Law X.0

Should Online Defamation Be Criminalized?

Of interest to bloggers, Should Online Defamation Be Criminalized? by Dayton Law Prof Susan W. Brenner. Here's the SSRN abstract:

In 1961 the drafters of the Model Penal Code decided that defamation should not be criminalized, even though libel was a common law crime. They based their decision on two assumptions: One was that defamation does not inflict “harm” of a severity comparable to rape or murder; the other was that while defamation concededly inflicts a lesser “harm,” the likelihood of its being inflicted was too slight to justify the imposition of criminal sanctions. This article argues that our increasing use of cyberspace makes the second assumption increasingly problematic, and therefore requires that we revisit the need to criminalize online defamation.

Study Finds Up to 80 Percent of Blogs Host "Offensive Content"

From the press release:

ScanSafe, the pioneer and leading provider of Web Security-as-a-Service, issued its latest monthly Global Threat Report.  Among the report's key findings, up to 80 percent of blogs contain potentially offensive content, which can range from adult language to pornographic images, and about 6 percent of blogs host malware.  The most requested blog-related site during the month was blogger.com.  [RJ]

List of New Topical Law Blogs

From Justin Kelly we received this fantastic list of topical law blogs, most of them new to our taxonomy. Earlier this week we published a list of blogs that focus on state law developments supplied by Justin. Thanks Justin! [JH]

Antitrust Lawyer Blog http://www.antitrustlawyerblog.com

Covers recent developments in antitrust and international trade law. By Doyle, Barlow & Mazard.

Class Action Defense Blog http://classactiondefense.jmbm.com

Covers CAFA, class certification, employment law, FCRA, FDCPA and multidistrict litigation. Published by Michael Hassen of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP.

Construction Litigation Law Blog http://blog.njeifs.com

Covers community associations, EIFS, construction litigation and construction news. By the Construction Litigation Group of Stark & Stark.

Contracts Blog http://www.onecle.com/blog

Covers contracting law, including contracting, news, events, and technology.

Cruise Ship Law Blog http://www.cruiseshiplawblog.com

Blog dedicated to cruise passenger and crew safety, seafarer conditions, maritime law and all types of injuries at sea.

Death and Taxes Legal Blog http://www.deathandtaxesblog.com

A Legal blog that covers Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Taxes. Written by Joel A. Schoenmeyer.

Hotel Law Blog http://hotellaw.jmbm.com

A legal blog that covers hotel case law , news and events dealing with hotel law. Written by hotel lawyer Jim Butler.

Idea Lawyer Blog  http://www.idealawyerblog.com

Covers business, inventions, music, intellectual property and tech initiatives. By the Neville Law Group.

Justia Legal Marketing & SEO Blog http://onward.justia.com

Covers legal website design, search engine optimization and marketing for law firms. Includes information on the latest Justia web products.

Maritime Injury Law Blog http://blog.maritimelawyer.us

Covers offshore injuries involving fishing vessels. By Beard, Stacey, Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP.

Stock Broker Fraud Blog http://www.stockbrokerfraudblog.com

A legal blog that covers securities fraud case law , news and events dealing with securities law. Written by lawyers Shepherd, Smith & Edwards.

Women's Rights Employment Blog http://www.womensrightsblog.com

Legal blog that covers women's employment rights in the workplace and society.

Law Professor Blogs Network Launches Five Blogs

Paul Caron and I are delighted to announce that the Law Professor Blogs Network has added five new blogs:

• Administrative Law Prof Blog, edited by Drury Stevenson (South Texas) & Cynthia Quinn (Hawaii)http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/adminlaw
• Civil Procedure Prof Blog, edited by Jeremy Counseller (Baylor) & Rory Ryan (Baylor)
  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/civpro   
• International Environmental Law Prof Blog, edited by William Burns (Santa Clara) & Richard Caddell (Wales)
  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/intlenvironment
• M&A Law Prof Blog, edited by Steven Davidoff (Wayne State)
  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/mergers
• Poverty Law Prof Blog, edited by Ezra Rosser (American) & Lowell Hull (Notre Dame)
  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/poverty/

You can check out these and all of the other blogs of the Law Professor Blogs Network at our Network RSS feed display. If you are interested in starting a law blog for the Law Professor Blogs Network please contact Cincinnati Law Prof Paul Caron or me. [JH]

New State Law Blogs

Law blogging focusing on state and local developments has grown substantially over the last couple of years. Justin Kelly has directed our attention to a number of new blogs in this area. Many are new to our taxonomy. Thanks Justin! [JH]

California

California Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog http://www.californiabankruptcylawyerblog.com

Covers bankruptcy, consumer debt and finance law with a focus on California law. Published by Scott Sagaria.

