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Welcome to the MoFo Tech Blog

MoFo Tech brings together legal insights and in-depth analyses on trends and complex issues shaping the global technology industry, covering fields such as blockchain and distributed ledger, cloud and SaaS technologies, driverless cars, drones, FinTech, computer hardware and software, the IoT, semiconductors, and telecommunications.

March 18, 2020 - Privacy + Data Security
Cybersecurity Tips in the Age of Remote-Work Arrangements
By: Miriam H. Wugmeister
As recent reporting highlights, cybercriminals and nation-state actors are already seizing on this moment of panic and misinformation to use traditional hacking methods to steal data — from using interactive maps with Coronavirus infection statistics to plant malware on devices to phishing scams where
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March 17, 2020 - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics, Blockchain, Fintech
Compliance for a Digital World: BSA/AML
By: Marc-Alain Galeazzi and Vivian L. Hanson
The New ABC's: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and How Each Complements the Other BSA/AML compliance programs in the United States are often associated with high costs and inefficiencies. At the core of the problem is the lack of standardization across institutions and BSA/AML compliance processes
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March 16, 2020 - Privacy + Data Security
Amendment To New York Telemarketing Law Bans Some Sales Calls to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Affected Areas
By: Kristen J. Mathews
A late-2019 amendment to New York’s telemarketing law, AB 117, prohibits telemarketers from knowingly making certain kinds of prerecorded sales calls to consumers who are located in a county, city, town, or village that is under a state of emergency or disaster emergency. The
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March 12, 2020 - Announcements
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center
Morrison & Foerster has mobilized a team of legal advisors across our firm’s global practices and disciplines to offer you timely legal and business advice as the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis continues to unfold and adversely affect entire governments, economies, businesses, and countries.
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March 12, 2020 - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics, Blockchain, Fintech
The New ABC’s: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and How Each Complements the Other
By: Vivian L. Hanson
Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology are two novel innovations that offer the opportunity for us to move beyond our legacy systems and streamline enterprise management and compliance in ways previously unimaginable. Each technology augments the strengths and tempers the weaknesses of the other.
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March 03, 2020 - Privacy + Data Security
Fake News & Paid Reviews: FTC Seeks Comments on its Endorsement Guides
By: Julie O'Neill
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appears to be using its ongoing review of current rules and guides to revisit its approach to driving home the message that the relationship between a social media “influencer” and the brand he or she is endorsing must be disclosed. As
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February 19, 2020 - Mergers + Acquisitions
FTC Uses "Study Authority" to Review Prior Non-HSR Reportable Tech Transactions
By: Megan E. Gerking
On February 11, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it issued Special Orders to five large technology companies requiring them to submit information related to their acquisitions during the past decade that were not reportable under the HSR Act. According to FTC Chairman Joe Simons,
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February 18, 2020 - Regulatory, Litigation, Intellectual Property
New USPTO Rule Likely to Increase Spam
By: Muzamil Huq
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) just issued new rules that directly affect trademark owners. Going forward, trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to a proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board will need to provide their email address in USPTO filings.
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February 13, 2020 - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics, European Union
Can AI Be an Inventor? Not at the European Patent Office.
By: Alistair Maughan and Anna Yuan
The European Patent Office has denied two patent applications on the grounds that an AI system cannot be listed as the inventor. For the first time, the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a ruling on its approach to patent applications that designate artificial
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February 12, 2020 - Privacy + Data Security
California Attorney General Issues Modified CCPA Draft Regulations
By: Mary Race
On Friday, February 7, the California Attorney General’s office published a modified set of draft regulations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). These are not the Attorney General’s final CCPA regulations but rather are a modified set of draft regulations that are subject
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