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Illinois Internet Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to joke that I am “the unofficial lawyer” for a group of people online?

I do give legal advice, but it is nothing that is actually being taken to court, saying stuff like “doxxing is illegal under these laws”

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

Claiming to be a lawyer or providing legal services without proper licensure and credentials can potentially be problematic. Even if meant as a joke, it could be misinterpreted. There are laws in many jurisdictions against the unauthorized practice of law.

Some key points to consider:...
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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to joke that I am “the unofficial lawyer” for a group of people online?

I do give legal advice, but it is nothing that is actually being taken to court, saying stuff like “doxxing is illegal under these laws”

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 17, 2024

It's fairly clear to the average person that you mean it jokingly, but as my colleague suggests, it could be better to avoid saying such things. It could be safer to say something like, "This is the way I would interpret it, but it could best to check with a lawyer in Illinois ." Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Internet Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Do I have a right to photos of me taken by my stepmom, an illegal guardian, and posted on her Facebook page?

I would like to get my photos removed from my stepmom's Facebook page as they are my photos that were taken when I was a minor under the illegal guardianship of my stepmom. Since those photos of me were taken by my stepmom who was not my legal guardian, I believe I have a right to them and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 8, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation with your stepmother. This is a complex issue that involves several areas of law. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Guardianship: If your stepmom was not your legal guardian at the time the photos were taken, she may not have had...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Internet Law and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Do I have a right to photos of me taken by my stepmom, an illegal guardian, and posted on her Facebook page?

I would like to get my photos removed from my stepmom's Facebook page as they are my photos that were taken when I was a minor under the illegal guardianship of my stepmom. Since those photos of me were taken by my stepmom who was not my legal guardian, I believe I have a right to them and... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on May 22, 2024

I think you would have to file a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to order her to remove them. But I think you also would have to add what harm they are doing to you. And put when the last time was that she put one up. Children don't have control of who takes care of them.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to catfish pedophiles and make them pay money to you, or is this fraud?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2024

Engaging in the act of catfishing, particularly with the intention of targeting and exploiting pedophiles, raises significant ethical and legal concerns. While it may seem like a form of vigilante justice, it's important to recognize that such actions could potentially constitute fraud and may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: If you already have an LLC and you create a new unique product - is it better to set up a new LLC to separate it?

I am wondering about legal protection and how it works with legal issues. If an issue surfaces and you have multiple LLCs do they all get called into court since your name as a member is on all of them - is there really any more legal protection with a LLC vs ones that already exist?

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Dec 23, 2022

No, the LLCs are separate, if you have kept them separate with different bank accounts, addresses, etc.

If your new product can be protected because of its new process (it does something that no other product does) perhaps your protection is not from the type of structure but in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Should I send my letter to Facebook’s headquarters or their legal department about access to download my info

from my terminated / disabled account?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 8, 2024

If you want to download your information from a terminated or disabled Facebook account, it's best to reach out directly to their legal department. They handle requests related to account data and can guide you through the necessary steps. Sending your request there increases the chances it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: can a parent that owns the phone put restrictions on the phone that have a 18 year olds private information on it?

i am an 18 year old male and I am dealing with my mom and dad putting more and more restrictions on the phone that I use that they pay for. my main thing is that they are able to go through my phone at anytime and they track me without my knowledge

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 2, 2023

A parent cannot intercept or monitor their child's electronic communications without their consent. Additionally, a parent cannot use their child's private information for their own personal gain.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of internet questions and responses, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Domestic Violence and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: I was charged with domestic battery but it was dropped to just a battery at the end. Why we’re my guns rights taken away

I wasn’t convicted of the domestic battery just convicted of battery

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Oct 21, 2022

Because that type of crime affects one’s eligibility to handle firearms in Illinois. Consider retaining a good defense counsel to dispose of the battery case correctly.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Internet Law and Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: what to do when police and media publish false statements to community of a person arrested for 1st degree murder

our small town corruption is all over this town the police are bias to me and my family to a point they do not help us and crimes commited against us are either flipped or completely ignored all together like a home invasion was committed at my home i had it on video and the police caught them in... View More

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Aug 31, 2022

Any criminal arrest may be discovered publicly. The charging decision lies with the prosecution after a felony review, based on the police investigation and other existing evidence.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Lawsuit I need pls no Illinois or Minneapolis lawyer pls agsinst a Illinois judge Shapiro he giving my wife spcL treat

marie the one who has Illinois judge Shapiro an special treatment personal against me

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Dec 6, 2021

Even generally, in order to assess your particular legal situation involving a certain judge you must discuss all facts and details directly with a LICENSED attorney in the jurisdiction where you think the action took place.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Illinois on
Q: My 13 year old gave another kid his I p and Google it upon which was sent by the other kid to a user in another state to

Which that person launched a DOS attack on the school disabling wifi. Now my child is being charged with a level 5 felony. Can this be true if he did not launch the attack?

