Internet Law Legal Questions

Andrew M. Jaffe Attorney at Law 2375 Covington Rd, Suite 315 Fairlawn, Ohio 44313-4358 (330) 983-4842 attorneyjaffe@aol.com www.LawyerJaffe.com If someone goes to one of the many sites that offer background checks on the Internet they often say that a particular name has a criminal background.  However, this is before the checker has paid the fee to see the total report, and often that reportt is of someone with the same name, but a different person.   If that someone you were talking to is threating you with some sort of exposure, do NOT send them any hush money.  This is blackmail and you should contact the police.  .  However, I always caution people not to enter the legal arena without speaking with an attorney first to avoid any unintended consequences.     You may want to consider hiring a lawyer to send a Cease-and-Desist letter to this someone.  While a cease-and-desist letter has little legal impact, the lawyer's letterhead gets the recipient’s attention.   This is a relatively inexpensive way to put the person on notice that you are not going to let these actions continue and that you are serious about pursuing your legal remedies.  It also tells the person that they could get in legal hot water which will cost them a lot of legal fees if nothing else.  This will often convince them to stop their evil ways.... Read More

You are a victim of extortion.  However, you do not want the information that is the source of the extortion to be revealed.  This is a tricky situation and you need the help of an attorney ASAP.   You will want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Choose an attorney from your locale to help you.  Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.    ... Read More

The 9th district, where you live, has recently decided a number of cases concerning crawling of accounts.  It would be beneficial to know more about your business model and how you are going to present it.   I would be happy to discuss your questions on the phone.  We can schedule a call for most any afternoon (Eastern time) including weekends.  There is no charge for this initial consultation and it is covered by attorney/client privilege.        ... Read More

Andrew M. Jaffe Attorney at Law 2375 Covington Rd, Suite 315 Fairlawn, Ohio 44313-4358 (330) 983-4842 attorneyjaffe@aol.com www.LawyerJaffe.com  I do not see a problem with continuing your normal processes for your page and continuing to log-in   You mentioned that it was a business page.  That implies that you have ongoing relationships with customers - As well as the others who have the right to sign in.   You may want to consider an agreement between those who sign and are still active in the business to create a contract that clearly relates your relationships and how the business is to be run.   You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers, including myself, offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

You will have many other questions as you seek to open an e-commerce web site.  In my experience, working with a lawyer as you begin will save you a lot of money in the future.   I have written a legal guide on this site with issues you will need to discuss with an  Internet attorney.  I have placed a link here for your convenience: http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/legal-steps-to-opening-a-new-e-commerce-website-app-or-blog   You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.  ... Read More

This question brings up many issues: 1. Copyright - who owns the right to use the pictures?  Generally, the photographer owns the copyright to a picture.  If the picture was taken from your social media then a DMCA take down notice should be effective. 2. What is the picture being used for - Your son has a right of personal publicity when it comes to someone using his picture for commercial purposes. 3. How old is your son? - Sometimes age can be a factor. Finally, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer to send a Cease-and-Desist letter.  While a cease-and-desist letter has little legal impact, the lawyer's letterhead gets the recipient’s attention.   This is a relatively inexpensive way to put the person on notice that you are not going to let these actions continue and that you are serious about pursuing your legal remedies.  It also tells the person that they could get in legal hot water which will cost them a lot of legal fees if nothing else.  This will often convince them to stop their evil ways.... Read More

My first suggestion would be to back up your personal data and pictures and then re-set your phone to the factory settings.  This should remove any hacker's programs on your phone.   While hacking your phone is a crime, the police tend to ignore these types of crimes and tell the victim it is a civil crime.  It is unusual for the police to get involved.   You should also check all your payment accounts on your phone to make sure they are still secure.   You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.    ... Read More

You don't want to sue these people as you really have no monetary damages to recoup.   You can reset your phone to the original factory settings or you can go to your provider and have them help with the problem.   You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers a free phone consultation. ... Read More

Dealing with a website’s customer service is often a difficult task.  If you do not resolve the issue with the first contact with them, future contact results in nothing but computer-generated responses which do not address your issues.   You don't want to sue them -- that will cost you a fortune, take many years, and you won't win.  You can however retain a lawyer to advocate for you.   In my experience, someone from the website will respond to a communication on a lawyer's stationary.  That response will come from someone at the website who has the ability to research the issue and the authority to take action if warranted.   You will want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

