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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.

October 30, 2019 - Blockchain, Mergers + Acquisitions
Understanding Blockchain - Blockchain and Mergers + Acquisitions
In this episode of “Understanding Blockchain,” Morrison & Foerster’s Dario de Martino discusses how the blockchain industry is becoming ripe for a wave of mergers, acquisitions, joint-ventures and other strategic transactions. This ongoing series is dedicated to providing an overall understanding of blockchain technology
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October 29, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, Financings
Financial Institutions and the CCPA: What Remains After the Law's Exceptions
By: Kristen J. Mathews
Financial services companies subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) are treated somewhat differently under the CCPA. However, the CCPA does apply to some personal information that financial institutions handle. Kristen Mathews and Adam Fleisher, attorneys in Morrison & Foerster’s Privacy + Data Security Group,
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October 24, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
In Case You Missed It: California Governor Signs Additional Privacy Bills Into Law
By: Mary Race
With all eyes on amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) as the state’s 2019 legislative session drew to a close, the enactment of two additional privacy bills on October 11, 2019 — the same day Governor Gavin Newsom signed five
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October 23, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
Cookies: A Coming-of-Age Story
By: Mercedes Samavi and Alja Poler De Zwart
One of the most recent chapters in the ongoing cookies saga has come in the form of a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Planet49 case. The outcome of the case – while pivotal – does not
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October 18, 2019 - Blockchain
IRS Issues New Guidance and Proposed Form 1040 Question Regarding Virtual Currency
By: Anthony J. Carbone
Last week the IRS issued a revenue ruling, FAQs, and a revision to draft Schedule 1 to Form 1040 regarding various aspects of virtual currency transactions. The guidance is in line with the Treasury 2019-2020 Priority Guidance Plan that also came out last week
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October 16, 2019 - Regulatory
Foreign Investment 2020: CFIUS Spotlight on “TID” U.S. Businesses
By: Charles L. Capito and Joseph A. Benkert
FIRRMA directed the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”), as the chair of CFIUS, to issue regulations that, among other things, address national security concerns arising from foreign investment in U.S. businesses with critical technologies, critical infrastructure, and personal data (referred to in the proposed regulations as “TID
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October 15, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
California AG Issues Long-Awaited CCPA Implementation Regulations
By: Mary Race
With just over two months until the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”) becomes operative, California Attorney General (“AG”) Xavier Becerra has issued draft regulations to guide covered businesses’ implementation of the groundbreaking privacy law. The proposed regulations address several CCPA provisions that
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October 14, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
CLOUD Act Compliance: Key Takeaways for U.S. Companies from the U.S.-UK Executive Agreement
By: Robert S. Litt
A groundbreaking agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom will give rise to a streamlined process for UK law enforcement to request data from U.S. companies, using UK legal process. DOJ views it as an important advance in cooperation between two longstanding allies
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October 11, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, Litigation
Here We Go Again: New CCPA Ballot Initiative, Fall 2020
By: Purvi G. Patel
Businesses have been tirelessly preparing for the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), which becomes operative on January 1, 2020. But Californians for Consumer Privacy, the nonprofit behind the 2018 ballot initiative that was withdrawn with the passage of the CCPA, has been
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October 10, 2019 - Artificial Intelligence, Asia
Commerce Adds 28 Chinese Organizations to the Entity List for Associations with Human Rights Violations and Abuses
By: Charles L. Capito and Joseph A. Benkert
The U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) has added 28 Chinese organizations to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List , a move that effectively cuts off these entities from directly or indirectly acquiring hardware, software, and technology subject to the Export Administration
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