Wires Crossed #80 – April 20

Rosetta Stone Case Could Cause Avalanche of Suits Against Google
A tonne of litigation could follow if software company Rosetta Stone wins a lawsuit it has instigated against Google. At its most simple, the main problem that Rosetta Stone has is that it believes Google’s AdWords allow third parties to purchase keywords as well as generate links that are sponsored, that takes consumers to websites that are selling copycat (read: illegal) versions of Rosetta’s products. Other companies are watching the outcome, because they too have problems with the way Google operates its use of AdWords and how third parties are taking advantage of the names and reputation of companies.

Ballsy Hacker Takes On Cops
A hacker from Ohio has been charged with unlawfully entering the website of Utah’s Chiefs of Police Association. Said to be from the collective hacker group known as Anonymous, John Anthony Borell III said he was responsible for the attack, but then denied it. Unfortunately, he allegedly said it in a Twitter feed. The hack is said to have cost the police department US$33,000 to repair, and it may cost Borell up to $250,000 and 10 years in the clink if he is found guilty.

Ubisoft Sued Over Assassin’s Creed
Assassin’s Creed has been one of Ubisoft’s most popular and profitable franchises, now it is being sued by Pennsylvanian John Beiswenger.  Beiswenger claims that Ubisoft took some of his ideas from his novel, Link and incorporated elements into the Assassin’s Creed story line. He has claimed that 11 copyright infringements were carried out by Ubisoft and gaming video specialist Gametrailers, which made videos of the game to promote it. If successful, he could be in for a windfall of millions of dollars.

Twitter Pic Causes Mistrial In Murder Case
A reporter who took a picture of a juror in a court room and then tweeted it, has caused the trial to be abandoned after the judge dismissed the jury.  The case, in the state of Kansas, involved 20-year-old Austin Tabor who is accused of murdering Matthew Mitchell, also aged 20. What is interesting is that the reporter used her smartphone to take the picture and tweet it, but due to the size of the screen didn’t realise the juror was in the shot until the pic had been published. Managing Editor of the Topeka Capital-Journal, Tomari Quinn, for whom the reporter works, said they would use the incident as a training exercise on not what to do when taking pictures in a court room.