Fri Aug 20, 2010 @ 11:05AM PST
- Thirteen trade groups including the RIAA and AFTRA have sent a joint letter to Google in reaction to the Google/Verizon net neutrality proposal. The groups say they are "deeply interested" in the details of the proposal, particularly in the way a new policy would effect measures to crack down on copyright infringement. [Read the letter]
- Courtney Love has settled her legal dispute with London & Co. over rights to Nirvana's back catalog. The singer sold rights for more than $20 million, but the deal was disputed by London & Co., which claimed part ownership. Details of the settlement haven't been disclosed. [AP]
- Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean isn't on the list of approved candidates for Haiti's presidential election. [Reuters]
- News Corp. is defending its decision to give $1 million to the Republican Governors Association, saying it will have no bearing on its newsgathering and that RGA's pro-business agenda will be beneficial. [Washington Post[
- Madonna is being sued by a clothing company alleging it owns the trademark rights to "Material Girl." [TMZ]
- The 9th Circuit has reinstated a porn star's lawsuit against a Canadian distributor who allegedly sold thousands of counterfeit porn DVDs. The plaintiff, Jules Jordan, was awarded $5.45 million in damages by a jury for his copyright and rights of publicity claims, but a federal judge later ruled the porn star's company lacked standing. The 9th Circuit disagrees. [CNS]
- A study concludes that Cameron Diaz is the most dangerous celebrity on the Internet. Internet users who search for Diaz risk harming their computers, according to computer security company McAfee. One in ten websites featuring Diaz contain malicious viruses. Diaz beats out Julia Roberts and Jessica Biel. Insert your own joke here. [Reuters]