In this era when new media challenges old media for content and attention, we provide representation that spans the needs of both old and new media, from newspapers and magazines and their publishers, reporters and writers, to Internet and Web-based media, including websites, bloggers, podcasters and other content providers. Our media law practice includes:
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First Amendment matters, such as the right to speak and publish freely, the protection of confidential sources, and the prohibition against censorship and imposition of inappropriate government restrictions on speech and the press.
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Defense of libel, slander, defamation, and invasion of privacy claims, as well as claims for "negligent publication" and other efforts to impose liability on the media for speech and content.
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Copyright protection and infringement, and other intellectual property concerns.
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Access to courts and government meetings, and to government and other public records through state open records law and federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which often requires litigation to enforce.
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Pre-publication review of content. Pre-publication review can reduce or eliminate the potential for litigation over defamation, privacy and intellectual property.
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Preparing and reviewing contracts for authors, publishers, bloggers and other content providers.
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Responding to subpoenas, takedown notices, and cease-and-desist letters.
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Obtaining insurance coverage for media claims.
The legal challenges facing today’s new media have multiplied with their emergence. The growth of the Internet means that virtually anyone can be sued for defamation or copyright infringement in any jurisdiction where the offending content is received. This unlimited potential for liability in cyberspace requires legal counsel who not only can defend new media against such content-based claims, but also prevent them from ever arising through thorough pre-publication review. Our media law practice is geared toward meeting these new challenges.