Blog Référencement Publicityweb - Legal and Privacy

Nude-photo site wins injunction against Google

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 18:24:05 +0100

According to a Los Angeles judge, some Google images are violating US copyright laws. The Perfect 10 company just won the preliminary injunction against Google.

Google vs DoD about secret search results : the saga continues

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 18:09:31 +0100

Google refused to share its search datas to the US government, unlike Yahoo and MSN : they apparently want to protect their user's privacy (and, perhaps more importantly, their precious datas). And they paied a hard price : Google saw its largest 1-day loss ever.

Now, they post their Response to the DoJ motion on the official Google blog. If you're really curious, you can even read the 25-page pdf file containing the entire response.

Consumers Should Not Use New Google Desktop

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 09:27:57 +0100

Google today announced a new "feature" of its Google Desktop software that greatly increases the risk to consumer privacy. If a consumer chooses to use it, the new "Search Across Computers" feature will store copies of the user's Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets and other text-based documents on Google's own servers, to enable searching from any one of the user's computers. EFF urges consumers not to use this feature, because it will make their personal data more vulnerable to subpoenas from the government and possibly private litigants, while providing a convenient one-stop-shop for hackers who've obtained a user's Google password.

"Coming on the heels of serious consumer concern about government snooping into Google's search logs, it's shocking that Google expects its users to now trust it with the contents of their personal computers," said EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston. "If you use the Search Across Computers feature and don't configure Google Desktop very carefully—and most people won't—Google will have copies of your tax returns, love letters, business records, financial and medical files, and whatever other text-based documents the Desktop software can index. The government could then demand these personal files with only a subpoena rather than the search warrant it would need to seize the same things from your home or business, and in many cases you wouldn't even be notified in time to challenge it. Other litigants—your spouse, your business partners or rivals, whoever—could also try to cut out the middleman (you) and subpoena Google for your files."

Microsoft censors Chinese blogger

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:39:52 +0100

"Microsoft has admitted to removing the blog of an outspoken Chinese journalist from its MSN Spaces site, citing its policy of adhering to local laws"

But censorship on the internet doesnt allways work. Those who can read Chineese can found the new (Chineese) version of the censored blog which will perhaps be translated in English.

Spammer lands $11 billion fine

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:11:20 +0100

A small Iowa ISP should won $10 per spam from James McCalla, from Florida, who sent 280 million illegal spam e-mail messages. Yes, $11.2 billion!

Now, spammers will learn that their actions would result in an economic death penalty.

Article: Spammer lands $11 billion fine
Src: The Inquirer

Claim back £300 per spam (Directive 2002/58/EC)

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:42:41 +0100

Good news : spammers get caught, and begin loosing trials, thanks to european privacy laws.

"Net expert Nigel Roberts has won a landmark legal victory by chasing down a UK spammer and winning £300 in costs."

"The case will also highlight the EU anti-spam law (Directive 2002/58/EC) and its practical effectiveness."

Microsoft may face daily EU fine

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 17:55:07 +0100

"The European Commission has threatened to fine Microsoft up to 2m euros (£1.36m; $2.4m) a day until it gives rivals more access to its systems."

Article: Microsoft may face daily EU fine
Src: BBC News

The current U.S. Patent system is harming innovation

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:35:49 +0100

"The current U.S. system is harming innovation. A simplified process with stronger patents would encourage economic growth"

Article: Cutting Through the Patent Thicket
Src: BusinessWeek