Social Media

Sexy but too similar? App developers “Bang-ed” up over trade mark dispute

Sexy but too similar? App developers “Bang-ed” up over trade mark dispute

20 August 2013
By Katie Dillon
What happens when you take three College aged guys, a few hours of spare time, Red Bull, vodka, and a smartphone? Why, a new “casual sex matchmaking app” called “Bang With Friends”! Unfortunately for our anonymous trio (yes, despite the “honesty” of the app they refuse to reveal their identities) the hangover may last a while. In late July 2013, Zynga, makers of apps like “Words With Friends” and the owners of the registered trade mark “WITH FRIENDS”, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court claiming “Bang With Friends” are “free riding on recognized and valuable intellectual property rights”.
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Federal Election 2013: who will be watching you?

Federal Election 2013: who will be watching you?

14 August 2013
By Jessica Bounds
The 2013 Australian Federal Election has already been coined the ‘Social Media Election’, but even savvy users who frequently turn to social media platforms to track trending political issues may have been surprised by last week’s announcement that Yahoo!7 and Seven News were partnering with Facebook to provide unique insights into Australian opinions on the election. Unlike Twitter, which is known as a public forum, many users view Facebook as a more ‘private’ or ‘restricted’ space for sharing content. We wondered whether this partnership may see individual users’ status updates shared on news broadcasts, and decided to investigate.
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Moderating User Comments on Social Media: New IAB Guidelines

Moderating User Comments on Social Media: New IAB Guidelines

25 July 2013
By Natalie Hickey
"Trending" of late has been the introduction of social media best practice recommendations and guidelines from a variety of bodies. Last week saw the release of the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) Social Media Comment Moderation Guidelines, which attempt to address confusion over the requirement for moderation of user comments on social media sites.
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IAB Australia releases Social Advertising Best Practice Guidelines

IAB Australia releases Social Advertising Best Practice Guidelines

29 May 2013
By Samantha McHugh
Last week, the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia (IAB) released Social Advertising Best Practice Guidelines (Guidelines) for paid social advertising. We’re pleased to see IAB helping members navigate the Social Media Wild West. However, we suggest that the Guidelines be further reviewed to mitigate some continuing legal risks.
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ACCC 2013 agenda offers little for businesses involved in social media

ACCC 2013 agenda offers little for businesses involved in social media

25 February 2013
By Samantha McHugh
It is surprising that the ACCC’s updated Compliance and Enforcement Policy for 2013 makes no express mention of social media. Introduced by Rod Sims in a speech in Sydney on Thursday, 22 February 2013, to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, the ACCC’s priorities extend to “online consumer issues” but that’s as far as it goes.
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