Intellectual Property and the Internet: Copyright Infringement Liability in the Digital Era
In an era in which copyright-protected material can be replicated and transmitted across the globe with a few keystrokes, companies need to be vigilant about avoiding lawsuits, and perhaps even criminal prosecution, for inadvertent copyright law violations. Websites are particularly vulnerable to copyright issues because of their visibility and the ease with which copyright violations can occur in digital media. The borderless nature of the Internet can subject website owners and operators to liability under copyright laws not only in their home country, but throughout the world. Copyright infringement is only one of several closely related intellectual property exposures, including trademark, trade name and trade dress infringement, but it is the exposure that most readily can lead to mammoth claims.
Intellectual Property and the Internet: Copyright Infringement Liability in the Digital Era, a new Advisen briefing brought to you by Swett & Crawford, examines the copyright infringement exposures faced by all companies with an online presence. Most business websites are not likely to trigger copyright infringement suits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars, as has been the case with social network and file sharing sites such as MySpace and YouTube, but every website has the potential for inadvertently being in violation of increasingly complex copyright laws. In addition to valuable insights into exposures, this report also presents practical steps for avoiding copyright infringement trouble and explains the various types of policies available for insuring the risk.
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About Swett & Crawford
Swett & Crawford, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is owned by its employees and two private equity firms, HM Capital Partners and Banc of America Capital Investors
In its national network of offices, Swett & Crawford serves independent agents and brokers through specialized Property, Casualty, Oil & Gas/Energy, Professional Services, Transportation and Underwriting Practice Groups. These groups provide access to commercial insurance products and programs, including property and casualty coverages, products liability, professional liability, commercial and public auto liability as well as a host of customized binding authorities and exclusive programs tailored to specific industries, businesses and professionals.
