Media Matters is looking into allegations that its rights holder, Righthaven LLC, has been filing suits alleging copyright infringement.
While on the surface this sounds like just another case of Old Media's ineptitude in the digital world, the selective enforcement of copyright protection have some questioning potential political motives behind their actions.
Since March, groups like the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws have been sued for alleged copyright infringement of Las Vegas Review-Journal material.
Violations by others, such as Nevada Republican Senate Candidate Danny Tarkanian, have brought no action by Righthaven.
The selective enforcement raises several questions. The Review-Journal has often supported Republican candidates, while publisher Sherman Frederick is your typical liberal-hating businessman who finds it easier to convince people by presenting incorrect information.
It's in the context of this bias that the company's turning a blind eye towards infractions by conservatives, while aggressively pursuing suits against progressive groups, is possibly a case of inappropriate use of in-kind contributions of a political group or candidate over another.
Government watchdog groups and former FEC chairs have weighed in and noted the possible election law violations. It remains to be seen if this will be investigated further.