The Urban Layers Project

Procedure To Kill A Patent In The Battlefield

2008-04-09T07:46:00.001-07:00

Patent invalidation:

defensing a patent of invention of invention claim to demo that the existent patent is invalid which was faultily granted. This is done by discovering a record which turns out the claimed innovation is not fresh or non obvious.

Why people invalidate?

* Annulment hunt is a defensive tool used by a company when it is infringing a patent

* It is performed by a company to drill a engineering without paying royalties to the assignee that throws the rights of patent of invention of invention of invention of innovation of innovation of innovation of invention of invention to be invalidated.

* It can be used by a company to cognize whether person is infringing his patent.

Procedure for patent invalidation:

a) Recover international hunt survey for the patent to be invalidated and bank check the patents of invention listed there.

b) Background study

1) Read the patented invention or the invention to be invalidated thoroughly.

2) Get in depth apprehension of the invention by referring to the drawings.

3) Locate the inventive stairway of the patent to be invalidated

4) Prepare head maps or flowcharts of the survey you have got done to later recall

5) Search through Google and other databases to acquire different possible footing for the inventive steps

6) Behavior a encephalon storming session

c) Preparing taxonomy or engineering appraisal parameters

1) Locate measure by measure procedure

2) Select the claims that is to be invalidated

3) Interruption the claims into parts.

4) Write the broken parts of the claims into simple linguistic communication for easy apprehension and analysis

5) Prepare a head map or flowchart of the taxonomy

d) Keyword readying & Searching

1) Geographic conditions: Restrict the hunt with the precedence day of the month if the mark patent is a United States patent. (Note: If you are invalidating an European patent of innovation of innovation of innovation of innovation then the publication day of the month of beginning patent should be anterior to precedence day of the month of mark patent)

2) Use appropriate databases to seek

3) Search by preparing the hunt scheme using application country of the innovation or the elements.

4) Search by preparing the hunt scheme using the jobs of the inventions

5) Search by preparing the hunt scheme using the solutions of the invention

6) Use different equivalent words of the elements or stairway of the invention

7) Locate relevant international patent categorizations (IPC) and hunt using them

8) Try to seek using wide questions first, then utilize more than narrower questions if you happen the consequences are on target.

9) Modify the questions if the hunt consequences are indeterminate or not appropriate

10) Search using the keywords that lucifers different technical possibilities of the elements of the invention

11) Try to acquire into the countries where the invention can alternately be applied or believe out of box. Brand schemes using those countries and search

12) Change the databases accordingly

13) Use appropriate operators of the database to explicate the queries

14) Change the range of the questions accordingly. For eg: claims or (title & abstract) or verbal description etc. Depending on the databases

e) Analysis

1) Look into statute statute title & abstract and make up one's head whether the written written written written document is on mark or not

2) During this decision, see the record on mark if you happen it minimally relevant also

3) Always maintain the stairway of the innovation in your mind

4) Use diagrams which is considered to be a cosmopolitan linguistic communication for analysis

5) Try to construe the stairway in linguistic linguistic context of the document you are studying if the subdivision of the document looks to be relevant

6) Try to compose the analysis in context to the claim or portion of the claim that you are working on

7) If you happen most of the elements into a document, then read it more than carefully to happen the rest. This is to turn out that written document as an Ten attack.

8) Be patient while analyzing the documents

9) Mark the relevant countries of the analysis in a pdf file, so that it is easy for the client to understand

10) Prepare the analysis sheet in more than synergistic and easily apprehensible manner

Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery

2008-03-31T15:37:00.001-07:00

After Hurricane Wilma struck Ft. Lauderdale in 2005, the full county went offline. No power, no computer. No computer, no Internet. You couldn't purchase gas because the electrical pumps were out. You could only purchase what grocery stores were still on the shelf if you had cash. Recognition and debit entry card game were rendered useless.Things always travel incorrect at the worst possible time.

At the worst possible moment, hackers struck my PayPal account, overdrew my affiliated depository financial institution business relationship and recognition card, and left me penniless when I was most vulnerable.

As more than than than and more criminals and cons go Internet savvy, personal personal personal identity larceny is now the fastest growth law-breaking in the U.S.

Identity larceny falls into 4 categories:

-financial (stealing commodity and services)

-criminal (fake identity when arrested)

-cloning (pretending to be person else)

-business (using another's business to obtain credit)

We mostly believe of identity larceny when a alien utilizes our recognition to obtain commodity and services, but the others can be even more devastating. Try applying for a occupation after person gave your personal identity when they were convicted and captive for a felony.

Identity Larceny Prevention:

1.don't be free and easy with your Sociable Security number

2.don't publish your SSN on checks

3.don't transport clean bank bank checks or recognition card game you don't necessitate - you may not lose them when they have got been stolen

4.be especially careful about giving your SSN over the telephone or online

5.don't throw away official authorities letters or recognition card statements without shredding

6.secure your mail with a locking letter box if necessary

7.sign new recognition card game as soon as you have them

8.do not go forth recognition card gross behind at restaurants, gas stations, or stores

9.choose tough-to-figure-out logins, passwords, and pin numbers

10.use different watchwords for different accounts

11.change your pin Numbers and watchwords every 90 days

12. make not transport your pin Numbers in your billfold or purse

13. alteration the watchwords often for services like PayPal which are linked to your depository financial institution business relationship and recognition cards

14. put option your telephone Numbers on the national Do-Not-Call Register (1-888-382-1222 )

15. don't give your telephone figure to those who don't necessitate it (stores - pay attention)

16. make a Google hunt for your ain name and SSN to see what you can happen out about yourself

17. take online sellers carefully - Google before buying with a recognition card - expression for a unafraid land site button

18. maintain an oculus out for shoulder surfboarders in public transactions

19. be wary of skimmers wherever your recognition card is out of your sight (restaurants)

20. be careful with data file sharing software system - it can give hackers entree to your computer

21. bounds the amount of personal information you divulge on societal networking sites

22. maintain a stopping point oculus on laptop computers and pollex thrusts that incorporate personal information

23. reappraisal your monthly depository financial institution and recognition card statements carefully, or bank check more often online

24. reappraisal your recognition study at least once a twelvemonth for leery activity or inquiries

25. maintain a maestro record in a safe topographic point with business relationship Numbers and telephone Numbers should your recognition card game be stolen

Identity Larceny Recovery:

If your personal information have got got got been subject to topographic point theft, enactment immediately.

1.if your card game or Idaho were physically stolen, data file a police force report

2.call the large 3 recognition bureaus, place a fraud qui vive on your recognition cards, and obtain a free recognition report

3.close any depository financial institution business relationships and recognition card game you believe have been used by personal personal identity thieves

4.dispute any complaints or bank checks or backdowns you have not authorized

5.contact DMV for a new drivers' licence and figure if yours have been compromised

6.ask for a missive from each business relationship resolving the difference and collateral that the identity larceny business relationships have been closed

After the Hurricane Wilma hack, it took hebdomads to acquire PayPal to change by reversal all the complaints and pursuit down the fraud. The paperwork at the depository financial institution seemed endless. Citibank canceled the old recognition card and sent the new 1 out in record time.

