AI in Elections: How the “DonBot” is Changing the U.S. Political & Regulatory Landscape

By: Samuel Scott Technology is the future of everything, and more recently, technological innovation has made its way into the headlines of this election season.  An independent Congressional candidate, Bentley Hensel is challenging decade-long tenured democrat Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th District for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.  The four candidates… Read More AI in Elections: How the “DonBot” is Changing the U.S. Political & Regulatory Landscape

Securing Our Homes, Surrendering Our Privacy: The Legal Risks of Smart Surveillance

By: Nicholas Tagg Over the last two decades, the prevalence and ease of use of home video security systems have exploded.  These security systems have allowed people to surveil their homes better and more cheaply than ever.  As of 2024, about 72% of homes have at least one type of security device.  In addition, when… Read More Securing Our Homes, Surrendering Our Privacy: The Legal Risks of Smart Surveillance

Trademark Tacking: The Continuum of Brand Identity

By: Kelsey Shaughnessy We are constantly surrounded by brands, and their names, logos, and product packaging, in our daily lives.  Brands use their trademarks to get our attention, shock us, and create humor, to be memorable to a consumer.  Trademarks are vital to brand identity; encompassing tangible and intangible elements, like the history and personality,… Read More Trademark Tacking: The Continuum of Brand Identity

I Can Buy Myself Flowers, But Is It Fair to Use Them? The Copyright Clash Over Miley Cyrus’s ‘Flowers’

By: Brianna Marquinez Miley Cyrus, international pop star, was sued in September 2024 for copyright infringement regarding her Grammy-award winning single “Flowers” because it contains conspicuous similarities to the track “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars.  The lawsuit alleges that Cyrus’ song encompasses the impermissible exploitation of numerous elements from Mars’ song, revealing… Read More I Can Buy Myself Flowers, But Is It Fair to Use Them? The Copyright Clash Over Miley Cyrus’s ‘Flowers’

Cleared for Takeoff: How New Drone Regulations Are Reshaping the Skies

By: Noah Plafker Twenty years ago, if you were told that you could own and operate your own flying robot, you would have laughed.  However, today, virtually anyone can purchase a drone, otherwise known as an unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”).  Initially, drones were associated with the military, primarily being used for intelligence gathering and as… Read More Cleared for Takeoff: How New Drone Regulations Are Reshaping the Skies

Visa’s Control Over Debit Cards: How the threat fintech companies pose to Visa’s dominance gave rise to alleged monopolization

By: Gor Bagumyan Debit networks, such as Visa Inc., offer a secure network for the transfer of money between a consumer’s bank and the merchant’s bank.  Merchants decide which debit networks to accept payments through and banks issuing debit cards decide which debit networks to make their cards compatible with.  In theory, the choice regarding… Read More Visa’s Control Over Debit Cards: How the threat fintech companies pose to Visa’s dominance gave rise to alleged monopolization

Teen Accounts: Will Meta’s New Update Sufficiently Protect Young Users?

By: Meredith Garrity On September 17th, 2024, Instagram announced the implementation of “Teen Accounts”, an update that addresses the growing concerns parents have about unsafe content their children consume.  This development comes as a response to the legal and public pressure Meta faces, culminating in litigation from over thirty U.S. states.  The lawsuit claims Meta’s… Read More Teen Accounts: Will Meta’s New Update Sufficiently Protect Young Users?

Powering the Future: How Google and Tech Giants are Revolutionizing U.S. Electricity with Small Modular Reactors

By: Evan Mason Google has announced a historic agreement to purchase advanced nuclear energy to support its AI technologies and clean, affordable energy goals.  This landmark deal, branded as the world’s first corporate agreement for electricity sourced from advanced nuclear technology, signifies a paradigm shift in the way big tech companies develop and power their… Read More Powering the Future: How Google and Tech Giants are Revolutionizing U.S. Electricity with Small Modular Reactors

Unlocking Minds: The Promise of Neurotechnology and the Challenge of Data Privacy

By: Grace Drost Microchips in the brain and mind-reading devices sound like something straight out of a science fiction film.  However, science fiction is increasingly sounding like reality.  Neuralink, a device designed to give paralyzed patients the ability to control digital devices through their thoughts, has successfully been implanted in a second patient.  Another team… Read More Unlocking Minds: The Promise of Neurotechnology and the Challenge of Data Privacy

Sue Anyone with a Click of a Button? FTC Cracks Down on DoNotPay’s Misleading AI Claims

