Deceptively Slow To Update A Website?

from the patience dept

How fast do you need to update a corporate website when things change? We all have heard stories about how slow some people are to update websites — but at what point does it qualify as a legally deceptive act? According to Tech Law Advisor, an attorney is now suing his old firm for failing to remove his name from its website for nearly a year (they also didn’t remove his voicemail). He claims that it helped confuse the public and made it more difficult for him to set up his own law practice. Of course, as someone notes in the article, he probably needs to prove how damaging this actually was — and that may be difficult. So what is the legal responsibility of a firm to disassociate itself with its former employees? For smaller firms, it’s no surprise that updating a website can be slow, but it can happen at larger firms as well. For example, a few bloggers have noted that Google still has Evan Williams listed as the contact in Alexa for all Blogspot blogs, despite the fact that Williams left Google quite some time ago.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Deceptively Slow To Update A Website?”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
8 Comments
Kat o Nine Tales (user link) says:

Re: Re: I don't know how damaging it was...

If he’s trying to “set up his own law practice” per the article, that isn’t an issue if you mean “hire” as in “create an employer/employee relationship.” “Hire” in the sense you’d hire a lawyer also makes this unlikely because of confidentiality rules unless you just don’t pay the guy.

Andrew Strasser (user link) says:

I personally like advertising...

It always helps to see that people didn’t forget you when you left would be my take on that hehe. This especially if you’re in the same business as you were before and these are possible clients or another business where they could be possible clients. Maybe confusing but still advertising and even bad advertising is good advertising.

Sam Alito says:

No Subject Given

Failure to update websites can be frustrating, but I’m not sure as to the actual damage. If an individual cannot bury past associations, it can definitely come back to haunt him, but if you know enough of the right people, it won’t hurt.

Check out my cool new email! They already have my account set-up! It’s a lead pipe cinch!

Bob says:

The attorney is correct

He looks to have a good case. If it can be proven that the firm was continuing to use his identity and namesake for a reason, such as to increase profits by falsifying his presence at the firm, then he should win.

I find it ironic that a law firm has set itself up for this type suit. Surely they had the sense to remove his name from their website. Although maybe they didn’t have much sense to begin with, which could be why the lawyer understandably left.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...