Technology & Telecommunications

S1:E10 - Covering Your Digital Assets: Intellectual Property Rights and Gaming

June 19, 2019

Steve and Nick explore intellectual property rights issues in gaming, and discuss recent cases involving alleged copyright and trademark infringement with intellectual property lawyer Gail Podolsky.

Cracks in the Armor?

June 17, 2019

In another defense-favorable Section 230 ruling, the DC Circuit dismissed claims against tech companies brought by more than a dozen locksmith companies.

Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Court Split: Copyright Registration Is a Prerequisite to a Copyright Infringement Suit

June 11, 2019

S1:E9 - Investing in Esports: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouse Is

June 5, 2019

Join Steve and Nick as they discuss the spectacular rise of esports, as well as various ways companies are investing in esports. They are joined by startup and venture capital attorney Adam Smith, who highlights some of the concerns unique to investing in esports and businesses in this space.

S1:E8 - Censoring Online Influencers: FTC Endorsement Guidelines and the First Amendment

May 22, 2019

The FTC regulates endorsements and promotions by online influencers, including those in the gaming space. Join Steve and Nick as they discuss these guidelines as well as best practices for both influencers and companies behind the campaigns. They also interview First Amendment lawyer Justin Wales and discuss the guidelines’ impact on online speech.

Supreme Court Upholds Ninth Circuit Decision: Antitrust Action Against Apple May Proceed

May 17, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court determined that iPhone users may proceed with antitrust claims over alleged anticompetitive app store practices.

U.S. Regulation of Loot Boxes Heats Up with Announcement of New Legislation

May 9, 2019

S1:E7 - Unfinished Business: Legal and Practical Issues with Early Access Games

May 8, 2019

Steve and Nick explain the Early Access model for releasing games, explore the legal and practical considerations that come with it, and debate its impact on the gaming industry.

S1:E6 - The Impact of Net Neutrality on the Esports and E-Gaming Industry

April 24, 2019

Steve and Nick discuss the state of the law on net neutrality, and the cases for and against it. They also explore its rarely discussed impact on esports and the video game industry with professional streamer Kevin Murray (aka kmagic101), who offers valuable insight and a unique perspective on this hot-button topic.

S1:E5 - Bugging Out: The Legal Effects of Bugs and Glitches in Games

April 10, 2019

Steve and Nick explore the legal consequences of bugs in video games and exploits in esports with litigator and former prosecutor Jack Clabby.

Caps Off to You: DOL Proposes Raising Salary Cap

April 1, 2019

The U.S. DOL has proposed raising the salary cap for exempt white-collar workers. Here are some tips for employers in responding to the proposed changes

S1:E4 - Raiding Your Vault: Cybersecurity in Gaming

March 26, 2019

Steve and Nick discuss cybersecurity incidents impacting the video game industry, from brute-force attacks to swatting. They also interview professional streamer Ben Bowman (AKA Professor Broman), and review potential legal recourse for those who have suffered a gaming-related cyber incident.

LAN Party Lawyers Live at Ultimate Gamer Miami

March 15, 2019

In this special episode recorded live on the floor of the inaugural UG competition in Miami, Steve and Nick interview UG CEO Steve Suarez and Esports host/commentator Arda Ocal. They discuss the vision behind UG and the rise and future of the Esports industry from an insider's perspective.

S1:E3 - Even the Games Have Eyes: Data Privacy and Gaming

March 13, 2019

Steve and Nick take a deep dive into the emerging legal issues surrounding data privacy in gaming. They discuss the history of data collection in games and how that data has been used, and explore some of the regulatory restraints and challenges facing industry players. Then, in the 1v1 Showdown they debate various approaches to regulating these sensitive issues.

S1:E2 - One Step Closer to Skynet: Artificial Intelligence and Gaming

February 27, 2019

Steve and Nick examine how increasingly complex AI and neural networks have been developed using games as the testing grounds. They also interview Pedro Pavón, a thought leader in AI, about the legal and policy implications AI has for the future.

Three Takeaways from the DOL's New Labor Condition Application Form

November 19, 2018

SEC: Ether and Bitcoin Are Not Securities

October 1, 2018

Cryptocurrency investors were concerned following the SEC’s July 2017 investigative report on digital token sales by a virtual organization known as “The DAO.”

Is Cryptocurrency Money? Depends on Your State

August 29, 2018

Is cryptocurrency money? In America, the question is largely decided by the regulators charged with overseeing their state's money transmitter rules.

23 Attorneys General Challenge FCC Ruling on Net Neutrality

August 26, 2018

On June 11, the FCC’s Restoring Internet Freedom Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order, 33 FCC Rcd. 311 (2018) (the “Order”) took effect.

Supreme Court Rules Government Must Obtain Search Warrant for Mobile Phone Location Data

June 22, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot generally obtain mobile phone location data absent a warrant. This article discusses the decision, which ends years of uncertainty.

The Shared Economy

May 1, 2018

Before discussing how and whether the shared economy should be regulated, it is important to define the term. Simply, the shared economy is an economic model in which consumers grant each other access to their underutilized assets.

Telecom Carriers to Block Spoofed Calls From Reaching Consumers

August 29, 2017

The FCC continues its focus on addressing the significant consumer problem of unwanted calls.

Your Apps May Be Selling You Out

July 12, 2017

While most people are vaguely aware, even if they are in denial, that their browsers give advertisers access to their search histories, they are probably unaware that information is being sold or given to third parties via the apps they use on their personal phones or mobile devices.

New York DFS Requests Information on Use of External Consumer Data and Information Sources in Life Insurance Underwriting

July 5, 2017

The New York DFS initiated an investigation into the use of external consumer data or information sources in connection with underwriting by issuing a Section 308 information request to all New York authorized life issuers.

FINRA Issues New Guidance on Social Media and Digital Communications

June 23, 2017

In April, FINRA issued Regulatory Notice 17-18, which reiterates previous rules and provides additional guidance regarding the application of several key rules governing communications with the public to digital communications

SEC Guidance Seeks Enhanced Disclosures by Robo-Advisers

June 23, 2017

In February, the SEC staff issued a guidance update focusing on "robo-advisers," i.e., registered investment advisers (RIAs) who provide online, automated investment advice, through the use of an algorithmic program.