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Legal Commentary: Anita Ramasasty Archive


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 Columns by Anita Ramasastry - Page 1  Most Recent | Page 1  

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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