Communications & Internet Law Lawyers

Communications and Internet Law Lawyers in the United States

The internet has transformed how people communicate, do business, and share information. It has also created an entire category of legal disputes that didn't exist thirty years ago. Communications and internet law attorneys handle cases involving online speech, data privacy, telecommunications regulations, and digital commerce across all fifty states.

What Communications and Internet Law Covers

Internet law spans a wide range of issues tied to online activity and telecommunications. This includes website terms of service, domain name disputes, cybersquatting, online defamation, and digital intellectual property conflicts. Lawyers in this field also handle matters involving the Communications Decency Act, Section 230 protections, and FCC regulations.

On the business side, these attorneys deal with data privacy compliance, e-commerce regulations, software licensing, and social media policies. They also represent clients in disputes over online content removal, revenge porn laws, and unauthorized use of digital content. The field intersects heavily with First Amendment law and consumer protection statutes.

When to Hire a Communications or Internet Law Attorney

• Someone has posted defamatory content about you or your business online and refuses to remove it
• Your company needs to comply with data privacy laws like CCPA, COPPA, or state-level breach notification statutes
• You're involved in a domain name dispute or cybersquatting claim under the UDRP process
• A platform has removed your content or suspended your account in a way that affects your livelihood
• You've received a cease-and-desist letter related to online speech or digital copyright claims

How the Legal Process Works

Most internet law cases begin with a demand letter or takedown notice. DMCA takedown requests, for example, follow a specific statutory process. If informal resolution fails, cases move to federal or state court depending on the claims involved.

Domain disputes often go through ICANN's UDRP arbitration process, which typically resolves within 60 days. Defamation cases require proving actual harm to reputation, and roughly 90% of civil cases settle before trial. Cases involving government regulation may go through administrative proceedings with the FCC or FTC first.

How Compensation and Outcomes Are Determined

• Actual damages in defamation cases are calculated based on lost revenue, lost business opportunities, and measurable harm to reputation
• Statutory damages under the DMCA can range from $200 to $150,000 per work infringed, depending on whether the infringement was willful
• Data breach victims may recover costs for credit monitoring, identity theft losses, and emotional distress in class action settlements
• Domain name dispute winners typically receive transfer of the domain rather than monetary compensation
• Courts may award injunctive relief ordering content removal, which many plaintiffs value more than money damages

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue someone for what they posted about me online?

Yes, if the statements are false and caused you harm. Online defamation claims follow the same legal standards as traditional defamation. You'll need to identify the poster, prove the statements were false, and show actual damages. Anonymous posters can be identified through subpoenas to internet service providers.

Does Section 230 protect all websites from liability?

No. Section 230 generally shields platforms from liability for user-generated content, but it has limits. It does not protect against federal criminal law violations, intellectual property claims, or content the platform itself creates. Courts continue to refine its boundaries through new case decisions each year.