News & Media
Glenn Beck's UDRP Complaint Gets The Smack Down
First Amendment juggernaut Marc Randazza is having a very good week. On Wednesday, Professor Donald Marvin Jones a/k/a the “Nutty Professor”voluntarily dismissed his invasion of privacy lawsuit against Randazza’s client Above the Law. Today, word comes that WIPO Arbitration Panelist Frederick M. Abbot has denied Glenn Beck’s UDRP complaint against another Randazza client, Isaac Eiland-Hall, the man behind www.glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com … Read more …
Marc Randazza’s Arbitration Win Over Glenn Beck
Free Speech Wins Again. The Decision is available here: Glenn Beck v. Isaac Eiland Hall, WIPO Case No. D2009-1182 Other case documents available here: Complaint Request for Stipulation Response and annexes. Supplemental Filing Surreply I am delighted that I got this decision today, which is the birthday of my friend and mentor, Larry Walters. Larry, this win is hereby dedicated to you. Happy Birthday. UPDATE: Respondent Isaac Eiland-Hall voluntarily gives Beck the domain, saying “point made, sir.” Another Update: The Brown Tweed Society does a three part story on the case. In this discussion, the author really gets to the heart of the matter and provides strong analysis of the case and its pleadings. Heck, the BTS also criticizes some
Asshat or Imbecile?
Lets say you make $94,000 a year in a great job as a clerk at the Massachusetts Court of Appeals. Lets then say that some kid emails you asking you to write a term paper for him for $300, and you agree to do it. Does that make you an asshat or an imbecile? Now lets say that the “kid” was really an undercover investigative reporter. That makes you screwed. Damian Bonazzolli, the man in question, even wrote to the undercover reporter that there was nothing illegal about writing a term paper for money. In an email exchange, Bonazzolli said turning in a paper that he had written would not be illegal. “I am aware of no state or federal
Sweet Home Trademark Infringement FAIL
The University of Alabama needs to fire its attorneys and fire its public relations department. Daniel Moore is a famous artist who has devoted his painting career to depicting scenes from Alabama football games. Some dim wit at the University of Alabama decided that A) this violated the University’s trademarks (because Moore painted the players in their crimson and white uniforms) and B) that it might be a good idea to sue him for trademark infringement. Moore denied violating trademark laws and claimed his art is speech protected by the U.S. Constitution. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Propst, in an opinion issued Monday, rejected the university’s argument that Moore’s paintings violated trademark law by showing Alabama players in their crimson
The domain business is full of sleazes? O RLY?
I am shocked… SHOCKED to hear that in domain name auctions, “SnapNames admitted that one of its executives was shill bidding…” The article accurately states: Anyone who doesn’t know how dirty the domain name business is just doesn’t know the domain name business.(source)
Wonderful Things
Science fact of the day: Blowjobs provide an evolutionary advantage. Boingboing. Quote of the day: “The First Amendment means nothing if we don’t protect reprehensible speech.” Jon Katz.
I shaved my balls for this?
Well, that was fast. This lawsuit got filed, and before I got to have any real fun with it… the Above the Law Lawsuit was dismissed. I got to write one measly letter. Shame… I was really hoping to open up this can of whup ass I have lying around. Now what am I gonna do with it? Hat tip to commenter #9 for the title.
Shame on Maine
Maine’s citizens have voted to repeal the civil rights of their neighbors. Shame on Maine. I wonder how this vote squares with the Maine Constitution. Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’
Boulder Police Chief, Mark Beckner, You are the Asshat of the Week
Beckner is exactly the kind of petty little douche that becomes a cop because he got beat up too much as a kid. Rod Farva and Salvatore “dude” Rivieri come to mind. Beckner represents exactly the kind of cop that should be stripped of his badge, covered in shit and bees, and then rolled off a cliff in a shopping cart. Why? Because when people don’t respect his authoritah, he decides that it is time to use draconian sex offender laws to get his way. Beckner’s previous claim to fame was running the JonBenet Ramsey case. Bang up job you did there, Beckner. Now, as police chief, he’s ready to put a stop to a rampant sex offense that is
Mattel finally learns how to "chill"
by Jason Fischer One of the chores inherent in the practice of law is that one has to read a lot of really REALLY dry court opinions. It’s always nice when you find judges out there who recognize this, and make some effort to keep it interesting. One of my favorites from law school has always been Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc., 296 F.3d 894 (9th Cir. 2002). Well, this week saw an interesting footnote added to that opinion. The Back Story Most will probably remember that there was an annoying pop song, which was recorded back in the 90’s, called “Barbie Girl.” The group Aqua‘s single claim to fame was a huge success, despite being about as appealing
Is the Recession Over?
This seems to suggest that it might be… but what the hell do I know?
Gov. Schwarzenegger tells the California legislature how he really feels
The Governator sent, along with some unsigned bills, the following letter to California lawmakers. (source)
Scientology is a Fraud? No ham for me! Pass the Jesus, please. Nom nom nom
The French decided to indict the Church of Scientology for fraud. If found guilty, the church could be forced to shut down in France, though appeals could see the case continue for years. “This is a process in heresy,” Daniele Gounord, the spokeswoman for Scientology in France, told reporters. The two plaintiffs, both women, say they were defrauded by the organization, which is classified as a sect in France. Their complaints focus on the use of a device that Scientologists say measures spiritual well-being. Members use the electropsychometer, or E-Meter, to “locate areas of spiritual duress or travail so they can be addressed and handled,” according to Scientology’s Web site. (source) So lemme get this straight: Scientology is a “fraud,”
Hiring a Legal Asistant 101
Helpful hints for finding and hiring a legal assistant: Make sure you use an online listing service. Craigslist is always a good one. Always do a good job of describing what you’re looking for. Use explicit language, whenever possible. For example, stating that you are seeking an “energetic woman” for “general secretarial work, some paralegal work and additional duties for two lawyers” seems to be a winner. Next, in addition to a resume, be sure to ask for some personal information, such as photographs and “a description of your physical features, including measurements.” When you receive applications, always follow up with an email, including more information about what the position entails. Here’s a great example of the kind of thing
Eat Your Dog
Looks like one of the least eco-friendly things you can do is … have a dog. Of course, SUV hating hippies all have dogs. So, what’s a hippie to do?
Constantin Film Produktion GmbH makes movie about Hitler and then turns into a bunch of Nazis
If you haven’t seen a Downfall spoof, or you don’t know what I am talking about, you are not meme-educated enough to keep reading. Go to YouTube, and search for “Hitler” and “Downfall.” Watch a few videos and come back. For the rest of you, come over this way… I got the greatest Downfall video ever. Yeah, right here! It seems that the producers of Downfall, Constantin Film Produktion GmbH., have been sending DMCA notices to YouTube to get them taken down. SIE SIND ASSHATTEN!!! These notices should be responded to with a 512(f) suit, as these videos are fair use (and even a moron in a hurry would know that). Not only that, they are great marketing for the
AutoAdmit Case Euthanized
Article in the Yale Daily Journal does a good job of covering it.
