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Twitter Lawsuit

TMCnews Featured Article


January 20, 2011

Twitter Lawsuit

By Juliana Kenny, TMCnet Managing Editor


I don’t follow any celebrities on Twitter because, frankly, my friends are more exciting, but those in the social media world may not be able to get Ashton Kutcher’s tweets or P Diddy’s short-lived ramblings anymore after VS Technologies sues Twitter for its patent rights.


VS Technologies claimed that Twitter infringes on its patent titled “Method and system for creating an interactive virtual community of famous people.”

Aside from the fact that that patent title just made me think of a cluster of Justin Timberlakes and Britney Spears at my fingertips ready to manipulate around a small made-up village, VS Technologies’  claim has yet to be proven valid.

Whatever community Twitter has formed is one formed at the will of famous people as they all individually sign up for the social networking system, and part of its great appeal is the “commoner’s” ability to “interact” with famous people. Stefanie Mosca, Web Editor for TMC (News - Alert) stated in an article, “If you’re a social media junkie yourself, imagine how often you post a status or check on what your friends are up to. But did you ever stop to think that maybe celebrities want in on the fun too? I mean they are people too right? Sure most celebrities have their own Facebook (News - Alert) fan pages, but Twitter has become the most popular platform for stars to personally express themselves to their fans and followers.”

Many celebrities consider Twitter to be a marketing plug, and many might not realize that they change and alter their own brands with every tweet. The impact of social media in general on each celebrity’s own brand will most likely be taken into account during this case “Twitter should not be held responsible for celebrities taking a liking to the social networking site,” Mosca added.  

VS Technologies is asking for compensation for Twitter’s use of its patented technologies. A spokesman for Twitter stated, “We can’t comment on the specifics of this. We will vigorously defend ourselves, and we are concerned about whether the patent system is properly encouraging innovation.”

This lawsuit against Twitter brings the social networking site into the legal spotlight again afterit was the fulcrum of a dispute between celebrity Courtney Love and designer Dawn Simorangkir, as reported a week ago. The debate brings into question the power of social media and the weight it will hold as a source of information to the public and whether or not the laws of libel and slander apply to it.


Juliana Kenny graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double degree in English and French. After managing a small company for two years, she joined TMC as a Web Editor for TMCnet. Juliana currently focuses on the call center and CRM industries, but she also writes about cloud telephony and network gear including softswitches.

Edited by Juliana Kenny








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