U.S. Government statistics gauge it takes about 600 hours and $1,200 to counter personal identity larceny and reconstruct your good name and credit.

Prevention beats out remedy every time.

How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

2008-02-28T11:58:00.001-08:00

Identity larceny is all too common this twenty-four hours in age. It looks like the job is growing to new extremes. As a major aspect of personal identity theft, recognition card fraud is also largely preventable by taking basic safeguards and using good fiscal common sense. Read on for a few of the most effectual ways to avoid fraud completely.

Keep Your Digits to Yourself

Don't allow anyone borrow your recognition card or have got entree to your card number. A big amount of recognition card fraud haps simply as a consequence of not paying stopping point enough attending to who is doing what with your card. Keep checks on who have your card and for how long. For example, most of the clip at retail supplies and even at eating houses you can see what's going on with your card. If at all possible, ticker to do certain no 1 is "mishandling" your recognition while processing it.

Destroy Old Receipts

Even though it is now a law in many topographic points that dealing gross must not expose any more than than the last few figures of your figure as portion of the black and white out, that's really no warrant that your personal and recognition card information is not still there. Brand certain none of the recognition gross are left behind for the adjacent individual to see. It's outdo to destruct old gross by shredding them once they're no longer needed.

Shred Recognition Card Applications

Think about how many recognition card applications you have by mail in the course of study of a calendar month or so. Each and every 1 of these is practically an invitation for fraudsters to take advantage. They can acquire them right out of your letter box or even the rubbish and fill up them out to obtain their ain under your name in no clip at all. To cut down your opportunities of becoming a victim, bank check your mail as soon as possible every twenty-four hours and be certain to scintilla all unwanted applications before discarding them.

Only Make Business with Secure Websites

The web have a repute for being kind of the Wild Occident when it come ups to recognition cards. The perceptual experience is that information is stolen routinely and personal identity thieves are abundant. While it's always better to be safe than sorry, this impression of online lawlessness is largely a myocardial infarctions perception. In fact, when doing concern with reputable concerns online, your fiscal information is probably even safer than it would be in a typical offline transaction. Just do certain the connexion is unafraid (look for the padlock logotype in your browser) and that you completely trust the company you're paying.

Review Your Statement

Often considered a last vacation spot when taking stairway to avoid recognition fraud, reviewing your business relationship statement line by line is also a surefire manner to catch any abuse of your card before it's too late. Simply by coverage any abuse to your card issuing bank, most liability is averted right then and there. On the other hand, choosing to just pay the measure without looking at the complaints listed is a great manner to be an in progress victim of recognition card fraud.

Knowing how to avoid recognition card fraud is mostly accomplished by being aware of how fraudsters pattern their trade, but even more than so, by taking easy, basic stairway to protect your identity. Don't let yourself to be a victim!

Does a Security Freeze Stop Identity Theft?

2008-02-01T16:11:00.001-08:00

With personal identity larceny on a continued progress upward and noted as the figure 1 White neckband law-breaking in United States today a popular option is for consumers to close down (lock) entree to their recognition reports. This do it nearly impossible for some criminal purpose to malodor fiscal mayhem on an people well being and the procedure is known as a security freezing or recognition lock.

As of the first of November in 2007, all three recognition coverage federal agencies gave consumers in United States the ability to restrict entree to their individual recognition reports. Of course of study unless you are an existent victim of personal identity theft, the procedure is not actually free in most states. To set a freezing on your recognition study as a simple proactive measurement to avoid criminal larceny of your information; costs in most states and fees very widely. One would have got to travel to each of the three recognition bureau's web land sites for specific instruction manual and individual state fees. Additionally, to implement a freezing completely, the procedure to freezing your recognition study have got to be done at each agency: all of whom have assorted methodologies.

A recognition freeze makes supply significant personal identity larceny protection however, it is not without loopholes. It can not halt non-credit-related forms of Idaho theft, such as as the creative activity of a reduplicate driver's licence or criminal personal identity larceny (when a suspect gives your name to patrol when booked for a crime). It also won't halt an illegal immigrant or undocumented worker from using your Sociable Security Number to obtain employment.

Additionally, it won't halt every company from accessing your recognition report. New creditors are largely blocked out, yet still existing loaners i.e. your current recognition card company (for example) can still see your study and offering you new recognition cards. Also, aggregation federal federal federal agencies acting on behalf of these companies with your current account(s), state or local agencies that includes law enforcement, kid support agencies, trial tribunals pursuant to a warrant or subpoena, recognition monitoring companies and companies that sell recognition studies to consumers are still feasible accesses.

It also won't halt those pre-approved credit card offers. The bureaus can still give your name and computer address to recognition card companies. Of course, you can halt those mailings by making a simple phone call to 1-888-5OPTOUT or by visiting http://optoutprescreen.com.

Putting a freezing in topographic point necessitates some clip consuming paperwork like sending certified letters. And it intends keeping path of freezing and subsequent lifts of an imposed freeze. As declared earlier, it makes no good to freeze one or two reports. If you desire existent personal identity larceny protection, you'll have got to travel through the movement and demands to freeze all three recognition agencies. If you desire to acquire a new recognition card, you'll have got to raise at least one federal agencies recognition study freeze. To set about a major investing such as as purchasing a new home, you'll most likely have got got to raise all three recognition federal agency freezings then; bend around and make certain they are frozen again to safeguard your personal personal personal identity after the purchase is closed.

Gail Hillebrand, Consumers Union recognition agency expert, compares freezing fees to paying for coverage and declared "If you are the individual in the family who will have to unknot an identity larceny after it happens, then you probably believe $10 a dad is a good deal." Additionally, "Consumers who are already paying for $10-per-month recognition monitoring services should call off and pay for security freezings instead." she concluded.

Despite the clip ingestion and varying requirements, a recognition freezing is likely the most optimal thing you can do to halt most identity larceny before it lurks its exacerbating head. Think of it like the mark you put in your window that denotes the premiss is protected by an dismay system. Yes, the place can still be broken into but, many thieves who see an dismay would travel on to another target. Identity thieves who come up upon a security freezing when trying to acquire services in your name such as as recognition card game or loans are just as likely to travel onto the adjacent Sociable Security number.

Only the individual tin make up one's mind what is best for their ain circumstances. My only input signal would be with personal personal identity larceny on the rampage, some sort of proactive measurement is warranted to lesson opportunities of identity theft.

