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1500 questions
23
votes
4 answers
Can a US citizen be required to provide the authentication key for encrypted data on a confiscated computer?
I'm asking this for the sake of a story I was considering writing.
Assume that someone has a computer, and within that computer he has some encrypted data. He is accused of a crime and the police get a search warrant to confiscate his computer. …
dsollen
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23
votes
7 answers
What should I look for when seeking a lawyer?
The standard legal disclaimer is that someone should ask a lawyer if they really need legal advice. So how do you find the right lawyer?
How can you judge how "good" a lawyer is? How can you find what is a fair price? Are there other things you…
Nattgew
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22
votes
5 answers
Is Intentional Bankruptcy Illegal?
This is a completely hypothetical scenario and so I'm happy for answers for any jurisdiction, however I'm based in the UK and so some of my terminology may be specific to there.
What is the legality of establishing a limited company, paying myself…
Luke
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22
votes
1 answer
Can a virus scanner be sued by the makers of a program they label as spyware for recommending its removal?
Ages ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was in college, I went to a recruiting event for a company that collected and sold statistical data. They explained that they got the information by installing programs on people's computer 'in…
dsollen
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22
votes
1 answer
When did criminal discovery rules substantially form?
The apparent non-existence of any criminal discovery/disclosure in Anatomy of a murder (1959) has struck me as odd and wildly disturbing. The trial is just a series of surprises to both sides.
For example, the defense has no much idea what the main…
Greendrake
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22
votes
1 answer
Is it legal to intentionally wait before filing a copyright lawsuit to maximize profits?
Let's say someone uses my intellectual property without my consent and uses it for commercial purposes. Can I wait until they've made many millions of dollars off of my work, so that I can sue and take a large portion of or all of that money? This…
Some Guy
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22
votes
3 answers
Is customer entitled to the same car tested in the test drive or in the ad?
I know someone who went to purchase a brand new car from a dealer in the US. The customer came in with an internet ad and asked to test drive the car listed. After the test drive, she paid for it. But when she returned outside, and got in the new…
Village
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22
votes
4 answers
Why is Star Wars a copyright issue but a MLB team is not?
Over the weekend, I was asked to be part of a photo shoot for a political candidate. I was wearing a t-shirt that featured a Star Wars character and the photographer stated that he wanted to position me in a fashion so it wasn't visible to avoid a,…
Pyrotechnical
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22
votes
5 answers
What offence if any is committed by guessing a combination entry lock on a door?
If one effectively guesses the correct passcode to the lock so as to open it without causing any damage and then peacefully enters (seemingly a mere civil trespass) the (previously) secured premises, do they commit any criminal offence?
TylerDurden
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22
votes
6 answers
What's stopping someone from saying "I don't remember"?
There are (at least) two problems possibly stemming from a person testifying in court:
If they tell the truth, the testimony may have negative consequences they potentially don't like (which is the whole point of 5th Amendment, when the testimony…
user0306
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22
votes
2 answers
Why was nine-pin bowling illegal in most states, unlike ten-pin bowling?
In the 1800s, ten-pin bowling was invented as a way to circumvent the ban on nine-pin bowling that was placed by all states except Texas. However, ten-pin bowling was not banned by any state. I don't see any difference in the two sports other than…
mathlander
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22
votes
2 answers
What is the state of intellectual property when the owner goes bankrupt?
A company makes a great game called "AwesomeGame" that costs 20€.
They sell thousands of copies of the game, but ultimately go bankrupt.
What is the status of the game at that point? Do any intellection-property rights or protections of it still…
Fortune
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22
votes
3 answers
Why don't courts punish time-wasting tactics?
Inspired by the lawsuit filed amidst an ongoing controversy in the chess world. In brief, one player (Carlsen) accused another (Niemann) of cheating, and Niemann filed a defamation lawsuit against Carlsen + two other defendants (Chess.com &…
Allure
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22
votes
3 answers
In a state with the common law definition of theft, can you force a store to take cash by "pretending" to steal?
If I understand correctly, (a) under common law, theft requires an intent to permanently deprive the owner, and (b) legal tender only applies to debts, not purchases. B is the reason why stores do not have to accept cash. However, if I take goods…
Someone
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22
votes
1 answer
What is the penalty for a bad-acting juror?
Let's say Bob is part of the jury during a trial. But Bob is a dishonest/bad juror. What penalties could he face, and what party would be prosecuting him?
The particular scenarios I have in mind are:
Bob happily blabs to the media and exposes all…
chausies
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