A rise in attacks by hackers in 2011 is showing limits of an older generation of security software from Symantec Corp. (www.symantec.com) and McAfee Inc. (www.mcafee.com) and is placing pressure on these high-tech companies to upgrade products. These and similar companies are seeking to keep up with cloud computing and…
Internet Lawyer Blog
Mall Owners Embrace New and Emerging Technologies
Mall owners are harnessing digital technology to stem an erosion in their tenant base by online retailing and to promote shopper attendance to their centers. Hammerson which is a leading European real estate company in London, United Kingdom (http://www.hammerson.com) plans to use a system which tracks shoppers to its malls…
U.S. Senators Demand Response on Cyber Warfare Policies
On July 20, 2011, according to the leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Defense Department has failed to deliver to Congress a report on cyber warfare policies which may clarify the legal authorities and rules of engagement to be used in the event of a cyber attack. Senators…
Google Loses Bid to Seal Records in Patent Case With Oracle
Google, Inc., which is currently the world’s largest Internet search company, lost its bid to seal legal documents in a patent-infringement lawsuit filed sometime in 2010 by Oracle, Corp. (ORCL). Google’s attempt to seek protection of portions of a transcript related to expert witnesses under the attorney-client privilege was futile.…
Intellectual Property RE: Apple-Samsung Patent Issues
Apple, Inc. (AAPL)’s patent complaint which seeks to block imports of Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy S mobile phone and Galaxy Tab computer will be reviewed by the International Trade Commission (ITC). See also http://www.usitc.gov The ITC, which is a quasi-judicial agency in Washington, D.C., arbitrates such trade disputes and announced…
Sixteen Individuals Arrested in the U.S. for Alleged Roles in Cyber Attacks
According to the FBI, fourteen individuals were arrested on July 19, 2011 based on charges related to their alleged involvement in a cyber attack on PayPal’s website (www.paypal.com) as part of an action claimed by the group Anonymous. In addition, two more defendants were arrested on other cyber-related charges. Read…
News Corp Web Hacking and 9/11 Victim Probe
The FBI is in the beginning stages of its probe of News Corp. (NasdaqGS: NWSA) as investigators evaluate whether United States charges can be brought over claims employees hacked into a rival’s website and sought access to phone records of victims of the 9/11 attacks, a person who is familiar…
SEC States Companies Should Disclose Cyber Attacks in Filings
The Securities and Exchange Commission stated that publicly-traded companies should disclose the threat and potential impact of cyber attacks that pose a risk to their investors. The commission made its comments in a letter to Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, that was released on June 8,…
Should the United States Plan for a Smarter Defense Against Cyber-Villains
The threats from cyberspace grow more powerful and pernicious. Companies like Sony Corporation, Google Inc., and Lockheed Martin have admitted startling security lapses. The International Monetary Fund, last month suffered a breach leading to the loss of highly sensitive data. The United States Congress and executive branch agencies face approximately…
Obama Summons Lawmakers for Deficit Talks
President Barack Obama is summoning top congressional Republicans and Democrats to a rare Sunday meeting at the White House to begin “hard bargaining” on a broad debt-reduction deal. At the July 10 session Obama will make his latest bid to break a partisan impasse over whether to include cuts in…