By: Kerry L. Alvarez How comfortable are you asking for legal advice on the internet?  Do you trust the accuracy of what you find in your search results?  Now, imagine bypassing traditional legal fees and hiring an internet “Robot Lawyer” instead of a human attorney.  While this might sound like the future of accessible legal… Read More Sue Anyone with a Click of a Button? FTC Cracks Down on DoNotPay’s Misleading AI Claims

NFTs: Collectibles or Securities? Navigating the Digital Asset Frontier

By: Charlotte Golnik The non-fungible token (“NFT”) market is expanding and expected to reach $231.98 billion by 2030.  NFTs traded on platforms like OpenSea are unique digital assets with monetary value that represent real-world objects.  Unlike fungible cryptocurrencies, NFTs are non-fungible and cannot be replicated, thanks to digital signatures and smart contracts that secure ownership… Read More NFTs: Collectibles or Securities? Navigating the Digital Asset Frontier

AI and the Potential for Perpetuating Bias: Why the Judiciary Should Proceed with Caution

By: Nicole Harvey Eleventh Circuit Judge, Kevin C. Newsom, is making waves again for his controversial view that artificial intelligence (“AI”) could—and potentially should—be used to help judges interpret terms central to legal disputes.  Judge Newsom first voiced that opinion in May of this year when he penned a concurrence in Snell v. United Specialty… Read More AI and the Potential for Perpetuating Bias: Why the Judiciary Should Proceed with Caution

Implications of Marathon Mining’s Noise Crisis in Rural Texas

By: Hannah Gebhardt In Hood County of rural Texas, Bitcoin mining technology has moved in and residents are not happy about it.  Recently, Marathon Digital Holdings moved a bitcoin mining facility to Granbury, Texas, bringing noise pollution in the range of 85 decibels along with it.  As a result of the move, numerous legal, health,… Read More Implications of Marathon Mining’s Noise Crisis in Rural Texas

Online Sports Betting, How a Lack of Federal Regulation has Impacted Consumers after Murphy

By: Meredith Garrity Massachusetts is no stranger to a winning reputation when it comes to professional sports, home to winning franchises such as the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, the Red Sox, and the Boston Bruins.  In recent years, the state has also become host to several online sportsbooks, upholding the multi-billion-dollar industry of… Read More Online Sports Betting, How a Lack of Federal Regulation has Impacted Consumers after Murphy

The NRC Battles with Courts Over Nuclear Waste Disposal

By: Stephen Edelblut As global environmental concerns continue to heighten, American policymakers have begun placing greater emphasis on incentives for renewable energy.  Nuclear energy, often overshadowed by alternative forms of energy, remains a more environmentally neutral and a long-term sustainability energy source.  However, the disposal of nuclear waste poses a severe cost and risk burden… Read More The NRC Battles with Courts Over Nuclear Waste Disposal

The 2024 Election and the Future of Federal Offshore Wind Technology and Leases

By:  Lily Wear The Biden Administration recently approved their tenth offshore wind project in federal waters.  This approval will lead to 15 gigawatts of energy being produced from offshore wind in the US, half of the goal that Joe Biden set at the beginning of his term.  Offshore wind has been touted by many, including the… Read More The 2024 Election and the Future of Federal Offshore Wind Technology and Leases

Tracking Trouble: The Flo Health Privacy Scandal and What It Means for Your Data

By:  Kerry Alvarez In today’s digital age, how can we ensure that the information stored on our devices remains private?  Ideally, individuals should have control over who can access their data and the extent of that access.  But what happens when that choice is taken away?  What if, despite your efforts to protect sensitive personal… Read More Tracking Trouble: The Flo Health Privacy Scandal and What It Means for Your Data

Pose With a Purpose: Kylian Mbappé’s Celebration Trademark and Its Impact on Soccer Culture

By: Brianna Marquinez Kylian Mbappé, French soccer superstar, has registered a European Trademark (“EUTM”) for his legendary goal celebration pose.  This registration joins many other trademarks already in his collection, including his name, company logo, and famous quotes.  Since Mbappé has registered a plethora of trademarks, there has been growing discussion about how intellectual property… Read More Pose With a Purpose: Kylian Mbappé’s Celebration Trademark and Its Impact on Soccer Culture

Navigating Trademark Challenges in the Age of Viral Trends: Jools Lebron’s Race Against Time

By: Grace Drost “Very demure, very mindful, very cutesy”.  If you have been on social media at all this past month, or are subscribed to any company promotional listserv, it is likely this saying is not new to you.  This is thanks to TikTok creator Jools Lebron whose fun video describing work appropriate hair and… Read More Navigating Trademark Challenges in the Age of Viral Trends: Jools Lebron’s Race Against Time