Moritz Legal Information Blog

"For the past three years, [Michael Mandiberg] has been fully engaged in a project that might make even the most intrepid digital adventurer blush: transforming the English-language Wikipedia into an old-fashioned print reference set running to 7,600 volumes." Moving Wikipedia From Computer to Many, Many Bookshelves

For those looking for concrete input from local counsel on how to practice in areas that may be impacted by marijuana use, check out the Columbus Bar Association's upcoming CLE, MARIJUANA! Current Trends in Drug Awareness . CBA membership is free to law students, so take advantage now of all the networking opportunities the organization provides.

Lawyers have an ethical obligation to stay current on changes in the law. With marijuana law in its nascency, it's not just those attorneys representing pot users and not just attorneys in the West who have to keep up to date. Rulings in state courts will inevitably be persuasive law as other states adopt marijuana legislation (whether pro or con) but have no prior binding precedent to look to. And marijuana law isn't just a matter of criminal law---it now affects family law and employment law to name a couple of areas. With that in mind, here are two interesting news stories from the past week: Colorado Supreme Court: Employers Can Fire for Off-duty Pot Use This case turned on a matter of statutory interpretation: does the phrase "lawful activities" mean legal per state and federal law or just state law? New Bar Association Focuses on Marijuana   And for those with questions about the state of marijuana legislation in Ohio, check out these sites: Responsi

Many of you are busy poring over bar prep materials -- outlines, essays, and practice questions.  Breaks can be important, too.  As the New York Time s has reported, relaxation can increase productivity. For some of you, running at a metro park is an ideal way to spend time away from the bar, but if you're like me, you'll probably use that time going over outlines or problems in your head. How about a reading break?  Being absorbed in a bestseller takes your mind off of the elements of contract formation or lien priorities.  The Columbus Metropolitan Library's summer reading program includes prizes for adults, among them a $25 Target gift card.  If you don't want to stray too far from the law, try out the ABA's new editions of Perry Mason.  What better way for Columbus to maintain its status as the most intelligent community of the year ?

Many law librarians are looking forward to hearing NPR's Terry Gross as our keynote speaker at the upcoming American Association of Law Libraries conference in Philadelphia this summer. Ms. Gross is exceptional at interviewing people; she has a real gift for eliciting meaningful responses from those she interviews, and I've always admired her. Recently Ms. Gross was interviewed by Marc Maron on his podcast WTF, and she shared personal stories that have elevated my admiration of her even more. Specifically, Ms. Gross described moments from her early life that shaped her as a person, helped her learn about herself, and developed her professional identity. Give the podcast a listen for the specific stories' details, but here are the life lessons you might consider as you look for work this summer or after you graduate from law school. (Warning: the podcast has a handful of profane/swear words.) (1) Terry Gross was fired from a teaching job, but she was thrilled because s

The Dispatch recently ran an article on how tort attorneys strategically use Facebook, combined with other research resources, to identify potential litigants. "For example, [digital bounty hunter Tim] Burd was hired for a lawsuit claiming a medical device used in hysterectomies, known as a laparoscopic power morcellator, causes ovarian cancer to spread in patients. The CDC says women over 55 are most likely to contract that kind of cancer. Burd says CDC data are especially powerful in combination "with Facebook, which is why we love it so much, because there's ovarian cancer support groups and stuff like that. So we target women in the country over the age of 55 that 'like' an ovarian cancer support group. That's a pretty targeted demographic."" The story reports that attorneys will pay researchers like Mr. Burd up to $3,000 per name . . . but why rely on others to do this work for you? With the right research skills you could set up your own s

Stairway to Heaven was released in 1971 by Led Zeppelin. That's 44 years ago. Forty-four years is half a lifetime at least, so why has a copyright infringement suit been filed only now? Well, most likely it has to do with court cases and risk. Under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, attorneys can be sanctioned for filing frivolous lawsuits. What's more, attorneys like to win, especially when taking cases on a contingency fee basis . Two big cases have come out recently that suggest a copyright infringement suit can be lucrative even 44+ years after the claim arose. First, the U.S. Supreme Court held laches isn't a bar to these types of suits" [Writing in favor of the plaintiff who is suing MGM for copyright infringement over the film  Raging Bull , Justice Ginsburg] goes on to open a path towards more copyright lawsuits that will undoubtedly be alarming to Hollywood studios. "It is hardly incumbent on copyright owners, however, to cha