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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.

May 17, 2019 - Hardware, Asia, Software, Telecommunications
Chinese Telecom Companies Under Fire: Commerce Moves to Cut Off Huawei From U.S. Technology, With More Restrictions Coming
By: Nicholas J. Spiliotes, Joseph A. Benkert and Charles L. Capito
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has added Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huawei) and its affiliates to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) “Entity List,” a move that effectively cuts off Huawei from directly or indirectly acquiring U.S.-origin hardware, software, and technology. These
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May 16, 2019 - Blockchain, Fintech
Understanding Blockchain - What is the Difference Between Public, Permissioned and Private Blockchains?
In this episode of “Understanding Blockchain,” Morrison & Foerster’s Susan Gault-Brown and Dario de Martino discuss the differences between each blockchain structure. Susan and Dario cover public, private, and permissioned blockchains and how the objectives of a given project might determine which structure is
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May 08, 2019 - Financings, Fintech
Could Strong Consumer Authentication Weaken Consumer Demand?
By: Trevor R. Salter
From 14 September 2019, certain electronic and remote payments must be subjected to two-factor, or “strong customer authentication”, under regulatory standards covering the European Economic Area relating to the second EU Payment Services Directive, which took effect in January 2018. Retailers are uncertain whether
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May 07, 2019 - Blockchain, Fintech
Understanding Blockchain - What is Blockchain?
In the first episode of “Understanding Blockchain,” Morrison & Foerster’s Susan Gault-Brown and Dario de Martino define blockchain for those without a technical background. They break down how it works, what it’s used for, and technologies under the blockchain umbrella, such as cryptography, distributed
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May 02, 2019 - Blockchain
Blockchain Technology Embraced by Maryland Legislature
Morrison & Foerster partner Tracy A. Bacigalupo and the Blockchain + Smart Contracts Group are delighted to have played a role in the genesis and implementation of Maryland Senate Bill 136, which amends the Maryland General Corporation Law to permit certain corporate records (including
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April 30, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
John Carlin Discusses the Latest Threats of Global Cyber Attacks on CBS's 60 Minutes
Morrison & Foerster partner John Carlin, the former top national security lawyer for the Department of Justice, was recently featured on CBS's 60 Minutes. John spoke to 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl for a report drawn from a chapter of his book Dawn of the Code War on “The
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April 26, 2019 - Financings, Fintech
In a First, FinCEN Assesses Civil Money Penalty Against Peer-to-Peer Virtual Currency Exchanger
By: Marc-Alain Galeazzi
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued a press release announcing a civil money penalty for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act against Eric Powers, an individual who acted as a peer-to-peer virtual currency exchanger. The enforcement action is the first-ever penalty assessed by FinCEN
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April 23, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, European Union
GDPR: What Happened To One-Stop-Shop Enforcement?
By: Lokke Moerel
Read Lokke Moerel’s article on the NYU Blog Compliance & Enforcement on the impact of the decision of the French data protection against Google refusing to apply the GDPR’s “one-stop-shop” enforcement mechanism. Find out more here.
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April 12, 2019 - Blockchain, Financings, Fintech
SEC Issues Historic No-Action Letter and Releases Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets
By: Alfredo B. D. Silva and Dylan Kelsey Naughton
On April 3, 2019, the Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) published two pieces of guidance on when a blockchain-enabled digital asset will, or will not, be considered a security. The first piece of guidance
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April 11, 2019 - Blockchain, Financings, Fintech
FSA Proposes Bill to Amend Japanese Laws Regulating Cryptocurrency-Related Businesses
By: Seth M. Graham
The Japanese Financial Services Agency (“FSA”), Japan’s primary financial regulator, announced on March 15, 2019, that it was submitting a bill to the Diet to amend both the Payment Services Act (the “PSA”) and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (the “FIEA”) relating to how the
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Welcome to the MoFo Tech Blog

Chinese Telecom Companies Under Fire: Commerce Moves to Cut Off Huawei From U.S. Technology, With More Restrictions Coming

By: Nicholas J. Spiliotes, Joseph A. Benkert and Charles L. Capito

Understanding Blockchain - What is the Difference Between Public, Permissioned and Private Blockchains?

Could Strong Consumer Authentication Weaken Consumer Demand?

By: Trevor R. Salter

Understanding Blockchain - What is Blockchain?

Blockchain Technology Embraced by Maryland Legislature

John Carlin Discusses the Latest Threats of Global Cyber Attacks on CBS's 60 Minutes

In a First, FinCEN Assesses Civil Money Penalty Against Peer-to-Peer Virtual Currency Exchanger

By: Marc-Alain Galeazzi

GDPR: What Happened To One-Stop-Shop Enforcement?

By: Lokke Moerel

SEC Issues Historic No-Action Letter and Releases Framework for “Investment Contract” Analysis of Digital Assets

By: Alfredo B. D. Silva and Dylan Kelsey Naughton

FSA Proposes Bill to Amend Japanese Laws Regulating Cryptocurrency-Related Businesses

By: Seth M. Graham