Identity Theft And The Hidden Culprit

2007-12-26T16:42:00.001-08:00

A batch of people trust the cyberspace but a batch especially those who have got got fallen quarry to personal identity larceny have learned the difficult manner that it doesn't pay to put your recognition card figure on the internet. Well, not just yet anyway. Recognition card game are the convenient reply of upwardly mobile people who desire to acquire their purchases done in the most comfortable, clip economy way. And e-commerce is the thought that allows enterprising people put up their merchandises and services over the World Wide Web.

As such, such as as minutes are mostly done on land site with the consumer on the trustful side and risking their private information just for the interest of convenience. Unfortunately, this information isn't safe and can be snatched by equally enterprising money grabbing individuals. They cavity computing machine against computing machine and the warfare is won with a few chinks and with the right amount of hacking know-how. Some have got even come up up with devices that are secretly sold capable of deciphering private codifications that are supposedly securely hidden behind the company unafraid site. What can the consumer hope for in the conflict against this word form of cybercrime?

It's difficult to happen the perpetrators because they happen imaginative ways of covering up their paths including using false Idahoes that is eventually hard to follow down to the user or they can travel from one populace computing machine to another, knowing that their footmarks in the cyberspace are swallowed up by anonymity. If today's conflict against cyber terrorism is being waged, there should equally be something that should be done to protect consumers from falling victims to cyber thieves.

The first line of defence many believe is the ability to supervise your recognition standings so you are well aware if person have been hacking into your recognition card. Some hackers do undeniably immense purchases right away and are a dead give away but some are "nibbler's". Just taking bantam bites or purchases that are hardly noticeable but ultimately when summed up come up up to a sizeable amount too.

You can seek using websites that have got Consumer recognition services that supposedly supply your current recognition information for a fee. Knowing what your balance is deserving today assists place if recognition larceny is happening to you. One should make what they can make to avoid falling victim to personal identity theft. They may eventually acquire blacklisted by recognition companies although it wasn't their fault or their repute might be questioned.

So make not throw away personal information such as as societal security or depository financial institution business relationship or charge statements in the rubbish bin. Person might be able to utilize this for their additions and besmirch your name in the same vein. Be wary of a sudden alteration of computer address that is not your doing. You can name your recognition card establishment and dual bank check every now and then. Never reply Spam or registry your recognition card with websites that are leery but tempting. Get more than information first. Finally, as much as possible brand your recognition purchases at the shop where you can see who manages your card.

Small Business Security - Protecting Your Business Against Fraud and Theft

2007-12-23T02:20:00.001-08:00

When I first co-founded a concern many old age ago, we did not pass much clip thought about security. We were too busy trying to acquire everything else done. This changed when we raised money from venture rugged individualists who insisted that our security be increased to protect their investment.

In general, a few tips for reducing threats:

Check out your employees before you engage them, bank bank check mentions and make a background check. Like most preventive measures, it is less expensive than dealing with the consequences, but it makes take time.

Limit entree that employees have got to information and to your server. If your waiter room is locked, but the individual in complaint of the stands-in maintains the cardinal in his desk in his cell - your waiter is not secure! If your hour individual have got entree to all the digital employee files, but maintains his or her watchword taped to the side of the computer, that information is not secure.

Require that your employees utilize strong watchwords and changed them regularly. This volition cause much grousing, but it's your concern and their jobs, so they will have to dwell with it.

Backup your information regularly. You should back up your information daily. Every hebdomad you should have got a hebdomad end stand-in that is taken off land site and stored. Annually backup your information and maintain it in a safe sedimentation box or with your attorney.

Have virus protection software system system and digital invasion sensing software installed and reviewed regularly. If you outsource your IT, the company providing these services should be able to supply this for you.

Lock your doors, even during concern hours.This is why Home Terminal sells those radio door bells. They are cheap. I am always astonied when I can walk into a concern with no receptionist and swan the hallways freely.

Get security cameras. This is both security for your concern and for your employees.

Assign one of your senior direction as security officer. This individual is in complaint of apprehension possible menaces and determining the best prevention. He or she should also have preparation in what to make in lawsuit of an intrusion, digital or otherwise.

Another country of security is internal fraud, specifically employees stealing from you. As the security military officer of one former company, I was required to take a social class on internal fraud. The features of the wrongdoer tended to be (1) male, (2) in his 20s, (3) college educated, and (4) had never committed a law-breaking before. Not to state that a 50 twelvemonth old female, high school drop-out criminal volition not perpetrate the crime, but statistically those were the features that came up most often.

Usually what haps is the culprit is in a bind, can't do a auto payment, rent, doctor's bill, and he begins with just "borrowing" money or points to pawn from the company. He have got got full purposes of "paying it back." But the ground he got stuck in the first topographic point still exists, so he have to steal more than to cover up the first crime, and on and on it goes.

To forestall this type of fraud, have strong accounting policies and procedures. Rich Person gross bank checks come up to a polonium Box. Rich Person a different individual mark the bank checks than the 1 who makes them. Let only one individual to make the ordering for the company and maintain an stock list of what each employee has. For instance, memory lodges vanish really easily. Yes, an occasional 1 acquires lost, but some 1 who loses them constantly may have got got a problem.

Ask your comptroller for aid is creating these policies and processes and have your books audited or reviewed at least annually.

Although it is possible to travel overboard on security, I cognize very few companies that actually make and most don't even come up close to basic security. Brand certain your company is not one that acquires caught saying "but she seemed so trustworthy, I can't believe that she stole from us."

S. Grafton, MA Entrepreneur Joins PrePaid Legal Freedom Team, Offers Identity Theft

2007-12-13T05:48:00.001-08:00

Published on: December 12th, 2007 10:26pm by:

() | |

(OPENPRESS) Dec. 12, 2007 -- S. Grafton, ma Daniel Bresnahan said he became an independent selling representative for the "Freedom Team" of PrePaid Legal, Inc. to assist people avoid personal identity larceny problems, and trade with the many legal issues that consequence people every day. "The news is filled with awful narratives about guiltless people who have got had their lives destroyed by personal identity theft. The norm individual makes not cognize how to manage legal problems, and usually the cost of a lawyer finds whether we are able to have justice. My desire is to acquire involved and assist people acquire the justness they deserve," said Bresnahan. The norm individual believes that aid from an lawyer is financially out of reach, so when something travels incorrect many shrug their shoulders, accept their fortune and travel on. When a landlord makes not repair things, when an coverage company makes not pay, or when any figure of things travel wrong, most people make not name a lawyer out of fearfulness of the cost, according to Bresnahan. "First Iodine was attracted to the personal identity larceny protection, then I learned how I can have got a complete legal protection program for my family. I realized that most people necessitate this, but make not cognize it exists, so I decided to go an independent selling rep so I can construct a concern offering this enormous programme to others," said Bresnahan. "While there are no peculiar accomplishments or former preparation necessary, self-starters World Health Organization have got got a desire to assist people be given to have more than success with the company," said Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. chief executive officer Harland Stonecipher. "As a company, we're committed to doing all we can to educate and railroad train our gross sales force." "I believe the programme is attracting the attending of the public because it turns to the demands most people have got for legal aid in their day-to-day lives," said Bresnahan. Bresnahan supplies further information on a web land site at "We work together as a squad to assist each other and to assist many more than people in communities all across the nation. We supply aid to each new selling representative acquire involved without and former experience. We have got a very simple concern theoretical account that anyone can easily implement the first twenty-four hours they begin," explained Bresnahan. About the PrePaid Legal Freedom Team:
A grouping of independent selling representatives with PrePaid Legal, Inc. have got got joined together in an attempt to assist educate and inform more than Americans on how easy it is to protect against personal identity larceny and to have legal protection for life's many challenges. The grouping welcomes new members. Press Contact:
David M. Bresnahan
801-804-5386 Press release services provided by http://www.ThatPRGuy.com

