Blog
Do The SEC’s New Equity Crowdfunding Rules Accomplish Anything?
With stringent restrictions limiting the amount that individuals can invest, it seems the SEC might not have accomplished all that was hoped for in the last three and a half years.
Computers, the Private Search Doctrine, and the Fourth Amendment
The private search exception to the Fourth Amendment has been universally accepted, but this exception is facing new problems in how it applies to computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices.
CISA Passes to the Dismay of Many
Since its inception in 2014, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (“CISA”)
Complications in Machinima: Using Video Game Footage to Generate Cinematic Productions and Potential Conflicts with Copyright Law
Despite the inherent risk of copyright infringement associated with machinima, prospective machinimators do have options. Particularly if they do not intend to commercialize their projects, many machinimators will likely be protected by end user license agreements provided by video game companies.
Is 2015 the Last Year for Patent Trolls?
Despite the prevalence of patent trolls and widespread support for reform, we have yet to see any significant action by Congress.
Soaring to New Heights: Flying Cars and the Law
For decades, innovators and science fiction enthusiasts have predicted the advent of a flying car, but until recently, that vision has remained just that, a vision. Flying cars, however, may not be as far away as once thought.
Data Privacy: Is the U.S. “Safe Harbor” Disappearing?
American companies have no choice but to operate in the European Union, and the European Union may now have the authority it needs to push back against lax American data security regulations.
Fair Use (Victory?) In Dancing Baby YouTube Video Ruling
Letz’s holding sounds promising for fair use, but spells more of the same when it comes to takedown notice practices.
O Brave New World: Assisted Reproduction and Same-Sex Couples
As tens of thousands of babies continue to be born through IDF in the U.S. and same-sex relationships become increasingly accepted, lawyers will have the opportunity to play a role in defining what these new relationships will mean for family law issues such as adoption, divorce, surrogacy, and inheritance.
The Future of ODR: The Promise of Advancing Technology
Even if trust and intimacy increase and technology makes virtual interaction more and more like reality, perhaps there is something about true face-to-face human connection that will never be replaceable. However, there is undoubtedly huge potential for Online Dispute Resolution to thrive under the correct circumstances.
Profiling of Chinese Americans to Continue, Despite Historic U.S.-China Cyber Agreement
Despite leaders of both China and the U.S. offering optimistic prognoses for cooperation between both nations, it appears Chinese Americans, especially Chinese Americans employed in defense, tech, and energy sectors, can expect little relief from intense government scrutiny.
Missing the Boat on Broadband
By focusing on the number of high-speed internet providers in a particular region, representation of a consumer’s overall lack of choice is distorted.
The Emergence of “Police States” in Developing Countries
As many countries struggle with the interactions of encryption and policing, India takes a bold step.
Unresolved Issues for Affirmative Consent Applications
Consent Apps such as Good2Go must rethink their entire approach to consent if they would like to become relevant or even effective in the fight against sexual assault on university campuses.
California Governor Shoots Down Drone Privacy Bill
With Governor Brown’s veto, the commercial drone industry scores a victory in California.
Microsoft’s Fight for Extraterritorial Data Privacy
In oral arguments today, Microsoft fights to limit the international reach of warrants for private data. The decision could have far-reaching consequences as to data privacy, Cloud computing, foreign relations law and the extraterritoriality of search warrants.
Tinker Toys or Dandy Devices?
Although European antitrust authorities continue to investigate Google’s advertising and bundling practices, the odds of a Microsoft-like agreement increase.
The Future of Net Neutrality
The FCC’s new rule prohibiting internet-service providers (ISP) from slowing down applications or services is being challenged by on multiple fronts.
Twitter and Cyber-bullying
While Twitter has neither a legal obligation to censor its users nor an imposed requirement to protect free speech, its use of anti-harassment tools is commendable.
The Danger of “Just & Reasonable” Net Neutrality Rules: The Potential Toothlessness of the FCC’s New Rules
While the FCC’s new “just and reasonable” net neutrality rule is a step in the right direction toward an open Internet, it is not a clear victory for net neutrality advocates.
Glancing at the USPTO Enhanced Patent Quality Initiative
Since it began its enhance patent quality initiative , the USPTO is better positioned to address patent quality than ever before.
Autonomous Cars: The Legality of Cars on Autopilot
While the idea of an autonomous car is exciting to many drivers, there are serious legal questions regarding autonomous cars that have yet to be answered.
Will the “Blurred Lines” Verdict Fuel Excessive Litigation?
Recent copyright infringement cases where infringement is predicated on the similar “feel” of the original and an infringing song is a step in the wrong direction.
Increased Use of StingRay Devices May Raise More than Just Privacy Concerns
Local law enforcement’s increasing use of Stingray, a technology used to pull metadata of a cellphone without the knowledge of the owner, undermines the legitimacy of the criminal justice system.
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.