Canon USA filed an Amended Complaint last week against F & E Trading, LLC (aka Big Value, Inc., Electronics Valley and others) in its ongoing battle against gray market retailers who are undercutting the market in the US on DSLR sales. I have obtained a copy and embedded it at the bottom of this post for those who want to read the fine print. [Read more…]
Canon is Suing “Get It Digital” and Others to Stop Gray Market DSLR Sales
Canon USA filed a pair of lawsuits in October against Get It Digital, LLC and several other widely-known gray market retailers in a effort to force them to stop selling gray market Canon cameras and other products in the United States.
I obtained copies of the complaints and exhibits late last week and have reviewed the allegations made and evidence cited within. [Read more…]
U.S. Wants ALL Drones Registered by Christmas
Today, the United States Department of Transportation put a task force in place to develop recommendations for a federal drone registry. The task force’s recommendations are due by November 20 and the government wants the registry in place by mid-December. [Read more…]
White House Ends Ban on Photography During Tours
The White House lifted a decades-old ban on photography during public tours. The news came via an Instagram video by Michelle Obama, in which she literally tore up the sign that gave notice of “No photos or social media allowed.” [Read more…]
Respect Goes a Long Ways on Both Sides of the Badge
Officer: What you got in your bag?
Citizen: None of your f***ing business. That’s what I got in the bag.
Officer: Alright. (turns to leave)
Citizen: Honor your oath, scumbag.
Really? That’s the dialog we want with police now? Watch the video below to see that in a real life situation. (**Language warning**) [Read more…]
Proposed Texas Law Makes It a Crime to Photograph Police from within 25 Feet
The Texas Representative Jason Villalba filed House Bill 2918 last week in Texas House of Representatives that attempts to criminalize any photographs, video, audio recording or other documenting of a police officer within 25 feet the officer.
I’ll cut right to chase and tell you that this bill is unconstitutional under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. No questions asked. This is Constitutional Law 101. There is no way this bill could withstand a constitutional challenge in court.
The bill seeks to amend an existing Texas law that states in pertinent part: [Read more…]
FAA Tells Police How to Handle Illegal Drone Encounters
While the drone market continues to expand, the legality of operating them continues to be more up in the air than ever before. Earlier this month, the FAA released a new directive to local law enforcement agencies on how to handle encounters with drone operators.
While I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and this is an editorial commentary on newsworthy issues rather than legal advice. Unless you’re paying a lawyer, you aren’t really getting legal advice, and what you are getting on websites, blogs and forums is worth just what you paid for it. If you are busted by the FAA for violating its regulations, get an aviation lawyer who knows their way around the administrative process. Do not solicit legal advice online. That free advice will be the most expensive you ever take. [Read more…]
Those Weird FCC Labels Won’t be on Your Cameras Anymore
Those weird FCC labels on your electronic gadgets should be gone for good soon thanks to the bi-partisan E-Label Act, which was signed into law by President Obama last week. [Read more…]
Nikon D600 Owners Get New D610 Out of Lawsuit
Remember the class action lawsuit that was stirring a few months back from D600 owners?
Well, it looks like a settlement has been reached and D600 owners who were part of the lawsuit now have the chance to trade in their D600 models for a new D610.
Below is an email received by a D600 owner that had been part of the lawsuit. He posted the email on the fredmiranda forums. I have added emphasis to certain key parts of the email. [Read more…]
Colbert Report Takes on Amazon’s Seamless White Background Patent
Last week, we covered Amazon‘s patent for studio photography on a white background. Stephen Colbert caught wind of the patent and had a little fun on his program yesterday. Check out the clip from last night’s show below. [Read more…]