###Professional Free Press Release News Wire

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Indians among top 3 in legal immigrant population in US

2007-11-30T11:32:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON:
India is among the top three states sending people to the US, where one in
eight come ups from outside America, bringing the sum immigrant population to a
record 37.9 million - highest since the
1920s. Republic Of India is in the top
three of legal in-migration in the state accounting for a small more than than 1.7
million with nearly 39 per cent being United States citizens, said the survey released by
Center for Immigration
Studies. Out of a total
immigrant population of 37.9 million, an estimated 11.3 million are illegals
with 57 per cent coming from United Mexican States and 11 per cent from Central
America. Asia business relationships for at
least nine per cent of the illegal population in the
country. The statistics showed
that if about 2,22,000 people from Republic Of India were registered as lawful immigrants in
this state in 1980, that figure have progressively increased to 3,14,000
between 1980 and 1989, to 5,39,000 between 1990 and 1999, and to 6,29,000
between 2000 and 2007, it
said. Of the sum legal
immigration, more than than 31 per cent come up from Mexico, with South Asia coming in
at 5.5 per cent for a sum of a small over two million
immigrants. The up-to-the-minute study
also showed that immigrants business relationship for one in eight United States residents, the highest
level in 80 years. In 1970, it was one in 21. In 1980 it was one in 16 and in
1990 it was one in 13. Since
2000, 10.3 million immigrants have got arrived - the peak seven-year period of
immigration in United States history. More than one-half of post-2000 reachings (5.6 million)
are estimated to be illegal aliens.

What You Need To Know - 5 Types Of Identity Theft

2007-11-28T19:29:00.001-08:00

Many people make not recognize that there are different types of personal identity theft. There are indeed respective ways in which the personal identity stealer can take advantage of your personal information, while leaving you to cover with the repercussions. Here's what you necessitate to cognize about the 5 types of personal personal identity theft.

The type of identity larceny you are probably most familiar with is Financial Identity Theft. It is when the stealer utilizes your information to put up fiscal business relationships in your name without your permission or knowledge. The stealer may obtain recognition cards, loans, merchandise, homes, vehicles, holidays and more, all in your name. Financial personal personal identity larceny can definitely be you one thousands of dollars in debt, not to advert the conscientious procedure of glade your name and credit.

Another type of identity larceny is Checkup Identity Larceny wherein the stealer utilizes your information to obtain wellness and other medical benefits and services. Being a victim of medical personal identity larceny can ensue to deceitful charge and having inaccurate medical files. Your ability to acquire a wellness and life coverage may also be affected. Imagine the incubus of having an existent medical exigency and having your insurance company refusing to cover the measures as records demo you've already had the process done or you've depleted your coverage coverage.

An personal identity stealer can not only go forth you with dozens of debt, but go forth you with a criminal record as well. With Criminal Identity Theft, the thieves utilize your information to obtain employment, to perpetrate or distance themselves from crimes, or supply your information when questioned by law enforcement. Repercussions can run from unearned tickets to outstanding apprehension warrants and even impermanent imprisonment. Victims can also be fired from their occupations owed to an "undisclosed conviction".

An personal personal identity stealer can also utilize your identity to get a "new life". Basically, the stealer openly dwells and plant as you. This type of personal identity larceny is called Fictional Character Identity Larceny or Identity Cloning. Using your name, the stealer can accumulate taxation refunds and have got your benefits, obtain professional licenses, be married, have children or register for bankruptcy. The thieves are usually criminals, fugitives, illegal aliens, or people with mediocre work or fiscal history.

Identity larceny can not only be annihilating to people but to concerns as well especially in lawsuits wherein the business' recognition and the owner's recognition are one in the same. With Commercial Identity Larceny wherein felons acquire recognition by charging it to another business' name, concern trading operations may be severely affected owed to a loan being denied or called early or if involvement rates on cardinal recognition business relationships are increased owed to a cosmopolitan default cause.

Truly, an consciousness of these different types of personal identity larceny is helpful in protecting ourselves from becoming a victim of the crime. Given that personal identity larceny have now go more than common, it's definitely wise to cognize what we are up against in order to take the appropriate preventative measures.

Zimbabwe: Freedom Train, Economic Implications - AllAfrica.com

2007-11-15T04:25:00.001-08:00

Tendai Hildegarde ManzvanzvikeHarare

Yesterday I dealt with some of the societal impacts of the urban railroad transportation system system service, and highlighted how railroad trains have got revived the urban transportation system, thereby changing mobility patterns, particularly in Salisbury and Bulawayo.

Today, I look at some economical concerns pertaining to the railing system. An efficient conveyance and communicating system is an engine for economical growing and development. As people move from point A to point Type B doing business, it intends there are fewer idle heads or hands. It is, however, hoped that this mobility is translated into tangible and quantifiable economical activities.

I have got observed that the increased services offered by the NRZ are also creating a highly desirable urban civilization that could lend towards the economical verve of urban centres, as people are able to go throughout the day, at low-cost fares.

Compared with route travel, railing transportation system stays relatively safe. Experts also keep that railing transportation system is an energy-efficient and capital-intensive averages of mechanised land conveyance and that owed to assorted benefits, it is a major word form of public conveyance in many states other than Zimbabwe.

Rationale behind commuter train railroad train train service

The then lasting secretary in the Ministry of Conveyance and Communications, Cde Karikoga Kaseke pointed out that when the Government introduced urban commuter railing services for Salisbury and Bulawayo, the hope was the undertaking would convey economical benefit to the nation. Government realised that an efficient and effectual transportation system and communicating web was a major driver of economical growing and development.

The services were introduced despite the losings to the National Railways of Zimbabwe, which is heavily subsidised by Government. Freedom railroad train commuter trains are also aware that the day-to-day services they are getting are heavily subsidised. This is why they name the railroad train "bhazi redu rekuchipa" (our inexpensive bus).

