Recent Legal Articles

Poachers Posed as Wildlife Photographers to Illegally Hunt Deer

Two men in upstate New York have pleaded guilty to a wildlife poaching scheme that involved posing as a female wildlife photographer on social media. The duo used the fake profile to befriend real photographers, gaining inside information on the locations of large deer in no-hunting zones.

Meta Sues Photographer Over Alleged Instagram Username Scheme

Meta has filed a lawsuit against photographer Daniel Folger, alleging he engaged in an illicit Instagram username resale scheme and account reinstatement service. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, claims Folger facilitated high-priced transactions for coveted Instagram handles and worked with a Meta insider to restore banned accounts for a fee.

Montana Lawmakers Consider Criminalizing Sexually Explicit AI Deepfakes

Montana lawmakers are examining a proposal that would criminalize the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. The measure targets content that portrays individuals in explicit scenarios without their consent, aiming to curb a practice that many believe has serious personal and societal repercussions.

West Virginia Advances Bill Requiring Disclaimers on AI-Altered Election Images

West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require clear disclaimers on images altered by artificial intelligence when used in connection with elections. The new measure comes amid growing concern about how manipulated images can influence public opinion during critical electoral periods. Lawmakers stress that the goal is to safeguard the integrity of election-related content by ensuring that any AI modifications are clearly noted.

Official Share Woman’s Intimate Images but Receive No Consequences

In 2019, Haley Olson’s private images were exposed when officials in Grant County, Oregon, accessed her cell phone data without a warrant. Olson, who operated a legal marijuana dispensary in Oregon, became the center of a controversy after her intimate images stored on her phone were shared among local law enforcement personnel.

Wedding Videographer Allegedly Scams 100+ Couples

More than one hundred newlyweds in the UK are caught in a nightmare after a wedding videographer allegedly took their money and failed to deliver on her promises. Police have arrested a 34-year-old wedding videographer on suspicion of fraud and theft following a flood of complaints from couples over missing wedding videos​

Kansas Trail Camera Ban Revisited

In 2023, Kansas instituted a statewide ban on the use of trail cameras on public lands managed by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. This controversial rule was implemented after years of mounting complaints about camera misuse. That ban is being revisited.

US Copyright Office: Some AI-Generated Images Can Be Protected – With Conditions

The United States Copyright Office has released a much-anticipated report clarifying how US copyright law applies to artwork created with the help of artificial intelligence. The takeaway: if an AI-generated image includes enough original creative input from a human, it can be eligible for copyright – at least partially​.

Police Seize Photos from Texas Museum in Unprecedented Move

Imagine visiting a photo exhibit and finding out the police removed some of the artworks. That’s exactly what happened in Fort Worth, Texas. Four photographs by famed photographer Sally Mann were seized by police from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth amid allegations that they might constitute child pornography​.

The Photos You're Not Supposed to See

In an era when information travels at breakneck speed across vast digital networks, the very act of trying to hide certain data often paradoxically ensures its broader dissemination. This ironic dynamic, known as the “Streisand effect,” encapsulates a critical tension at the heart of contemporary media ecosystems: attempts to suppress or censor information frequently result in that information being shared more widely and gaining even greater cultural resonance.

How Recent Litigation Changes Are Shaping the Demand for Real Estate Photography

The recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the United States represents a pivotal shift for the real estate market, particularly benefiting real estate photographers. This change, resulting from litigation over commission misrepresentation, is set to reshape how agents and buyers interact, emphasizing the increased demand for high-quality real estate photography to enhance property listings.

South Carolina State Representative Sues Instagram After Son's Suicide

A legislator from South Carolina is taking legal action against Instagram following the tragic suicide of his son. Roughly two weeks post the memorial service of his eldest child, State Representative Brandon Guffey was confronted with a private message on Instagram containing a mockery emoji.

Ring Revises Policy: Halts Law Enforcement Access to Doorbell Camera Footage

Amazon's subsidiary, Ring, has announced a significant policy change: it will no longer permit law enforcement agencies to access user-recorded footage from its doorbell cameras. This decision marks a departure from Ring's previous stance and was announced via a blog post on Wednesday.

New Ohio Legislation Seeks to Shield 'Kidfluencers' From Financial Exploitation

A prominent TikToker has thrown their support behind a proposed Ohio legislation designed to safeguard child influencers from potential economic exploitation by their parents. This new bill, recently introduced to the Ohio House, seeks to establish labor laws specifically for "kidfluencers" to ensure they are fairly compensated for their online presence and contributions.

Utah Teen Sues State Over Social Media Law

Utah high school student Hannah Zoulek has mounted a challenge against the state of Utah, targeting the controversial Social Media Regulation Act set to be enacted on March 1. This act requires social media platforms to verify the ages of users and secure parental consent for users under 18. It also imposes a digital curfew, barring minors from accessing these platforms from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am.

Appellate Court Sides With Photographer Suing Chicago Cubs

The First District Appellate Court recently ruled against the Chicago Cubs in their bid to move a legal case to arbitration. This decision regards a lawsuit filed by Charles Arbogast, an Associated Press photographer who suffered injuries at Wrigley Field.

New Ohio Law Requires Parental Consent for Minors on Social Media

Starting January 15, a new regulation, the Social Media Parental Notification Act, will be implemented across Ohio, requiring young social media users under the age of 16 to obtain consent from their parents or legal guardians before using these platforms.