Month: July 2017

EU Antitrust Policy: Favoring Innovation over the Googles’ of the World

/ Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts / 1 Comment

Picture1By Amela Zukic

As many of us have heard, the European Commission recently slapped Google with a 2.7-billon dollar antitrust fine for allegedly favoring its own comparison-shopping service, an illegal practice in the EU. Google now has 90 days to cease this practice or it could face a fine of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of its parent company, Alphabet. While many in the U.S. may reject this decision, the EU’s ruling reflects its underlying goal of fostering innovation and should not be quickly dismissed. Continue reading →

Spotify Proposes $43 Million Settlement Class Action Lawsuit for Unlawful Distribution of Copyrighted Music

/ Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts / Leave a comment

Picture1By: Adam Roberts

Popular music streaming service Spotify has agreed to pay $43.45 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by a collection of songwriters and music copyright holders.  The class plaintiffs allege that Spotify unlawfully distributed their music to consumers without paying what are known as ‘mechanical royalties.’  Mechanical royalties are the payments made to a songwriter which gives one the legal right to reproduce a piece of music.  Under Section 115 of the Copyright Act, services like Spotify must pay mechanical royalties for all songs streamed on their web service.  Although the class action has reached a proposed resolution, there may still be legal issues in seeking court approval of the settlement.  Continue reading →

Texting Too Far

/ Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts / Leave a comment

Picture1

By Ari Robbins

On Friday, June 16th, a Massachusetts Juvenile Court Judge found twenty-year old Michelle Carter guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of Conrad Roy III. Carter was found guilty of recklessly causing Roy III’s death. However, when eighteen-year old Roy III took his own life in 2014, he was alone. Roy closed himself in his truck in a Walmart parking lot and allowed a generator to fill his truck cab with carbon monoxide until he died. When he killed himself, Roy hadn’t spoken to Carter in person for over a year. The two maintained a close relationship entirely through text and e-mail. Continue reading →