Computer Ethics, Fall 2021

Mondays 5:30-8:00, Dumbach 6
Class 11: Nov 22, 2021

Class 11 Readings

Finish reading the Chapter 4 material on patents
Read chapter 5 on crime




I need to clarify how ad markets work: when someone visits a page and therefore triggers the ad-bidding process, only the ad network (that is, Google and similar) engage in bidding, and only those ad networks know the profile of the person visiting the page. Advertisers sign up for the parameters of the audience they want to reach, and Google/similar makes all the actual ad-placement decisions.

Choosing ad keywords: support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2453986?hl=en&ref_topic=3119131

Smart ad bidding: support.google.com/google-ads/answer/7065882

Armslist §230 defense fails

Judge Griesbach accepts the limitations on §230 suggested by the Seventh Circuit. (Though those limitations were not actually part of a decision.)

But Armslist still wins its case, on a Wisconsin theory of lack of liability when the negligent act is only remotely connected to the subsequent harm.

reason.com/volokh/2021/11/12/court-rejects-negligence-lawsuit-against-armslist-over-murder-using-gun-bought-in-armslist-facilitated-transaction.






Debates

Eolas

E-data

i4i

NTP

Patent trolls

Business methods

Apple patents

Stallman

Graham

Europe

KSR v Teleflex

Bilski

Mayo Labs, Myriad Genetics

Abstract patents; Ultramercial and Alice