New French Labor Law Gives Workers 'Right to Disconnect'

A new provision in France's labor law that creates a "right to disconnect" does not ban work-related emails, but does require that companies with more than 50 employees negotiate a new protocol to ensure that work does not spill into days off or after-work hours. Some consultants have recommended that employees and managers avoid the “reply all” function on emails to groups so that only one person is being asked to read an email and respond, rather than half the office.

Run-DMC Sues Amazon, Walmart for Selling Infringing Products

Hip-hop group Run-DMC have taken on Amazon.com and Walmart in a $50 million trademark infringement claim. Filed on December 29 at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the group’s lawsuit alleged that the retailers have sold products claiming to be “Run-DMC styled products” for at least three years.

Russian Malware Found on Computer at Vt. Electric Utility

Malicious software tied to Russian intelligence agencies has been found on a computer of a small electric utility in northern Vermont, raising concerns of Russian attempts to interfere with critical infrastructure as well as the 2016 presidential race. The laptop computer was not connected to the electric system, and the malware did not disrupt electric grid operations or compromise customer data, according to the Burlington Electric Department and a U.S. law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Obama Administration Ejects Russian Intelligence Operatives

The Obama administration struck back at Russia for its efforts to influence the 2016 election, ejecting 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States and imposing sanctions on Russia’s two leading intelligence services. The administration also sanctioned four top officers of one of those services, the military intelligence unit known as the G.R.U., which the White House believes ordered the attacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political organizations.

N.Y. Financial Regulator Revises Cyber Security Rules for Banks

New York state's financial regulator issued a revised proposal for the nation's first cyber security rules for banks and insurers, loosening some security requirements and delaying implementation by two months to March 1. The rules from the New York State Department of Financial Services are being closely because they lay out unprecedented requirements on steps that financial firms must take to protect their networks and customer data from hackers and disclose cyber events to state regulators.

Obama Administration Plans Cyber Response to Russia

The Obama administration is close to announcing a series of measures to punish Russia for its interference in the 2016 presidential election, including economic sanctions and diplomatic censure, according to U.S. officials. The administration is finalizing the details, which also are expected to include covert action that will probably involve cyber-operations, the officials said.

Qualcomm to Fight South Korea's $865M Patent Fine

Qualcomm said that it would fight a ruling by South Korea’s top trade regulator that fined the San Diego wireless company $865 million for violating competition laws with its patent licensing practices. The fine comes after a 20-month investigation by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, which wants Qualcomm to change “unfair” business practices in the way it licenses its 3G/4G intellectual property.

FDA Issues Recommendations for Internet-Connected Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its recommendations for how medical device manufacturers should maintain the security of internet-connected devices, even after they’ve entered hospitals, patient homes, or patient bodies. Unsecured devices can allow hackers to tamper with how much medication is delivered by the device -- with potentially deadly results.

Chinese Hackers Allegedly Earned $4M by Attacking U.S. Law Firms

Three Chinese traders earned more than $4 million in illegal profits after they hacked into the computer systems of prominent U.S. law firms and stole nonpublic information on mergers and acquisitions, according to a federal indictment unsealed. The allegations are the latest alarm bell for law firms, which have long been considered vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Chinese Cybersecurity Body Urges Greater Surveillance

China's top cybersecurity body reaffirmed its commitment to heightened cybersecurity surveillance, calling for increased scrutiny of local and foreign technology used in industries deemed critical to the national interest. A strategy document, released by the Cybersecurity Administration of China (CAC), laid out the framework for a controversial cybersecurity law released in November, which foreign business groups say could bar overseas firms from competing in the market.

FBI Investigating How Hackers Infiltrated FDIC Computers

The FBI is investigating how hackers infiltrated computers at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for several years beginning in 2010 in a breach senior FDIC officials believe was sponsored by China's military, people with knowledge of the matter said. The security breach, in which hackers gained access to dozens of computers including the workstation for former FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair, has also been the target of a probe by a congressional committee.

U.S. Adds China's Taobao to List of Top Counterfeit Markets

American trade officials said that they had added Taobao, the Alibaba Group’s sprawling online shopping bazaar in China, to their list of the world’s most notorious markets for counterfeit goods. The addition -- an embarrassing setback four years after Alibaba successfully lobbied American officials to drop the platform from the list -- comes as the owners of brands increasingly complain about the proliferation of fakes on the company’s sales platforms.

Report Ties DNC Hacking to Russian Attack on Ukranian Military

Malicious software used in a hack against the Democratic National Committee is similar to that used against the Ukrainian military, a computer-security firm has determined, adding evidence to allegations that the hackers who infiltrated the DNC were working for the Russian government. The malware used in the DNC intrusion was a “variant” of one designed to help locate the position of Ukrainian artillery units over the past two years, the security company, CrowdStrike, said in a report.

Canadian Commission Says All Residents Entitled to Broadband

In a much-anticipated decision, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission declared that all residents are entitled to access voice and broadband Internet services on fixed and mobile wireless networks. The ruling compels telecommunications providers to help fund $750-million in broadband infrastructure in rural and remote areas over the next five years, sets ambitious speed targets and requires them to offer an unlimited data plan.

U.S. Tech Trade Groups Warn About EU Copyright Proposal

Tech trade groups penned a letter to U.S. regulators warning against a European Union copyright proposal. “The Commission’s Proposal on copyright in the Digital Single Market risks undermining trans-Atlantic commerce and internet openness,” the groups wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman.

Employee Sues Google for Using Worker 'Spying Program'

A Google product manager has sued the company, accusing it of unlawfully prohibiting employees from sharing concerns with coworkers, shareholders or the press, and maintaining a "spying program" to prevent leaks. In the class action lawsuit filed in California state court in San Francisco, the employee, identified only as "John Doe," says Google's employment agreements are illegally broad and violate various state labor laws.

The GigaLaw Firm helps companies of all sizes protect their brands online, using domain name dispute policies – such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) – and other legal tools available to copyright and trademark owners on the Internet.