The rise of online intermediaries, such as Google, Amazon and
Facebook, has radically changed the way in which many businesses
and individuals operate and has introduced novel legal and business
questions and challenges. It is easier and cheaper than ever for
bad actors to use online tools, whether it be websites, platforms
or online profiles, to commit a variety of unlawful activities such
as impersonating a business, associating themselves with a business
without any such connection or otherwise attempting to trade on the
goodwill of a business. As each new platform or service is created,
more opportunities exist for unlawful activity, including
intellectual property ("IP") infringement and violations.
These developments have caused significant challenges for
businesses seeking to enforce their IP rights and protect their
brands and reputations.