Issues to consider

What is the impact of the railing transportation system service on economical turnaround time initiatives, and what is its possible impact on corridors of economical development along the paths the railroad trains ply? How can the web prolong itself and make the positive economical development benefits that it seeks?

Current Initiatives

There are major enterprises by the NRZ, Government and other stakeholders to revamp the railing conveyance web nationwide. This is in readying for the awaited inflow of foreign visitants for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

According to recent Press reports, beginning in 2008, the NRZ will present monolithic undertakings with the hope of raking in tons of foreign currency for the country. The new services will include a campaign train, while an ancient railroad railroad railroad railroad train service, leisure time train and international railroad trains would be introduced gradually.

The NRZ is also refurbishing paths especially damaged subdivisions countrywide.

Acting NRZ populace dealings director Zephania Taruvinga said the parastatal was trying to come in into joint partnerships with local and international investors in the touristry industry to put in the projects.

Projects' feasibleness and viability

Notwithstanding the applaudable attempts being made by the NRZ, I experience there are a figure of to the point issues that should be addressed under the commuter train train service project. Mobility intends economical growing and economical prosperity for the travelling populace and the state at large.

How practicable would it be to implement these solid undertakings like the 1 being introduced in 2008, given the immense hard cash injections in foreign currency that are required? This is because there are a figure of outstanding projects, some dating back to the 1960s that are yet to be implemented.

Relevant Links

Rail services to associate Chitungwiza and Domboshava have got been on the drawing boards since the sixties. Over the years, infinite surveys and recommendations have got been made to prioritise the Harare-Chitungwiza railing project. The demand for a commuter railroad train train for Chitungwiza is being felt now more than than ever when conveyance costs go on to rise, and when the state in general is facing an acute deficit of public transport.

There are also a figure of outstanding authorities sponsored feasibleness surveys carried out by the likes of Lucretia Coffin Mott Macdonald of the UK, and Electrowatt of Swirtzerland whose recommendations still have got to be considered and implemented. Some of the recommendations were that there be an incorporate attack to public transportation system services, incorporating belowground railways, trams, streetcar buses and ordinary conventional buses.

In 2004, Cde Kaseke said holds in implementing the Chitungwiza railing undertaking were owed to its viability. He said the undertaking was a loss-making venture and this would be true, even if the railroad line was constructed in the United States.

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Identity Theft Protection - How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

2007-09-20T13:06:00.001-07:00

It really isn't difficult to protect yourself from personal identity larceny if you simply utilize common sense. Unfortunately, a batch of people look to lose their common sense when it come ups to their identity.

Identity thieves are successful because they cognize that certain premises about how people will act are generally true. For example, they cognize that many people desire something for nothing. They also cognize that many people believe they cognize more than than they actually do, and so go over-confident. They also cognize that many people are careless with personal information simply because they aren't fully aware of the dangers out there, both on-and off-line, much less able to acknowledge them.

As a result, billions of people are extremely susceptible to "phishing" onslaughts - electronic mails purporting to be from individual else in an effort to garner personal information that tin be used for criminal gain.

In a "phishing" attack, a person acquires an electronic mail from, say, PayPal, asking them to corroborate their business relationship for one ground or another by clicking on a nexus in the email. Amazingly, even people who don't have got got PayPal business relationships have clicked on these golf course and provided all kind of information, including societal security numbers, recognition card numbers, mother's maiden name, and other personal information that tin then be used to open up recognition card business relationships (which are then maxed out) and other fiscal crimes.

The easiest and best manner to protect yourself against personal identity larceny through "phishing" attacks? Don't chink on any golf course in emails. Its as simple as that. (As an aside, retrieve that NO legitimate concern will inquire you - in an electronic mail - for ANY personal information. Not your name. Not your business relationship number. Not your password. Nothing. Think about it this way...if they direct you an electronic mail saying they have got lost your business relationship records and demand you to corroborate them, how make they cognize how to acquire ahold of you?)

While attempted Internet personal personal identity larceny haps daily, more than identity larceny actually happens offline. Lost or purloined wallets, embezzlement by household or friends, and larceny of your mail from your letter box or rubbish are among the most common ways thieves addition entree to your personal information.

Credit card companies bombardon us with recognition card offers. All you have got to make is fill up out the information and direct it in. Some companies even include the recognition card! Simply throwing these applications in the rubbish is not enough. If you don't have got a paper shredder...you can acquire one for $25...tear all those applications into pieces so that personal identity thieves cannot usage them to use for card game in your name. You can also name these companies and inquire that your name be removed from their mailing lists.

Protecting yourself from personal personal identity larceny is as simple as making certain you don't inadvertently supply your identity to aliens either online or off.

Reporting Identity Fraud

2007-09-13T07:38:00.001-07:00

If you believe you are a victim of personal identity fraud it is vitally of import that you take contiguous stairway to get repairing the harm that have been done. The harm may be more than than you believe it is, depending on the length of clip that person have had your personal personal identity and been using it.

First, you necessitate to be aware of the marks that you may be a victim of identity fraud. Some of the cardinal marks are:

Irregularities on your recognition study including applications for recognition that you didn't make or many applications in a short clip period of time.
Odd complaints on your recognition card that you make not retrieve making.
Odd backdowns on your checking business relationship or big amounts that you make not retrieve making.
New recognition card game being sent to your mailing computer address that you did not use for.
Statements from Banks that you do not cover with.
Emails or postal mail from sellers that you've not dealt with.

If you believe you may be the victim of personal identity fraud you should immediately get coverage your suspicions. You should register studies with:

Your depository fiscal institution and any financial establishments you cover with
Your recognition card companies
Your public utility companies (phone, electric, water, gas, cable)
Your local police
The Federal Soldier Trade Commission
The three national recognition bureaus fraud sections (addresses and telephone Numbers are listed below)

The three national recognition bureaus:

Equifax

polonium Box 740241

Atlanta, GA

30374-0241

1-800-525-6285

Experian

P.O. Box 2002

Allen, Texas

75013

1-888-397-3742

Trans Union LLC

Fraud Victim Aid Division

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, calcium

92634

1-800-680-7289

It is much quicker to name the recognition bureaus to describe a possible personal identity theft. The three recognition federal agencies should also direct you a free transcript of your recognition study for you to check up on over as well. When you have your recognition reports, bank check them over thoroughly and high spot anything that is unusual, or that you make not recall. Report these disagreements back to the recognition bureaus.

You should also look for new computer addresses that are attached to your name, it is possible that your mail is being sent to person else. Report the computer addresses to the postal inspector in your country as well as to the police force and recognition bureaus.

If you happen any new recognition business relationships in your name, difference them immediately and have got them closed down. These too should be reported to your police force and to the recognition bureaus. File an personal identity larceny affidavit with these creditors. Request from these creditors a transcript of the applications that were used to subscribe up and use for the account. This volition aid you turn out to the local government that person forged your signature and can be instrumental in getting these business relationships stricken from your recognition record.

