Category: Internet Law

Domain names are valuable to companies and private individuals alike because they connect entities to the World Wide Web—the Internet Age’s most dynamic, expansive, and heavily trafficked marketplace. Whether dealing in goods, data, or ideas, an online presence is a necessity for almost everyone. However, like all other property, domain names can be stolen. This […]

If you are reading this, it is likely that the vast majority of your life’s questionable decisions are behind you. For late millennials and those in so-called Generation Z, the Internet has not only served as a source of research and entertainment, but it has also served as persistent documentary evidence of past actions and […]

We live in an intangible world. Our checks are directly deposited, we pay for goods with our phone, and our entertainment is available from anywhere with Wi-Fi. And while this is all extremely convenient, when digital assets go missing, we are left with a sense of hopelessness. This is especially true when Frozen has disappeared […]

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), codified as 18 U.S.C. § 1030, provides for civil actions arising out of various cyber infractions. The CFAA prohibits: (1) the unauthorized accessing (2) of a “protected” computer (3) with the intent to either (a) obtain information, (b) further a fraud, or (c) damage the computer or its […]

Various large website privacy policies have been scrutinized in the media lately, including those from Google, Reddit, and Facebook. No court has addressed at length whether a privacy policy constitutes an enforceable contract, but, under existing precedent related to clickwrap and browsewrap agreements, it is safe to presume that some privacy policies may be considered […]

Purchasing a domain name is one of the first and most important steps new businesses take in the Internet Age. But “purchasing” a domain name does not lead to ownership. In fact, domain names are technically leased from the domain name registry. This is a common misconception to be sure, and it’s important for domain […]

In the emerging world of data privacy breaches, new litigation makes clear that data breaches may ultimately destroy a business. In a recent case, the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has ruled that the FTC has the authority to investigate data breaches until a final action is issued by the regulatory body. […]

In 2014, we noticed a growing number of domain theft cases. These people contacted us with similar stories: their domain portfolio, usually full of revenue generating websites, has disappeared. Poof. Many times, the victims are not aware of the theft until days or weeks after it happened. In other words, they did not follow some […]

The prevalence of online advertising, the rise of websites that collect personal information (like social networking sites), and the enactment of several federal statutes protecting online users have resulted in more and more lawsuits claiming breaches of privacy. Many of these lawsuits have conglomerated into class action suits, which are more likely to be litigated […]

Not many people question the value of domain names. Multi-million dollar domain names are nothing new. But as we grow more comfortable understanding the true value of domain names, the steps users take to secure those domain names is severally lacking. This can lead to the stunning realization that a domain name has been transferred […]