Changing one word is probably not enough.  You should consult with an attorney over this.   Further, if you are already running an e-commerce site there are other issues you need to be aware of that may affect your site and your liability.    I have written a legal guide on this site with issues you will need to discuss with an Internet attorney.  I have placed a link here for your convenience: http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/legal-steps-to-opening-a-new-e-commerce-website-app-or-blog   You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

This is a common scam on the Internet.  There is no girl, there is no mother or father or detective -- only Internet fraudsters.   Do NOT send them any money.  They are trying to blackmail you, and you are the victim here - not some young girl who does not exist.   Block them and do not communicate with them in the future.   I have never heard of these fraudsters actually posting the pictures because 1) It takes time and makes them no money, and 2) It makes it too easy for them to get caught.... Read More

You will have other questions you find as you seek to open an e-commerce web site or App.  In my experience, working with a lawyer as you begin will save you a lot of money in the future. I have written a legal guide  with issues you will need to discuss with an  Internet attorney.  I have placed a link here for your convenience: http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/legal-steps-to-opening-a-new-e-commerce-website-app-or-blog You may want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

What are you seeking here?  If you just want the picture taken down, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer to send a Cease-and-Desist letter.  While a cease-and-desist letter has little legal impact, the lawyer's letterhead gets the recipient’s attention.     This is a relatively inexpensive way to put the person on notice that you are not going to let these actions continue and that you are serious about pursuing your legal remedies.  It also tells the person that they could get in legal hot water which will cost them a lot of legal fees if nothing else.  This will often convince them to stop their evil ways.   If you are thinking you will get them to pay you a royalty, I doubt that will happen. Please feel free to contact me.  There is no charge for this initial consultation and it is covered by attorney/client privilege.  ... Read More

Posting your information creates no legal liability unless it came from information that the poster had an obligation to keep private under a privacy policy.  If that is the case, you could claim a data breach.   You will want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail.  Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

Dealing with a website’s customer service is often a difficult task.  If you do not resolve the issue with the first contact with them, future contact results in nothing but computer-generated responses which do not address your issues.   You don't want to sue them -- that will cost you a fortune, take many years, and you won't win.  You can however retain a lawyer to advocate for you.   In my experience, someone from the website will respond to a communication on a lawyer's stationary.  That response will come from someone at the website who has the ability to research the issue and the authority to take action if warranted.   You will want to discuss your situation with a lawyer in more detail. Many lawyers offer a free phone consultation.... Read More

 This is a common scam on the Internet.  There is no girl, there is no mother or father or detective -- only Internet fraudsters.     Do NOT send them any money.  They are trying to blackmail you, and you are the victim here - not some young girl who does not exist.   Block them and do not communicate with them in the future.   I have never heard of these fraudsters actually posting the pictures because 1) It takes time and makes them no money, and 2) It makes it too easy for them to get caught.... Read More

Andrew M. Jaffe Attorney at Law 2375 Covington Rd, Suite 315 Fairlawn, Ohio 44313-4358 (330) 983-4842 attorneyjaffe@aol.com www.LawyerJaffe.com   Thank you for contacting me concerning your need for an Internet attorney.  I would be happy to discuss your questions on the phone.  We can schedule a call for most any afternoon (Eastern time) including weekends.  There is no charge for this initial consultation and it is covered by attorney/client privilege.  As far as this "poaching" goes, it is going to depend on the written contractual relationship you have with your current employer.... Read More

  Andrew M. Jaffe Attorney at Law 2375 Covington Rd, Suite 315 Fairlawn, Ohio 44313-4358 (330) 983-4842 attorneyjaffe@aol.com www.LawyerJaffe.com   Thank you for contacting me concerning your need for an Internet attorney.  I cannot really answer this question without more background.  I would be happy to discuss your questions on the phone.  We can schedule a call for most any afternoon (Eastern time) including weekends.  There is no charge for this initial consultation and it is covered by attorney/client privilege.       ... Read More