This is a tentative list of the subject areas we are working on for the CMLP Legal Guide. If there are subjects we've missed or inadequately addressed, please let us know via our Feedback Form.

General Legal Issues

1. Creating a Business
   1. Should I Create a Business?
   2. Choosing a Business Form
   3. Not-For-Profit Entities
   4. How to Start a Business in Your State
   5. Business Models for Citizen Journalism
2. Creating a Website
   1. Starting a Blog
   2. Starting a Website
   3. Blog-Hosting Site Comparison
3. Deciding Whether and How to License Your Content
4. Deciding Whether and How to be Anonymous
   1. Factors to Consider About Anonymity
   2. How to Maintain Your Anonymity
   3. Legal Challenges to Anonymity
5. Legal Obligations of Website Operators
   1. Terms of Service and Website Privacy
   2. DMCA Safe Harbor Provision
6. Insurance
   1. Summary of Homeowners Insurance Policies
7. Journalism Skills and Principles
8. What Should You Do If You Are Sued?
   1. Whether and How to Find a Lawyer
   2. Dealing with Cease & Desist Letters
   3. Legal Self-Help

Access to Government Information, Electronic Records, Meetings and Public Fora

1. Access to Records Under Freedom of Information Laws
   1. Federal Freedom of Information Act
   2. State Laws
2. Electronic Records
   1. Electronic Records under Federal Law
   2. State Electronic Records
3. Right to Enter Public, Quasi-Public, and Restricted Fora
   1. Public Fora
   2. Quasi-Public Fora
   3. Private Property
4. Access to Government Meetings
   1. Access to Federal Agencies
   2. Access to Federal Advisory Committees
   3. State Open Meetings Laws
5. Information on Individuals/Privacy
6. The President and Executive Branch
7. Congress
8. Access to Courts
9. Elections
10. Medical Information
11. Prisons
12. Records from Other Countries

Risks Associated With Publication

1. Restricted and Criminal Speech
   1. Obscenity and Pornography
2. Defamation
   1. Overview and Elements of Defamation
      1. Who Can Sue for Defamation
      2. What Is a Defamatory Statement
      3. Public and Private Figures
      4. Actual Malice and Negligence
   2. Privileges and Defenses
      1. Substantial Truth
      2. Fair Report Privilege
      3. Opinion and Fair Comment Privileges
      4. Neutral Reportage
      5. Wire Service Defense
   3. Statute of Limitations for Defamation
   4. Best Practices for Avoiding Defamation
3. False Light
4. Rights of Publicity & Misappropriation
5. Privacy and Publication of Private Facts
6. Publishing the Statements and Content of Others
   1. Quoting and Republishing the Statements of Others
7. Allowing Others to Post on Your Site
   1. Liability for the Statements of Others: CDA 230 Immunity
   2. Liability for the Content of Others: DMCA Immunity
8. Publishing Improperly Obtained Information
   1. Publishing Illegally Recorded Materials
   2. Publishing Trade Secrets
   3. Publishing National Security Information
9. Retractions and Corrections
   1. State Retraction Statutes
10. Anti-SLAPP Laws

Newsgathering

1. Entering the Property of Others
   1. Access to Public and Private Property
   2. Trespass
   3. Best Practices When Entering the Property of Others
2. Gathering Private Information
   1. Elements of Intrusion
   2. Best Practices for Avoiding Intrusion Claims
3. Acquiring Documents and Other Property
   1. Conversion
   2. Best Practices for Acquiring Documents and Other Property
4. Recording Conversations, Phone Calls, and Meetings
   1. Recording Phone Calls and Conversations
   2. Recording Public Meetings and Court Hearings
   3. Best Practices for Recording Conversations, Phone Calls, and Meetings
5. Protecting Sources and Source Materials
   1. Dealing with Subpoenas
   2. State Shield Laws
   3. Other Privileges
6. Gag Orders and Prior Restraints

Intellectual Property

1. Copyright
   1. Copyright Ownership
   2. Copyright Notice and Registration
   3. Using the Work of Others - Fair Use
   4. Allowing Others to Use Your Work
   5. Linking to Copyrighted Materials
   6. Allowing Others to Post on Your Site
   7. Digital Millenium Copyright Act
2. Trademark
   1. Using the Trademarks of Others
   2. Trademark Registration
   3. Protecting Your Trademark Rights
3. Trade Secrets
   1. Publishing Trade Secrets
4. Immunity for Third-Party Content
5. Licensing

Special Risks Associated With Certain Types of Content

1. Employee Blogs
   1. Disclosure of Trade Secrets
   2. Disclosure of Financial Information
   3. Other Issues
2. Covering Politics and Elections
   1. Photographs at Polling Places
   2. Covering Political Campaigns
   3. Seeking to Influence Elections
   4. Campaign Finance Law
3. Political Websites
4. Publishing Information For or About Children
   1. Juvenile Proceedings
   2. Child Online Protection Act
5. Publishing Reviews of Restaurants, Services, People, Etc.
   1. Publishing Your Own Reviews
   1. Publishing the Reviews of Others

Other Legal Issues

1. Online Advertising and Marketing