California Estate Planning Lawyer Blog http://www.californiaestateplanninglawyerblog.com

Covers estate planning, trusts, wills and asset protection with a focus on California law. Published by Scott Sagaria.

California Family Law Blog http://www.californiafamilylawblog.com

Covers adoption, child support, divorce and other family law issues with a focus on California law. Published by Scott J. Sagaria.

Los Angeles Injury Lawyer Blog http://losangelesinjurylawyerblog.com

A legal blog that covers personal injury law, news and events dealing with injury law. Written by personal injury lawyers Rice and Bloomfield.

San Francisco Family Law Blog http://www.sanfranciscofamilylawblog.com

Covers divorce, separation and other family law issues with a focus on California law. By Moschetti Family Law.

Florida

Florida Criminal Defense Law Blog http://www.floridacriminaldefenselawblog.com

Blog dedicated to bringing up to date information and news on criminal law in the state of Florida. Published by Ronald Chapman.

Illinois

Chicago Accident Law Blog http://www.chicagoaccidentlawblog.com/

Covers accident & injury, asbestos, medical device litigation, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, pharmaceutical litigation, and workers compensation. By Ed Scanlan

Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog http://www.chicagoinjurylawyerblog.com

Covers Chicago and Illinois injury and accident law cases, news and issues. From the Chicago law firm of Hurley McKenna & Mertz.

Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog http://www.chicagomedicalmalpracticelawyerblog.com

Covers medical malpractice cases, news and issues with a focus on Illinois. From the Chicago law firm of Hurley McKenna & Mertz.

Illinois Appellate Lawyer Blog http://illinoisappellatelawyerblog.com

A legal blog that covers Illinois Appellate case law , news and events dealing with appellate case law. Written by lawyer Steven R. Merican, P.C.

Illinois Car and Truck Accident Lawyer Blog
http://www.illinoiscarandtruckaccidentlawyerblog.com

Covers Illinois trucking and car accident cases, news and issues. From the Chicago law firm of Hurley McKenna & Mertz.

Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog http://medicalmalpractice.levinperconti.com

Covers medical malpractice cases, news and issues with a focus on Illinois. From the Chicago law firm of Levin and Perconti.

Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog http://www.illinoisnursinghomeabuseblog.com

Covers Illinois nursing homes and information for nursing home residents, family members, ombudsmen, resident advocates, elder law attorneys and nursing home staff. By lawyers Levin & Perconti.

Indiana

Indiana Injury Blog http://www.indianainjurylawblog.com

Covers car accidents and medical malpractice news, cases and issues with a focus on Indiana Law. By Theodoros & Rooth.

Kentucky

Kentucky Injury Law Blog http://www.kentuckyinjurylawblog.com

Covers injury news, insurance law, bad faith, Kentucky medical malpractice and trial practice tips. By Carl Frederick and Steve Frederick.

Maryland

Maryland Accident Law Blog http://blog.inlawfirm.com

Covers news, information, commentary and sample documents related to Maryland injury and accident law.

Maryland / DC Injury Law Blog http://attorneysforpeople.com

Covers injury and accident law news, cases and issues with a focus on Maryland and Washington DC. From the Abelson Law Firm.

Maryland Injury Lawyer Blog http://www.marylandinjurylawyerblog.com

Covers medical malpractice, personal injury verdicts, truck accidents, and uninsured motorists. By Miller & Zois.

Michigan

Michigan Collection Law Blog http://www.michigancollectionlawblog.com/

Covers collection agencies, collection law firms, and debt collection. By Nitzkin & Associates.

New York

New York Employment Lawyer Blog http://newyorkemploymentlawyerblog.com

A legal blog that covers New York Employment law, news and events
dealing with Employment law. Written by Employment Lawyers at the
Ottinger Firm.

New York Zoning and Municipal Law Blog http://www.newyorkzoningandmunicipallawblog.com

Covers adverse possession, environmental law, municipal law, zoning
and land use. Published by Silverberg Zalantis.

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Law Blog  http://blog.caringlawyers.com

Covers medical malpractice cases, news, and reform. By Rosen Louik &
Perry.

Tennessee

Tennessee Law Blog http://www.tennesseelawblog.com

Covers accident and injury law issues, cases and news with a focus on
Tennessee. Published by Jim Higgins of Higgins, Himmelberg &
Piliponis PLLC.

Virginia

Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog http://www.virginiainjurylawyerblog.com

Provides trial & litigation, and injury & accident news, resources
and commentary.

Washington DC

Washington DC Personal Injury Lawyer Blog  http://www.legaljuice.com

A legal blog that covers personal injury case law, news and events
dealing with injury law. Written by injury lawyers Mesirow & Stravitz.

Maryland / DC Injury Law Blog http://attorneysforpeople.com

Covers injury and accident law news, cases and issues with a focus on
Maryland and Washington DC. From the Abelson Law Firm.