W8.2 The Law of Social Media

It would be impossible to cover all the laws regarding social media in all the countries represented in this course. What I'll do here is share some of the cases that have come up in the U.S. Law. I think that it's fairly safe to say that the same kinds of issues will arise in other countries, but the laws that apply will be different. Note: I am not a lawyer, and if you get into trouble over social media, you should consult a lawyer, not these materials.

We'll begin with the excellent blog series by Glenn B. Manishin (aka @LexDigerati Links to an external site.), from "Lawyering in the Digital Age" on the Law of Social Media (written in 2010). There have certainly been a lot of cases since this time, but this is a good starting point:

• Part I: Why the Law of Social Media is Tricky Links to an external site.
• Part II: Who owns user generated content? Links to an external site.
• Part III: Trademarks, Genericide & “Twittersquatting” Links to an external site.
  
• Part V: Don’t Touch My Junk: Who Owns This Social Media Sh#t Anyway? Links to an external site.
• Top 4 Social Media Cases of 2010 Links to an external site.
• Six Social Media Law & Policy Megatrends (from 2010) Links to an external site.

Then for a more up-to-date look, we'll go to this more current lecture posted by Jeremy Floyd @jfloyd Links to an external site., March 31, 3013.

Description (from Jeremy Floyd): This lecture walks through the legal pitfalls of using social media from torts to protection for my digital marketing class Links to an external site.. Includes case studies from Phonedog, Pizza Kitchen, Red Cross, Kitchen Aid, and Chrysler.

Social Media and the Law 2013: Actions to Policy Links to an external site.