Ensure that you maintain transcripts of all certification that you have and all interactions with your fiscal institutions, recognition bureaus, police, Federal Soldier Trade Commission, creditors, station business office – everything and anything that associates to your personal identity theft. You may necessitate to engage a lawyer to assist you with your lawsuit or to prosecute person who have committed personal personal identity fraud.

There is no clip to lose if you believe you've been a victim of identity theft. Waste no clip in beginning to establish an probe and coverage your determinations to those listed above in this article. Keep an oculus on your recognition studies and all the measures and mailings that come up through your postal mail and email.

The faster you happen out person is taking your identity, the more than you can make and the less harm that volition be done to your credit. Identity larceny is a serious substance and one that you may have got to take into your ain hands. Be vigilant with your personal, fiscal and recognition information and study anything leery immediately.

An Overview of Identity Theft

2007-08-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

Identity larceny is a relatively new word form of law-breaking where certain personal information of an individual is stolen by another group. Here's an overview of the subject.

The very thought of personal identity larceny is somewhat new. The phenomenon have grown out of the digitalisation of our society. We desire convenience and we desire it now! How many of us barely transport any hard cash now because of our standard atmosphere debit entry cards? How many of us pay some or all of our measures online? The Numbers are staggering.

With this convenience come ups some risk. Those of a criminal nature have got taken short letter of the possible value of using person else's identity. In a "plastic world", one can utilize an personal identity for just about anything. Just as importantly to the criminal mind, people are more than than willing to pay for a new personal personal identity as well.

So, what are the nuts and thunderbolts of identity theft? At its core, personal identity larceny happens when person additions entree to your critical personal information. The information they necessitate includes your legal name, current or recent computer address and societal security number. If they can acquire other Numbers such as as your recognition card or depository financial institution business relationship numbers, all the better.

Once they have got this information, there are a couple profitable ways they can go. They can tell things online and maintain them. They can run off a recognition card [it is easy] and then pass their manner across the state or locally. Alternatively, they can purchase expensive merchandises from local supplies and then go back them for the cash.

As you have got probably noticed, illegal in-migration is a hot button subject these days. Well, personal identity larceny felons are getting in on the act. Illegal immigrants necessitate societal security Numbers to acquire a occupation in many areas. Guess who can give them the Numbers in exchange for certain hard cash payments?

So, just how makes a criminal spell about committing widespread personal identity theft? They must be pretty smart, right? Some definitely are. In states of affairs like the incubus at the Monster occupation site, sophisticated worms and electronic mail techniques are used to fob people into coughing up their information.

More often than not, personal identity larceny is made possible by a blunder. CALPERS, the state employee pension monetary fund for California, is a classic example. The monetary fund went to direct out booklets to people notifying them of board elections and who was running. Oh, one problem. They printed the name, computer address and sociable security Numbers on 445,000 brochures!

At the end of the day, convenience come ups with a price. In our new practical world, personal identity larceny is it. We are at hazard for complex strategies and human error. We just have got to acquire used to it.

Laptops Stolen - Keeping Your Laptop In The Modern World

2007-07-30T12:38:00.001-07:00

Laptops stand for a nearly impossible enticement for thieves, in the workplace, at the java shop, or on campus. They're small, portable, usually of high value, and adjacent to impossible to trace.

Current estimations state that a laptop computer is stolen about once every minute in this country, or one-half a million of them per year, and 97% of them are never recovered. Even more than than frustrating than losing the hardware is losing any information that's on them – particularly if it's a corporate laptop, where the data files may be more valuable than the hardware!

Even if it's not a corporate laptop, it may have got your watchwords for web sites, fiscal land land sites like PayPal or eBay embedded in it, or your bank. This tin allow a laptop computer computer stealer make arrant hash of your business relationships in proceedings with virtually no manner to follow it back.

Holding on to your laptop is critically of import and there are some simple, common sense guidelines to assist you do this.

- Don't advertise. Carry your laptop computer in something that transports other things as well. Obvious laptop computer bags are alluring marks on campus and in airports.

- Keep your eyes on it. Don't allow it out of your sight. If that agency you wait to travel to the bathroom until after you've set it in the car, you make that.

- Disincentive counts. Use a seeable lock and cablegram to latch a laptop computer down to the tabular array or chair you're at – you don't necessitate to do this sap proof, but you make demand to make it look difficult to steal.

- When you're computing in a public place, usage passwords, usage encryption, and read all the web handiness listings carefully. One particularly pitiless fast one is to impersonate the WiFi web of a public place, generally by changing the missive "l" to the figure "1" in the name, and hope person links to them thinking they're connecting to the existent network, and using a keystroke logger.

- Don't be afraid to encrypt of import data. You can even put these things up so that person who have got your laptop computer computer necessitates to have your pollex thrust to read the information on the difficult drive.

- Look at all security options – marker your laptop with ultraviolet markings, including your name and telephone figure intends that if it's recovered, it may be returned. You can also purchase software system called LoJack for Laptops that volition secretly describe it as purloined after you've notified the company, and is hooked up on the internet.

- If you're doing corporate laptop computer management, have got policies in topographic point – laptop computers will acquire stolen. Look into distant information destruction; in concurrence with a alone ID, to take sensitive information from laptop computers that are stolen. Likewise, back up everything on a laptop computer computer – nil should ever be on a laptop that's company critical that doesn't have got a stand-in on your servers.

So return care. Guard your laptop computer and maintain your information safe.

Copyright Law And Legal Protection Of Your Work

2007-07-17T12:33:00.001-07:00

Copyright law is a agency of securing legal protection of your ownership of a publication or another type of intellectual property, such as as a website or a blog. If you print a book and mark a contract with a publisher, you normally hold to release all rights to the work until a certain status is met. This tin be a length of time, in which lawsuit you will begin to gain royalties after your book have been in black and white for a certain figure of months. It can also be a price, which would be the sum royalties that your book must gain before you begin getting paid. This terms is normally your publication advance, so when your book have made more than than your advance, you begin earning royalties.

When you print a book, a website or a blog you automatically set up ownership of that content, whether you subscribe a contract or not. International right of first publication law can be extremely complicated, with many different clauses and conditions. However, the criterion right of first publication for any publication is the life of the writer plus 50 years. Once this clip is over, the right of first publication of the publication could fall into the custody of any figure of entities. Your right of first publication usually falls into the public domain, but you could have got a particular clause in your contract stipulating otherwise.

There are two different types of right of first publication that are generally established for a publication. The first is the right of first publication in the literary work itself, which have the continuance of your life plus 50 years. The 2nd is the right of first publication in the layout, formatting and distinct "feel" of the publication. According to right of first publication law the content stays your intellectual place for 50 old age after that specific publication, so if your book sees a new edition a century after its first publication, you will still ain this copyright.

