Internet & New Media

Legal Advice for Electronic Age Companies

Nearly every business employs a method of new media in its business model, from a simple website to an active blog, e-commerce, or content creation for downloading to handheld and wireless devices. Just as the format of information exchange is transforming from paper-based to paperless, the laws governing such exchange are also changing. Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff helps clients stay on the cutting-edge by keeping up-to-date on this new and ever-evolving body of law, integrating it with our full-service business model to help clients employ the Internet and other methods of new media advantageously.

Our lawyers advise clients on a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from planning a website, contracts and joint ventures to prosecuting and defending false advertising claims. Senior partner involvement on every engagement ensures that each client receives comprehensive advice in the timely manner required to compete effectively in today’s world of real-time information exchange.

Our Services

Web sites

• Negotiation of Web site developer agreements
• Review Web site content
• Draft and review privacy policies, disclaimers, and terms and conditions of use
• FTC and regulatory compliance
• Trademark and copyright selection, registration and maintenance
• Domain-name disputes and cyber-squatting
• Prosecution and defense relative to infringement of trademarks, trade names, trade dress, patents and copyrights
• Advice relative to social networking sites and user-generated content

Internet Transactions

• Data collection and privacy issues
• Regulatory compliance
• Online licensing and marketing agreements
• Electronic contracts

Unfair Competition

• Litigation in state and federal courts involving unfair competition, false or misleading advertising, gray-market goods, and breaches of contract
• Restraining orders and injunctions

Advertising and Promotions

• False advertising claims
• Response to FTC enforcement actions
• CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and other regulatory compliance

Software Development and Licensing

• Advice relative to the development, acquisition, licensing, integration, and implementation of software and hardware systems
• Resource planning, software customizations, licensing projects, and new system acquisitions (traditional and Internet-based)
• Contracts

Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures and Partnerships

• Ventures between software developers and customers that can include multiparty ownership, licensing, customization, and maintenance provisions
• Franchising, licensing, and Consent-to-Use Agreements
• Partnership Agreements for creation and delivery of content to wireless devices and other media

Achievements

Contacts:

Benjamin Alexander
Andrew Apfelberg
Nancy C. Morgan
Bernard Resser
Greg Sater (practice group leader)
Natasha Shabani