Blog
Open Source Software and the Many Questions it Brings
From a legal standpoint, open source software creates a lot of questions. Who owns the collective work? Does a developer own his or her edits?
Fortnite Folly
Hyper-robust copyright protection for simple dance moves might not be ideal, but there does seem to be a cognizable harm in extracting an original dance from a community and monetizing it in the way Epic Games has with Fortnite’s emotes.
Let Them Eat Privacy Policies: When do Facebook Users Give Consent?
If you want to use Facebook, you do not have much choice — you must accept their use of your data or else not use the service.
Biologics and the New NAFTA
Although USMCA does not appear to radically upend trade relations between the three countries, its ratification would usher in a variety of noteworthy changes.
Who You Gonna Call? The SEC, CFTC, and Regulatory Jurisdiction Over Digital Assets
The ambiguity surrounding the exact definition of ‘virtual currency’ and which particular digital assets qualify as virtual currencies (and therefore would be classified as commodities) could lead to a potential turf war between the SEC and CFTC.
Huawei: 21st Century Trojan Horse or Misunderstood Technology Giant?
It is possible that American officials are correct in their assessment that America and China are locked in a technological arms race, with Huawei posing a sizeable threat to the security of NATO member-states.
Online and Blind: Recent Ninth Circuit Decision Paves Way for More ADA Litigation
In recent years there has been a surge of cases aimed at forcing companies to make their websites more accessible to the visually impaired.
Should Smart Personal Assistants Ever Report Your Conversations?
While most people have an aversion to the thought of their private conversations being recorded and transmitted, some might also say that they would want Siri to step if it were asked about a school shooting.
Closing the Book on Copyrights Once Again
After a 40-year hiatus, in large part due to the work of the world’s best-known mouse, the United States’ lengthy copyrights will start to terminate again this year.
It Must be True, I Read it on the Internet: Regulating Fake News in the Digital Age
Should the United States go further in implementing legislation to combat fake news? And can it even do so given the protections of the First Amendment?
My Car Broke the Law
In order to minimize accidents by making automated vehicles that behave in safe and predictable ways, it may be necessary to program them to break the law.
Qualcomm v. Apple : Why We Should Strengthen Trade Secrets on Programming Code
Although both sides have raised valid claims against the other’s seemingly unethical behavior across their many legal disputes, the inability for Qualcomm to monitor how Apple has protected its trade-secreted source code seems especially dire.
Tell Me About Your Tech Platform: Legal Technology and the Evolving Demands of Lawyers and Clients
As clients continue to demand lower billable hours and rates, firms are likely to search for ways to improve efficiency on their end.
Satan, Sabrina, and Netflix: A Copyright Story
On October 28, Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple religious organization, tweeted the Temple’s intention to take legal action against Netflix for an allegedly infringing statue featured in the new show, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Online Harassment IRL: Legislation in the Wake of the First Deadly Swatting
The results of a successful swatting are uniformly dangerous for the target, family or friends who live with the target, and the law enforcement officers themselves.
FRAND Royalties will Impact the Cost of Your Next Smart Phone
No matter who determines the FRAND rate or how it is calculated, it is likely to have a significant effect on the cost of your next smartphone.
The Reach of Sovereign Immunity in IPRs
How does one balance the rights of sovereigns residing within a greater jurisdiction with fundamental rules of fairness?
A Tale of Two-Wheeled Invaders
When I arrived in San Francisco early this summer, I marveled at the tech-forward presence of electric scooters all over the sidewalks. Much to my disappointment, the scooters were quickly banned.
FTC Urged to Address Manipulative Ads in Preschool Apps
A recent study by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital shows that many apps are abusing the developmental vulnerabilities of preschool-aged children to get them to watch advertisements and make in-app purchases.
Hacking Your Heart: The Danger of Cloud-Connected Medical Devices
Hackers can use unsecured wireless connections to hack into implanted devices. Connected medical devices can then be individually manipulated—insulin pumps can be programmed to send an excess amount of medication; pacemakers to send an extra shock to the heart.
Mr. “Steal-Your-[Company’s Consumer Data]”: Cyber-Risks and Corporate Governance
Considering the frequency of headlines warning of recent data breaches in American companies, it is critical that company boards become familiar with cyber-risks.
Act 2 Enforcement for Antitrust and Algorithms
The development of intelligent algorithms has firms concerned about their exposure to antitrust liability in situations where they are passive participants in cartels formed by their intelligent pricing algorithms.
SUPPORT-ing Telemedicine
The SUPPORT Act permits and encourages telemedicine programs aimed at combating opioid addition by expanding Medicare coverage to cover telehealth services for substance use disorders.
Tablets for All, Apps for . . . Some?
While many see the benefits of providing tablets in prisons, the race to enter the market combined with a lack of regulation is a recipe for harm to both prisoners and prison administration.
Posts on the MTLR Blog are editorial opinion pieces written by student-editors of the Michigan Technology Law Review. The opinions expressed in these editorial posts are not espoused or endorsed by the University of Michigan or its Law School. To view scholarly Articles and Notes published by the Michigan Technology Law Review, please visit the MTLR home page.