News & Media
Did Perez Hilton violate federal child porn laws?
Perez Hilton is in a little hot water today — it seems that he posted a photograph of Miley Cyrus getting out of a car, Britney Spears style. (source) In other words, no panties. I haven’t seen a full version of the photo, but there are versions online where Miley’s twat is covered by a big black square. Here’s the
Colorado Supreme Court strikes down constitutional amendment limiting public employees' speech
By J. DeVoy Some states have enacted laws and even constitutional provisions that affect public sector labor unions’ political speech and participation. In Colorado, for example, the state’s constitution was amended to ban political contributions and their inducement by public unions. Because of a presumption of impropriety between contributions to any campaign and sole source government contracts, contract holders shall
FSM Displays His Awesome Might
His blessed sauceliness has declared, “Thou shalt have no other monsters before me.” H/T Jessica K.
Ninth Circuit Hears Critical First Sale Doctrine Case
By Christopher Harbin Once again the record industry is attempting to prop up their failing business model by redefining consumer rights in heinous fashion. This week, the Ninth Circuit heard arguments in a crucial case that may substantially alter first sale rights. For those that aren’t up on their copyright law, the “first sale” doctrine dictates that once a copyright
The world cup's financial motives
By J. DeVoy South Africa is a nation long plagued by strife and difficulty, and still today it has one of the highest crime rates in the world. The country has had tremendous difficulties preparing for this year’s World Cup in Johannesburg, which almost seems like a cruel joke the Fédérdation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) played on the struggling
Women are vocal during sex for his pleasure, not hers
By J. DeVoy A new study shows that female vocalizations – the shrieks and “oh gods” of sex – have little to do with women’s orgasms and everything to do with men’s. The research indicated that female orgasm was most commonly achieved during foreplay, yet the majority of women’s vocalization occurred during intercourse and closest to the male orgasm. The result? These data
NORML Settles Copyright Case With Righthaven After Rare Strategic Maneuver
Discusses the settlement brokered between RLG client, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and Righthaven LLC, a company that sues website operators for copyright infringement. Noting that the litigation would have cost in excess of $10,000, Randazza settled the matter for $2,185. Remarkably, this was done through Rule 68 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
Naw, Really?
From the cover of the June 2010 “Vermont Catholic” magazine. Okay, feel free to suggest your captions for the above photo below.
Teen girls using "rhythm method" increase 55%
By J. DeVoy A recent CDC report shows that from 2006-2008, 17% of surveyed teen girls were using the rhythm method of birth control, up from 11% in 2002. For those unfamiliar with this method, there isn’t too much “method” to it – the girl just tries to time her cycle and avoid intercourse when she’s fertile. This tends to
Ashley Madison dating service shows more strength
By J. DeVoy I previously wrote about Ashley Madison‘s growth in Toronto, which alone contributes more than 12,000 women married for less than three years to the site’s total membership. Now it has thrown down an undisclosed sum to sponsor the 2011 AVN Awards Show. The AVN awards show, viewed by more than two million households during its 2010 broadcast
Reposting Stories Is Like Grand Theft Auto? Really?
Clarifies a copyright infringement analogy found in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that compared infringement to stealing a car. Randazza pointed out that copyright infringement doesn’t steal property so its owner cannot use it, but dilutes the ways in which it can be used for a profit. The Las Vegas Review-Journal, through an entity known as Righthaven LLC, is suing alleged
Postscript – we totally were right
By J. DeVoy How To Destroy Angels, Trent Reznor’s new project, released its new album free of digital rights management and cost. The “free” download is available here — but by accepting it, you consent to have band-related e-mail sent to that account. On the revenue side, there’s traditional band merchandise like shirts and posters, and the album will be
NASA photographs reveal extent of BP oil leak
By J. DeVoy Discussing the environment normally isn’t our schtick, but technology is another matter. NASA’s imaging technology has captured the following images of the growing Gulf spill, helping those not in the region get a sense of the slick’s scope and significance. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCWW5xt3Hc8&hl=en_US&fs=1&] Of course, that’s just oil visible from the surface. The leak is a mile underwater where
Blondes having more fun
By J. DeVoy If you were in Riga, Latvia this Memorial Day weekend, you would have seen the 2010 Go Blonde parade. Naturally, (no pun intended) there are photos. H/T: Ferdinand
GooGoo For Gaga Feminism
By Tatiana Von Tauber Lady Gaga is one rockin’ feminist and seemed rather proud of it during her interview with Larry King: “ Some of the things that I wear … lots of the new more original pieces, they’re meant to be kind of a rejection of what people view about women… I am a feminist. I want to change the way
Barbecue Heaven
On my flight yesterday, I had the good fortune to meet the world’s leading expert on the art of barbecue cooking, Steven Raichlen. In addition to being a hell of a fascinating guy, he is a hell of a nice guy. (There was only one milk left on the plane, and he gave it up to Natalia — awww).
Hulk Hogan Brings Questionable Right of Publicity Suit
Hulk Hogan a/k/a Terry Bollea thinks that a character in a Cocoa Pebbles commercial (shown below) is too similar to him — and that it misappropriates his image or likeness for a commercial purpose. If that is the case, it is a no-no under Fla. Stat. § 540.08, which protects Floridians from unlawful commercial appropriation of their name or likeness.
LSAT improvement: $8-11.5k
By J. DeVoy The LSAT summer intensive preparation regimen from Kaplan: $7,999 for the program; $11,499 with housing included. Ready to do anything it takes to achieve a powerhouse LSAT score? Then, immerse yourself in the most concentrated LSAT prep experience ever: 6 weeks in a distraction-free setting—300 hours of nothing but LSAT prep with an all-star faculty and in-depth
How does Hulu work, then?
By J. DeVoy New records indicate that Google offered Viacom $592 million to license its shows and movies to YouTube shortly after acquiring the video website. This revelation stems from Viacom’s ongoing copyright suit against Google and YouTube, filed in March 2007. In a deposition given by Google co-founder Larry Page on October 1, 2009, a Viacom lawyer pointed out
Joe Francis Cease and Desist Fail
by Christopher Harbin Joe Francis, of Girls Gone Wild fame, is a fine, upstanding gentleman with an impeccable record of conduct. Too bad his lawyers can’t seem to get their websites straight when issuing cease and desist notices. I wish you all the best, Mr. Francis.
