Michael Liedtke

February 21, 2006 | Law.com

Hoping to satisfy U.S. regulators, Netflix appears ready to revise a proposed class action settlement so 6 million consumers eligible for a free sample of its online DVD rental service aren't automatically charged after the one-month offer expires. Under an initial settlement reached five months ago, Netflix agreed to offer free DVDs for one month to anyone who had been subscribing before Jan. 15, 2005.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

April 05, 2006 | Law.com

Online DVD rental service Netflix on Tuesday accused Blockbuster of illegally copying its ideas in a patent infringement suit challenging the video store chain's recent Internet expansion. The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, focuses on the online wish lists that prioritize the DVD desires of about 5.4 subscribers to either Netflix or Blockbuster's Internet service. Netflix also believes its patents cover the popular feature of renting DVDs for an unlimited time without late fees.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

December 12, 2007 | Legaltech News

Ask.com has unveiled a new privacy control, "AskEraser." The control purges users' search requests from the search company's data banks within a few hours. With the launch, Ask.com hopes to establish itself as the Internet's least intrusive search engine.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

May 25, 2005 | Law.com

A group of academic publishers is challenging Google Inc.'s plan to scan millions of library books into its Internet search engine index, highlighting fears the ambitious project will violate copyrights and stifle future sales. The plan "appears to involve systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale," wrote Peter Givler, the executive director for the New York-based Association of American University Presses, in a letter to Google. The company said it offers protections to copyright holders.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

May 04, 2006 | Legaltech News

Microsoft Corp. will pay $70 million to thousands of California government agencies in the latest legal settlement spurred by price-gouging allegations against the world's largest computer software maker. The proposed truce covers a wide range of taxpayer-backed agencies -- from local school districts to regional transportation systems -- that bought Microsoft products dating back to 1995.

By Michael Liedtke

2 minute read

November 10, 2006 | Law.com

Google's online video service has been sued for copyright infringement, providing a possible preview of the legal trouble that may plague the company after it takes over YouTube and its library of pirated clips, the company said Wednesday. In the filing, Google acknowledged it could face more copyright suits once the $1.65 billion YouTube deal closes. A theory widely circulated on the Internet speculated that Google had set aside $500 million of the YouTube purchase price to pay copyright settlements.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

January 24, 2007 | Law.com

Sharper Image has agreed to offer more than $60 million in credits to settle a class action alleging it misled customers about the effectiveness of its "Ionic Breeze" air purifers. A Florida man said he paid several hundred dollars for an Ionic Breeze to help remove dust, pollen and other particles from the air, only to find it didn't work as advertised. The retailer cited scientific studies validating the product's effectiveness, but concluded settling was in its "best interest," court papers said.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

November 07, 2006 | Legaltech News

Microsoft Corp. has upgraded its online mapping service to include three-dimensional tours of 15 U.S. cities, another step in its pursuit of Internet search leader Google Inc. Microsoft is hoping to upstage Google's popular "Earth" software.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

July 11, 2007 | Law.com

Averting a looming court battle over how it has been handling a steady exodus from its Internet dial-up service, AOL has agreed to make it easier for its remaining customers to leave as part of a $3 million settlement with 48 states and the District of Columbia. The resolution was driven by complaints from AOL customers who said they were thwarted in attempts to close their accounts or discovered that they were still being billed for services that they thought had been canceled.

By Michael Liedtke

3 minute read

January 17, 2006 | Law.com

A proposed settlement affecting Netflix Inc. subscribers has been delayed due to complaints that it favors the online DVD rental service and lawyers who sued the company. Anyone who accepts the offer will have to cancel the service after a month or will be automatically charged. "This settlement is a striking example ... of class-action settlements that provide substantial benefits to the defendants and class counsel but little or no relief to the class," the public interest law firm argued.

By Michael Liedtke

4 minute read