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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 29, 2019 - European Union
Youth Protection in Germany: Online Age Checks and Daytime Blackouts Ahead?
By: Andreas Grünwald and Christoph Nüßing
Last week, German regulators decided to no longer accept the widely used “JusProg” software as a sufficient means for online service providers to comply with statutory youth protection requirements. The decision is effective immediately, although it will most likely be challenged in court. If
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May 23, 2019 - Regulatory, Hardware, Software, Telecommunications
Commerce Issues Narrow License for Certain Transactions with Huawei
By: John E. Smith, Joseph A. Benkert and Charles L. Capito
The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a 90-day temporary general license exempting a set of transactions from the Entity List designation of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Huawei”) and its affiliates worldwide, which was effective May 16, 2019. The
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May 21, 2019 - Asia, Financings, Fintech
Where Disruption Meets Regulation
By: Gordon A. Milner
A wide range of businesses in Southeast Asia from traditional retailers and financial institutions to start-ups are harnessing new technologies and entering into new commercial partnerships to offer financial products and services regionally. MoFo’s Jake Robson, Gordon Milner and Nicholas Davies discuss how companies
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May 20, 2019 - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics, European Union
Big News for Small Mobility: Germany Opens up to E-Scooters
By: Andreas Grünwald, Christoph Nüßing and Theresa Oehm
Germany is about to pass a new law that will officially allow e-scooters on public roads. The new law, adopted today, will give people more choices for transportation and allow for modern, green and clean mobility in cities. To date, e-scooters have been forbidden
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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: 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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