An Australian privacy regulator has filed a lawsuit alleging a breach of privacy laws affecting more than 300,000 users; Linklaters is focusing on client experience with new collaborative operation; a US court has ruled that the iconic rock anthem ‘Stairway to Heaven’ did not plagiarise an earlier song
Australia sues Facebook for potential $500 billion
The Australian Information Commissioner has filed proceedings against Facebook alleging a breach of privacy laws.
The regulator alleges “serious and/or repeated interferences with privacy” contrary to Australian privacy law.
The lawsuit says that Facebook users’ personal information was used by the This Is Your Digital Life app and then provided to Cambridge Analytica which used it for purposes that users would not have expected.
“We claim these actions left the personal data of around 311,127 Australian Facebook users exposed to be sold and used for purposes including political profiling, well outside users’ expectations.”
Given the large number of users and the Australian Federal Court’s ability to impose penalties of $1.7m for each serious/repeated case, the total penalty could theoretically amount to more than $500bn.
In a statement made to TechCrunch.com, Facebook says that it has cooperated with the Australian Information Commissioner’s investigation over the past two years and has made some changes to how information is used on its platforms. It says that it cannot further comment as the matter is now before the Federal Court.
Global firm launches Legal Operations function
Linklaters has launched its Legal Operations function, bringing together four existing teams and business experts to enhance client service.
The firm intends the new function to drive greater collaboration across its teams.
The four existing teams that are part of Legal Operations, led by director Stewart Chippendale, are: Alternative Legal Services, Innovation, Knowledge and Learning, and Matter Pricing.
“Legal Operations brings together our network of business experts into a single, integrated team, all focussed on providing the best possible service for our clients,” said Chippendale.
Appeals court rejects ‘Stairway to Heaven’ challenge
Six years after the initial lawsuit was filed, one of rock’s great litigations has reached a conclusion – possibly.
At the centre of the lawsuit is Led Zeppelin’s iconic anthem ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and the question of whether it plagiarised an earlier song ‘Taurus’ by Spirit.
The plaintiff was Michael Skidmore, trustee for the estate of Spirit’s Randy Craig Wolfe. A win could mean a share of the last three years of royalties (due to limitations) and future revenue.
The initial case was heard in Los Angeles in 2016 with the jury finding in Led Zeppelin’s favour. But three judges in San Francisco overturned the decision in 2018 citing certain “erroneous and prejudicial” instructions.
However, a larger panel of judges in San Francisco has this week reinstated the original ruling that Led Zeppelin’s song did not copy ‘Taurus’.
Lawyer for the plaintiff, Francis Alexander Malofiy, said he may consider an appeal to the US Supreme Court.
