In a recent “Expert Analysis” article published by Law360, shareholders Aron U. Raskas and Nicole K. Atkinson penned an editorial piece on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, explaining what is at stake with its potential repeal and why Congress should not act precipitously or extremely.
The article, Congress Shouldn’t Abrogate Section 230 Immunity, discusses the risks of potentially eliminating or reducing the immunity of interactive computer service providers.
Though Section 230 remains targeted from both sides of the aisle, for different reasons and with varying concerns, the internet has expanded and thrived for more than two decades because of this legislation.
Often referred to as the 26 words that created the internet, Section 230 states that “[n]o provider … of an interactive computer service shall be treated as a publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”
Last year, in Doe v. Kik Interactive Inc, where Raskas and Atkinson were counsel for the defendants, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled on the first impression of the interrelationship between Section 230 and FOSTA, a newly enacted law that impinged upon the existing Section 230 immunity. The Kik Interactive court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. According to Raskas and Atkinson, there is a message that emerged from that ruling for interactive computer service providers and lawmakers: When providers knowingly and deliberately make choices that affect content distribution, they provide fodder for those seeking to end the immunity provided by Section 230. However, when providers strictly fulfill their traditional roles of equitably facilitating the distribution of content, the existing law provides a reasonable balance of interests.
Read the full Law360 article here.
Aron U. Raskas is a shareholder in Gunster’s business litigation practice in Miami. Raskas is a trial lawyer that often represents plaintiffs and defendants in business, criminal, regulatory and other litigation and arbitration matters. He also advises and represents law firms in professional liability matters and individual attorneys facing disciplinary charges. Raskas has been recognized for many years by The Best Lawyers in America® in commercial litigation and Maryland Super Lawyers. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings.
Nicole K. Atkinson is a shareholder in Gunster’s business litigation practice in West Palm Beach. Atkinson represents clients in a variety of litigation and estate and trust matters and has a broad range of experience at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts throughout the country. Her practice includes defending accountants and lawyers in professional liability cases, handling complex business litigation matters, contract disputes, real estate disputes, product liability litigation, intellectual property litigation and estate and trust litigation. Atkinson has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in commercial litigation, real estate litigation and estate and trust litigation.
If you have any questions, please contact Gunster shareholder, Aron U. Raskas.
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This publication is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and legal counsel should be contacted before any action is taken that might be influenced by this publication.
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Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa Bayshore, Tampa Downtown, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 280 attorneys and consultants, and over 290 committed professional staff, Gunster is ranked among the National Law Journal’s list of the 500 largest law firms and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practice areas, offices and insider’s view newsletters is available at www.gunster.com.