Alexander Ivakhnenko
Alexander Ivakhnenko
answered on Sep 30, 2021

There is no such thing as "level five felony in Illinois", as Illinois has the following felony Classes: 1, 2, 3, 4, and X.

You must immediately discuss your minor's child criminal exposure off any public venue or fora with a competent licensed attorney as that situation has...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: How are police able to track you on the internet if you committed a crime?

If you committed a cyber crime can police track you in any way other then an ip address? Like via your internet browser even if the cyber crime took place on a different website other then your internet search site or a MAC address? If they are able to track you only through an ip address and you... View More

Juan Ooink
Juan Ooink
answered on Feb 22, 2021

First, you need to stop posting information regarding a potential crime. Second, if you have been charged with an offense, you need to hire a Criminal Defense Attorney right away. Finally, DO NOT speak to the police without an attorney by your side.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Elder Law and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Victim of bad theft case from my brother n his wife/lied 2 detective he believed her 2) No questions to my brother

They have sold on ebay auctions etc large sports memorabilia collection other collectibles etc both are on social security disability barely was getting by every month paid 1 house off bought another 1 n paid a lawyer $20,000 to fight me on my own property i reported them to office of the IG

George W. Svoboda
George W. Svoboda
answered on Aug 12, 2020

Did they steal the collectibles from you? Did they use that money to buy the new house? If the police won't pursue the theft, you can't force them. You can sue them for the cost of your stuff. Do they have enough equity in the house to go after? However, they could then file bankruptcy... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Communications Law, Internet Law, Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Can my girlfriend use my last name on social media

My gf n i broke up she has my washer dryer and freezer i messaged her to ask when i could come by and get them no answer so i tried instagram and found out she is using my last name and now claiming im harassing her when she never told me to stop nor did she just block me but i told her i would be... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Sep 11, 2019

Amicable?

adjective

(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.

"there will be an amicable settlement of the dispute"

synonyms: friendly, good-natured, cordial, civil, courteous, polite, easy,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: I am building an ecommerce website similar to Amazon, allowing third-party sellers, etc.

For the media items, like movies & tv shows, I have embedded trailers from YouTube into the listings. According to YouTube, as long as videos are embedded and not copy & pasted, this is perfectly acceptable, allowable, and legal, found here:... View More

Griffin Klema
Griffin Klema
answered on Apr 16, 2019

If you have created a successful business, you're going to get silly/aggressive/unfounded accusers, just be ready and have a good lawyer on retainer to deal with such issues as they arise.

As for embedding YouTube videos onto your own website (for profit), this is a common question....
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1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Illinois on
Q: Are shaming sites legal? People privately submit stories of others they know, bad stories, meant to expose them.

I know doxing is illegal, say they post address and phone, but what if they just post the city / state, is that illegal?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 3, 2018

As a general rule, if people intentionally publish false things about others, verbally or in writing, they could be sued for defamation.

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Communications Law, Contracts and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Events management company wanting to use attendees headshots in marketing on social media (i.e. twitter, LinkedIn, etc).

what are the legalities behind this? do we need to ask permission first?

Carrie A. Ward
Carrie A. Ward
answered on Mar 15, 2018

You need affirmative consent to use their images for promotional purposes. Did you hav them sign a release? Were they provided affirmative notice that their pictures were taken and may be used for promotional purposes? An experienced attorney in the promotional space can help you develop the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law, Criminal Law and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: What type of lawyer handles threats to post nude pictures to the internet?

Ex wife emailed nude pictures of present wife to the present wife's employer and is now threatening to email them to more people.

Nrupa Patel
Nrupa Patel
answered on Jul 5, 2017

You need to report this to the police ASAP. Dessimating photos like this without consent is a crime.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Family Law and Internet Law for Illinois on
Q: Someone I know has been sending me harassing emails, over 25+ in the last 2 mo. a comment on my FB business page

She also is accusing me of false allegations. I kindly asked her to stop but, she hasn't. This stems from a family fued between my boyfriend and her husband which I have nothing to do with. What can I do to protect myself?

Ray Choudhry
Ray Choudhry
answered on Apr 28, 2017

Harassing emails may entitle you to an order of protection.

The settings on Facebook may allow you to block a specific person.

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