THE LAW AND POLITICS OF INTERNET ACTIVISM:
THE YES MEN, PETA, RTMARK, AND THE PHENOMENON OF PARODY WEBSITES
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry discusses the recent phenomenon of parody websites and domain
names -- some of which so closely parallel the originals that they can be
easily confused with them. How can one tell a true parody from a copyright
and trademark-infringing site that merely causes confusion? Ramasastry
explains important decisions, one involving a parody by 2 Live Crew of Roy
Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman," and another involving a claimed parody PETA
website that advocated eating meat and wearing fur.
Wednesday, Jun. 05, 2002
THE CONSTITUTION AND SPAM:
IS THERE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO SEND UNSOLICITED FAXES AND EMAIL?
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry discusses a recent Missouri federal district court ruling holding
that a federal statute banning unsolicited commercial faxes violates the
First Amendment. Ramasastry also compares and contrasts the laws applying
to, and the social costs and burdens of, unwanted telemarketing calls,
unsolicited commercial faxes, and annoying "spam" email advertisements.
Thursday, May. 02, 2002
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF
"CONFLICT DIAMONDS," GEMS WHOSE MINING AND EXPORT IS
TAINTED BY VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry explains how a diamond ring purchased in the U.S. may be tainted
by terrorist origins, and what the U.N., NGOs, and the U.S. are doing to
remedy the situation. Among other points, Ramasastry comments on bipartisan
legislation currently being considered by the Senate to address the "conflict
diamonds" problem, and the likely results of the recent Kimberley Agreement
on the same topic.
Wednesday, Apr. 03, 2002
THE CYBER SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT'S "GOOD FAITH DISCLOSURE" EXCEPTION:
A SERIOUS THREAT TO INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry discusses the proposed Cyber Security Enhancement Act, which is
currently being considered by the House Judiciary Committee. Ramasastry
argues that the bill, which goes further than the prior USA Patriot Act,
should be amended in order to avert what will otherwise be significant
privacy infringements, relating to email and to electronic communications
generally.
Thursday, Mar. 28, 2002
MICHIGAN'S CYBERCOURT:
WORTHY EXPERIMENT OR VIRTUAL DAYDREAM?
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry discusses Michigan's cybercourt. The optional cybercourt will
allow electronic filing, "virtual" attorney appearances, and other
technological innovations to be implemented in a class of business and
commercial disputes; it is Michigan's bid to become the first-choice forum
for high tech companies. So far commentators have tended to applaud the
futuristic court, but Ramasastry notes it might have a downside as well.
Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2002
DRAGNET LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WON'T WORK:
WHY "VOLUNTARY" POLICE INTERVIEWS OF MIDDLE-EASTERN
VISITORS
ARE BOTH WRONGFUL AND INEFFECTIVE
FindLaw columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita Ramasastry
critiques legislation proposed by Senator Jesse Helms and supported by the
Bush Administration. The legislation would deny U.S. military assistance to
countries (except for NATO allies) that join the International Criminal
Court. Ramasastry contends that the legislation will alienate our allies and
countries with which we want to ally, yet will not achieve its goal of
protecting American servicemembers abroad.
Monday, Dec. 17, 2001
THE PROBLEM WITH THE AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBERS' PROTECTION
ACT:
WHY WE SHOULD NOT PUNISH COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATE
IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
FFindLaw columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita Ramasastry
critiques legislation proposed by Senator Jesse Helms and supported by the
Bush Administration. The legislation would deny U.S. military assistance to
countries (except for NATO allies) that join the International Criminal
Court. Ramasastry contends that the legislation will alienate our allies and
countries with which we want to ally, yet will not achieve its goal of
protecting American servicemembers abroad.
Wednesday, Nov. 07, 2001
WE DON'T NEED A SECRET NEW "CYBER COURT" FOR HACKERS:
WHY THE GILMORE COMMISSION'S RECENT PROPOSAL SHOULD BE REJECTED
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita
Ramasastry critiques the new proposal from the government's anti-terrorism
commission, for the creation of a secret "cyber court" to address computer
crimes. Ramasastry previews how the court would work assuming that (as seems
very likely) it would resemble the current Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act court, and argues that having a specialized, secret court to deal with
all cyber crime is a bad idea.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001
FOLLOW THE MONEY, AND FOLLOW IT FAST:
THE NEED FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FISCAL COALITION TO FIGHT MONEY LAUNDERING
FindLaw guest columnist and University of Washington law professor Anita Ramasastry urges us quickly to improve domestic and international policing of money laundering -- the insertion of illegally obtained money into the stream of commerce, so that "dirty" money appears "clean" -- as a crucial part of the war on terrorism. Ramasastry surveys current international and U.S. money laundering solutions, and advises how they should be improved.
Monday, Oct. 15, 2001
INDEFINITE DETENTION BASED UPON SUSPICION:
HOW THE PATRIOT
ACT
WILL DISRUPT MANY LAWFUL IMMIGRANTS' LIVES
Friday, Oct. 05, 2001
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