas & LoCicero attorney Jon M. Philipson was interviewed yesterday by WTSP-TV, Channel 10 regarding the issues of free speech and First Amendment rights in response to recent comments recently tweeted by O.J. Simpson on his Twitter account. Mr. Philipson discussed…
Communication with Third Parties and Attorney-Client Privilege
Linda Norbut reflects upon a recent trademark infringement suit and the issue of attorney-client privilege. A magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has found that the attorney-client privilege was waived when a client’s public relations representatives were looped in on email threads between client and attorney, rendering…
Non-Profits Ask Supreme Court to Decide What States Can – and Cannot – Copyright
Daniela Abratt reflects on the conflict between the First Amendment and a state’s ability to copyright the text of its laws. What, if anything, can a government copyright? A handful of non-profit organizations are pushing the U.S. Supreme Court to answer that question and provide uniform guidance to states with varying definitions. While it is well-established that…
U.S. Supreme Court Issues Two Unanimous Decisions Interpreting The Copyright Act
Linda Norbut reflects upon how the Copyright Act will be impacted by two recent Supreme Court decisions. In a pair of unanimous decisions construing the Copyright Act, the U.S. Supreme Court has tightened pre-suit registration requirements and the costs that can be awarded in infringement litigation. In Fourth Estate Public Benefit Corporation v. Wall-Street, LLC,, the Court…
Thomas’ Views on New York Times v. Sullivan Undermine First Amendment
Daniela Abratt reflects upon how views recently shared by Supreme Court Justice Thomas may erode freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has called for a change in the entire defamation law landscape as it has existed for over 50 years. In a concurring opinion filed on February 19, 2019…
No Copyright Love for the ‘Carlton Dance’
Jon M. Philipson reflects upon a recent denial by the U.S. Copyright Office Contrary to the perceptions of many children of the ‘90s, the “Carlton Dance”, in the eyes of the United States Copyright Office, is merely “a simple routine made up of three dance steps, the first of which is popularly known as ‘The…
Attorney Comments on Florida Senate’s Consideration of Significant New Legislation
The Legislature continues to consider new measures to close Florida’s access to public records. Thomas & LoCicero attorney Jon M. Philipson was quoted by WUFT News regarding how the Florida Senate is attempting to move a step closer to prohibiting police from releasing audio, photographs or video of mass killings unless a court gives them permission. If the proposed…
TLo Partners Serve at ABA Forum on Communications Law
Five partners are participating in leadership roles at the 24th Annual ABA Forum. Thomas & LoCicero is proud to serve as a sponsor for the American Bar Association’s Forum on Communications Law being held at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami this week. The conference explores the leading-edge legal issues facing media and communications lawyers…