What is Cybersquatting and What Can Be Done About It? ACPA or UDRP?

2007-06-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had a third party register a domain name that is either exactly the same or very similar to your trademark? If so, it may be a Cybersquatting issue. Cybersquatting is registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with a bad-faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. To address this issue, Congress enacted what is known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act ("ACPA"). The ACPA amended the Lanham Act by providing trademark owners with a civil remedy against cybersquatting.

If you're not sure how this may affect your business, let's run through some examples. The typical scenario is that the name of your product, or your company name is a registered trademark (or a strong common law trademark). However, you failed to register the domain name for whatever reason. Joe Schmo cybersquatter decides to beat you to the punch and registers the domain name of your trademark. He may have even registered plural versions or misspellings of your trademark as well (this is known as typosquatting). Joe Schmo cybersquatter is simply holding the domain name for ransom hoping to sell it back to you for a nice profit, or he may decide to keep domain name knowing that he will get a lot of traffic to his websites. The cybersquatter may sell products similar to yours or is simply engaged in affiliate marketing and makes money off of the clicks on his website. These situations can obviously cause consumer confusion and can easily cause lost profits to your company and dilution of your trademark(s) as well.

One avenue of recourse is filing an ACPA claim in federal court. The Plaintiff in an Anti-Cybersquatting suit must establish:

1. The Defendant has a bad faith intent to profit from the mark, including a defendant name which is protected as a mark;
2. registers, traffics in, or uses a domain name that--

(I) in the case of a mark that is distinctive at the time of registration of the domain name, is identical or confusingly similar to that mark;

(II) in the case of a famous mark that is famous at the time of registration of the domain name, is identical or confusingly similar to or dilutive of that mark; or

(III) is a trademark, word, or name protected by reason of 18 U.S.C. § 706 (the Red Cross, the American National Red Cross or the Geneva cross) or 36 U.S.C. § 220506

It's important to distinguish cases in which the cybersquatter is obviously acting in bad faith, from situations in which the individual simply registered the domain name with the intent of doing something else with it that is unrelated to trademark owner's goods and/or services.

The ACPA excludes a finding of bad faith where the domain name holder reasonably believed that the use was "fair use" or otherwise lawful. Accordingly, bad faith is the biggest component in an ACPA claim. So what is bad faith? There are several elements the federal courts will consider such as:

The trademark ownership rights held by the mark owner;
The closeness of the domain name and the cybersquatter's name;
The cybersquatter's commercial use of the domain name for access to a web site;
The cybersquatter's intent to divert web traffic from the mark owner;
The cybersquatter's offer to sell the domain name to the mark owner;
Whether the cybersquatter gave misleading information in registering the domain name; and
Similar or repeated cybersquatting on other marks.

For example, in Hasbro Inc. v. Clue Computing Inc. [66 F. Supp.2d 177 (D. Mass 2000)], the district court held that Clue Computing's use of its registered domain name clue.com, was in fair use, despite Hasbro's existing registration of the trademark "Clue" for its famous board game. The two company's fields in which the names were used were not related; Clue Computing had registered the disputed domain name first, used it in legitimate commerce, and not attempted to sell the domain name to Hasbro.

UDRP or ACPA?

So if you've concluded that someone has cybersquatted one of your trademarks, should you file a ACPA lawsuit? Before doing so, you should consult with your intellectual property attorney about other avenues such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy ("UDRP"). UDPR is an ICANN-approved arbitration that resolves domain name disputes submitted to ICANN for resolution. Very often (nearly 75% of UDRP cases) results in the cancellation of the cybersquatter's domain name registration. The standards to establish cybersquatting in UDRP cases for wrongful registration is very similar to ACPA's standards. Furthermore, UDRP proceedings are typically much less expensive and quicker (about 2-3 months total compared to ACPA which is federal litigation and may take years if not settled before trial). Another advantage with the UDRP is that it's well suited for international domain name disputes because the hearings are ex parte (based only on filed documents; no witnesses or parties are present). UDRP can be used in addition to an ACPA litigation or possibly done before or after an ACPA ruling because UDRP rulings are not binding upon the courts. Also, UDRP findings may be appealed. This is a departure from most arbitration practice (www.icann.org/udrp).

However, the remedies in UDRP proceedings are limited to only transfers of the domain name. Compared to an ACPA litigation, the Plaintiff may obtain monetary damages, attorney's fees and costs (in exceptional cases), and/or an injunction, in addition to the cancellation or transfer of the improper web domain name to the original owner. Furthermore, under ACPA the Plaintiff has the option of suing for statutory damages for $1,000 to $100,000, as the court deems just under the circumstances.

© 2007 Michael N. Cohen, Esq. Mr. Cohen specializes in intellectual property and is a licensed patent attorney in Los Angeles, California. No portion of this article may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the express written approval of the author. Michael Cohen can be reached at 310-288-4500, www.patentlawip.com or www.trademarkattorneyip.com

This article is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. You should consult with an attorney familiar with the issues and the laws.

Questionable Class Action Suit Commenced Against Avvo Attorney Rating Website

2007-06-26T07:36:00.001-07:00

How do most people select their attorney? Probably by word of mouth. Or maybe they have a family member or friend who practices law. This may be a good method in some instances. But what if you don't know anyone who has used a lawyer, and can you really have confidence in the qualifications of your cousin Vinnie? What if there was a rating system that gave lawyers a numerical rating computed on various factors? Well on June 5th a company just launched a website service that does just that.

The company is called Avvo and their service compiles data from state bar associations and other sources and tries to compute a numeric score between 1 and 10 for nearly every attorney in the country. Avvo was co-founded by Mark Britton, an attorney for 15 years and formerly the top lawyer at Expedia.com. He partnered with Paul Bloom, a veteran of Microsoft's Consumer Division, and they assembled a team with expertise in law, consumer products, and technology to develop their product.

From the Avvo website, the company's principles are set forth as follows:

At Avvo, our mission is to help people navigate the complex and confusing legal industry. Choosing a lawyer is an incredibly important decision—yet most people have no idea how to go about doing it, and resources to guide them are scarce.

Avvo is guided by two basic principles:

Focus on the needs of regular people. Many of the resources available today were developed for people who are already legal industry "insiders"—but Avvo was created specifically to help people who know very little about the law and may have no experience choosing a lawyer.

Provide information, as well as guidance. We believe that providing open access to information about lawyers, coupled with guidance on how to use that information, is the best way to help people choose the right lawyer. Information is empowering: the more people learn more about attorneys and how to select an attorney, the more comfortable and confident they'll feel seeking legal help—and we think this will benefit both clients and lawyers.

