Legislation was introduced in the Senate yesterday to reform the USA PATRIOT Act. Introduced by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), The Judicious Use of Surveillance Tools In Counterterrorism Efforts (JUSTICE) Act would reform the…
Category: Laws
UK defamation law may adopt single publication rule
A news report on Out-Law.com today indicates that the U.K. government is considering using a “single publication” rule for internet postings involved in defamation lawsuits. Under existing UK law, every “hit” on a web page constitutes a re-publication, which makes it very difficult and costly for publishers/defendants. Although the single publication rule (which seems to…
French piracy bill approved
Associated Press reports that France’s lower house of parliament approved a law that would cut off internet access for illegally downloading music and films. By one estimate, 1000 people per day could be knocked offline if the bill becomes law, which looks quite likely. Although the details have to be worked out and the upper…
Two groups sue to block Arizona abortion laws
Casey Newton reports: Abortion-rights supporters filed lawsuits in state and federal court Monday, asking judges to block new Arizona laws that would restrict abortion access. In separate lawsuits, Planned Parenthood and the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights challenged the enactment of House Bill 2564 and Senate Bill 1175. Attorneys for the groups asked judges…