Copyright Law Violations Explained

Summary

Downloading movies without permission violates copyright law. Registering similar domain names to deceive is typosquatting. Circumventing DVD encryption is addressed by the DMCA. In defamation cases, social media posts can be obtained before trial. Employers can terminate employees for violating social media policies. Teachers derogatory posts can lead to termination. Blogging rumors may lead to defamation claims. ISPs arent liable for user content under CDA Section 230. No privacy expectation on public social media posts. Cookies track browsing data. FTC investigates privacy complaints. ECPA protects against unauthorized access to private accounts. Internal networks protect trade secrets.

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Ron reserves the domain name www.wamart.com before Wal-Mart does, which directs a user to a Web site which he has set up that sells retail goods online. Ron's action is known as: a. cybersquatting. b. typosquatting. c. meta tagging. d. goodwill infringement.
Ron’s action is known as *b. typosquatting*. This involves registering domain names that are similar to well-known trademarks with the intention of deceiving visitors.
Do you need more information on how to address typosquatting legally in California?
Sean is researching federal law to determine if there are civil or criminal penalties associated with the circumvention of the encryption software on a DVD. He should find the: a. Digital Millennium Copyright Act. b. Digital Anti-Piracy Act. c. Digital Copyright Act. d. Digital Anti-Circumvention Act.
Sean should look into the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This federal law addresses the circumvention of encryption software on DVDs and outlines both civil and criminal penalties.
Do you need more information on the DMCA or any other legal topic?
Irene sues Mark for defamation. During the lawsuit, Irene wants to obtain Mark's posts on his social media. Irene will: a. be prevented from obtaining Mark’s social media posts because of federal privacy law. b. be allowed to obtain Mark’s social media posts only through testimony at trial. c. be allowed to obtain Mark’s social media posts before the trial begins. d. be prevented from obtaining Mark’s social media posts because of state privacy law.
Irene will likely be allowed to obtain Mark’s social media posts before the trial begins. This is essential for discovery in defamation cases to gather evidence.
Would you like more details on the discovery process in California defamation cases?
Takota Retail discovers that Barry, one of its employees, has disparaged the company's selling practices on Facebook. Takota Retail has a policy in place that expects employees to "avoid public comment that adversely affects the company." Takota Retail can: a. terminate Barry as long as it agrees to provide a severance package in advance of the discharge. b. terminate Barry based on his violation of the company’s social media policy. c. not terminate Barry because it would violate Barry’s First Amendment rights. d. not terminate Barry because it would violate state privacy law.
Takota Retail can b. terminate Barry based on his violation of the company’s social media policy. In California, private employers are generally allowed to terminate employees who violate company policies, including social media policies, as long as the policies are not infringing on protected rights.
Do you need more information on employment law or social media policies in California?
Michael, a teacher, posts derogatory comments about his fellow teachers and students on his Facebook page and is subsequently terminated. His posts likely: a. are protected by the First Amendment, and his termination will be overturned. b. violated school policy, and his termination will be upheld. c. will be construed as harmless fun, and his termination will be overturned. d. are a violation of the social media labor laws, and his termination will be upheld.
Michael's posts likely:
- violated school policy, and his termination will be upheld.
In California, teachers are generally held to professional standards, and derogatory comments about colleagues and students can violate school policies, which may justify termination.
Would you like more detailed information on employment law and social media policies for teachers in California?
Lily began a blog, and she relays rumors and gossip that she hears in her hometown. She should be concerned about: a. trademark infringement. b. disclosing trade secrets. c. online defamation. d. copyright infringement.
Lily should be concerned about:
- Online defamation.
Relaying rumors and gossip can potentially harm someone's reputation and lead to defamation claims.
Would you like more details on defamation laws in California?
Comcast, an Internet service provider, provides internet service to Louis, who posts false and harmful statements about Madeline. Madeline will be able to win a lawsuit against: a. both Louis and Comcast for defamation. b. Comcast, but not Louis, for defamation. c. neither Louis nor Comcast for defamation. d. Louis, but not Comcast, for defamation.
Madeline will be able to win a lawsuit against:
- Louis, but not Comcast, for defamation.
In the United States, under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) Section *, internet service providers like Comcast are generally not held liable for the content users post.
Do you need more information on defamation laws in California?
Kevin has a reasonable expectation of privacy in sharing information online in all of the following situations except: a. posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram. b. entering credit-card information to purchase a product. c. entering personal banking information on a banking Web site. d. sending an e-mail to his physician
Kevin has a reasonable expectation of privacy in sharing information online in all of the following situations except:
a. posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram.
Posting on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram is generally considered public, and thus, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
Do you need more information on privacy laws in California?
usan is concerned about online retailers collecting data about her Web-browsing activities, also known as: a. domain name. b. meta tags. c. spam. d. cookies.
Susan's concern about online retailers collecting data about her web-browsing activities relates to cookies. Cookies are small files stored on your device by websites you visit, which track your browsing behavior.
Would you like more information on privacy laws in California regarding cookies and online data collection?
Jennifer has filed a privacy complaint against Google. The federal agency to conduct an investigation of consumer complaints is the: a. Federal Aviation Administration. b. Federal Communications Commission. c. Federal Trade Commission. d. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Since Jennifer has filed a privacy complaint against Google, the appropriate federal agency to conduct an investigation of consumer complaints is:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Do you need more information on how to proceed with the privacy complaint or any related privacy laws in California?
Ben's employer reviewed his personal communications at work and then fired Ben. Ben has a viable claim for a violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act if his employer: a. reviewed Ben’s work e-mail on his work computer. b. reviewed Ben’s telephone calls on his work phone. c. accessed Ben’s voicemail on his company-issued cell phone. d. accessed Ben’s private Facebook page by guessing his password.
Ben may have a viable claim under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) if his employer:
- Accessed Ben’s private Facebook page by guessing his password (Option d).
Would you like more details on the ECPA or additional legal guidance regarding workplace privacy in California?
Unobtainium Venture Capital (UVC), a new venture capital start-up, wants to create a place for employees to communicate and share files, but wants to minimize its potential risk to competitors by protecting its trade secrets that the shared data may contain. UVC should utilize: a. standalone PCs. b. an internal social network. c. a public social media site. d. e-mail.
UVC should utilize:
- An internal social network (Option b).
This option allows secure communication and file sharing within the company, minimizing the risk of trade secrets being exposed to competitors.
Would you like more information on setting up secure internal networks or any other legal concerns for your startup in California?