I find these principles to be laudable. Just how does Avvo compute its 10 point rating assessment? That information is proprietary and not disclosed. Their website simply explains:

The Avvo Rating is our assessment of how well a lawyer could handle your legal issue. It is based on data we have collected about hundreds of thousands of lawyers - including their number of years in practice, disciplinary sanctions, and professional achievements. The data comes from multiple sources, including state bar associations, court records, lawyer websites, and information lawyers provide to Avvo. We have created a mathematical model that considers this information and calculates a score on a ten-point scale. The result is called the Avvo Rating.

What has been lawyers' reaction to the Avvo rating system? Well, you might have guessed it - a class action suit. On June 14th, a Seattle attorney by the name of Steve W. Berman, a managing partner at Hagens, Berman, Sobol, Shapiro in Seattle, filed a class action lawsuit challenging the Avvo rating system. Apparently some lawyers have complained that their Avvo rating is arbitrary, and that the Avvo system in some instances gave convicted felons higher numeric scores than law school deans. Berman's firm has a history of filing class action lawsuits against technology companies. It's gone after Apple for its iPod (allegedly too loud), eBay (allegedly a monopoly), Expedia (allegedly too expensive), and Apple, again, for the iPod Nano (allegedly too scratch-prone).

The mathematical model used to compute the Avvo rating may or may not be flawed. And in some instances some lawyers may object to their rating. But I can't think for the life of me what the plaintiffs' theory of recovery in the class action would be. I suppose it would be something along the following:

I am a lawyer, and because I am a lawyer I and am not allowed to be rated by any service whether that service is based on a mathematical model of available data or otherwise. Lawyers cannot be rated on a numerical basis, and consumers are incapable in evaluating whether a particular rating system provides them with meaningful information. Such a rating system inherently provides consumers with misleading information, and since I am a lawyer, if I don't like my rating I am irreparably harmed, and I can recovery monetary damages from whomever created the rating.

It's an interesting theory of recovery. But nearly every category of product or service that I can think of I receives ratings in one form or another. Should Zagat's be careful when it provides numerical ratings for a restaurant's food, service and decor? Should movie critics be concerned when they give a movie 1 and half stars rather than 5 stars? Should the Automobile Association of America - AAA - worry about a class action suit when it gives a group of lodgings two diamonds as opposed to three. Rating systems give consumers valuable information in comparing two different products or services when they lack first hand information about those products or services. Rating services also provide an incentive for firms to provide the highest quality of services possibly. Do lawyers honestly believe that they are so unique, so different, that the services they provide are so different, that they simply cannot be evaluated on a numerical basis? If they do, they are probably not concerned with providing their clients with quality services in the first place. Wouldn't a good lawyer want to be rated?

I believe that what is needed is not less services which rate lawyers, but more. What if there were four or five numerical systems which rated attorneys. Then consumers who don't have a great lawyer in the family would be able to take information from the variety such services, as well as other information, and make the best possible choice. In addition, rating services are particularly important for legal services because lawyers have a monopoly in providing legal services. There is not a totally free market in legal services as the number of those who can provide legal services is restricted by the licensing requirement for lawyers. Only when there is a completely free market are consumers presented with all the information needed to make rational decisions as competing firms have the most incentive to provide that information.

Again, Avvo's rating system may not be perfect, but they should be commended in attempting to provide consumers with an additional method in selecting an attorney. And Mr. Berman's class action suit should be condemned by all lawyers. It should be noted that Mr. Berman's personal rating on the Avvo system achieved a 9.2. I wonder if in the eyes of the public Mr. Berman's rating will increase or decrease by commencing this questionable class action suit.

What Is Identity Theft - Credit Card Identity Theft?

2007-05-18T19:47:00.001-07:00

Identity theft has recently become a widely recognized problem, although it only started being mentioned in literature in the 1990's. It is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world and therefore one which we do all need to be aware of and take precautions against. In this article we will look more specifically at what identity theft is in order to give you more background in order to fight identity theft and credit card identity theft.

Identity theft consists of any crime where a criminal uses a person's personal information such as name, social security number or other personal identification facts in any illegal manner. This may include credit card identity theft where the criminal uses the person's name and details to either open up a new credit card in the other person's name in order not to pay and so works up debt in the other person's name; or taking details of that persons credit card and creating a fake copy which they then use. It may also consist of medical identity theft where a criminal uses someone's personal details and medical information illegally.

Credit card identity theft may occur in a number of different ways. Firstly, someone could scan the information off your credit card while you are not watching and use it to create a duplicate card; they could actually steal your card and use it for their own purposes; or they may open a credit card in your name, using your details but a false address and never pay the bill.

Identity theft occurs when people get hold of your personal details either through credit card skimming, stealing mail out of your mailbox or trash or perhaps breaking into hospital records or other places where your personal details are kept.

In order to best protect yourself against identity theft you should ensure that any paper that you put into the trash is properly shredded beforehand, that you request not to be on any mailing lists for credit offers and opt out of other mailing lists where people send you information in the mail. You should also ensure that your credit card never leaves your sight in stores or restaurants and if you are unsure of the place rather try to pay by cash. Learn as much as you can about identity theft in order to get more information on how to protect yourself.

In this article we have tried to briefly summarize identity theft and credit card identity theft. It is a fast growing crime and one for which we all need to protect ourselves. Personal information may be stolen and used in a number of different ways and you should be aware of these ways and how you can best fight identity theft.

Copyright and the Internet

2007-05-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

If a piece of work or something someone/some people have created then they should own the rights to it and therefore it belongs to them. There is of course varying degrees in how many rights they reserve and different countries more than likely have their own interpretations, but on the web this becomes a bit more of a grey area, with no-one to stringently enforce the laws, that's not to say that if you do violate them you wont be caught.

I was always told "In order not to plagiarize someones work, you read a book, close it, then write what you have learned from memory and that way you are not plagiarizing". With that in mind it might also be considered a good idea to make reference to the material used; this of course would be with regards to a book or an article belonging to someone else.

From a standpoint of websites and SEO it is always going to be better to not use someone else's published material, whether they give you right to or otherwise. This is because search engines are looking for original content, content that is unique and can only be traced to one source. So, by using someone else's work or writings a search engine is likely to put your site far back or near the end of the search results and class your page as being in one form or another as a copy.

How to avoid breaking Copyright and Plagiarism

1. Do not directly copy or lift sentences/paragraphs of someone's work, that is not to say you cannot use someone else's work in a quote to back up what you are saying so long as you reference the original author properly.

2. If you have found something in someone else's work that you like or need to use in some manor, then you can always paraphrase, by doing so you are rewriting the original document in your own words and way as to make the text clearer. With paraphrasing you are not allowed to use distinct phrases or words that have already been used by the author.

3. Check your Countries Copyright laws as different Countries have different copyright laws or at lease different interpretations of the law. This may also be useful if using someone else's work from a different country.

4. If in doubt about whether you're breaking copyright or any laws, then avoid the questionable act until such time as you can get clarification or find the correct answer. This way you can avoid any legal action by not taking a unnecessary risk.