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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 10, 2018 - Artificial Intelligence
U.S. DOT Revamps Federal Guidance on Automated Vehicle Development and Rollout
By: Erin M. Bosman
Updating and building on guidance issued one year ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation published a new federal guidance document entitled Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0 (“AV 3.0”). AV 3.0, released on October 4, 2018, incorporates extensive stakeholder feedback to
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October 09, 2018 - Financings
Save the Date for a MoFo Webinar: Updates to the Y Combinator SAFE Forms
By: John M. Rafferty
Updates to the Y Combinator SAFE forms Join Morrison & Foerster partner John Rafferty and associate Kate Tyler for a free webinar to discuss the recent changes to the Y Combinator forms of Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) and how those changes impact
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October 02, 2018 - Privacy + Data Security, Internet of Things
New California IoT Law Requires Security for Connected Devices
When Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1906 and Senate Bill 327 into law on Friday, California took major strides toward regulating the Internet of Things, the network of internet‑connected devices that includes everything from televisions and cars, to refrigerators, fitness trackers, and baby
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October 01, 2018 - Tech Talks
What Is The Digital Single Market?
By: Alistair Maughan
In an effort to harmonize online consumer protection laws and regulations across the European Union by the end of 2019, the Digital Single Market project has started fairly slowly. Which of the Commission’s goals has it managed to convert into actual legislation, when is
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September 20, 2018 - Blockchain, Fintech
Structuring Secondary Token Sales: How to Monetize Digital Tokens Under U.S. Securities Laws
By: Alfredo B. D. Silva
There is now wide legal consensus that organizations that seek to sell tokens for capital-raising purposes in the United States should register their tokens with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or rely on available registration exemptions. However, many token investors and other recipients
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August 17, 2018 - Artificial Intelligence, European Union
Can the EU become a leader in AI Technology?
By: Alistair Maughan
The European Commission has stated that it wants to establish the EU as a leader in the AI industry in order to, among other things, discontinue non-EU companies’ dominance of the EU tech market. Nevertheless, the Commission’s goals for increasing the use of AI
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August 16, 2018 - European Union, Fintech, Telecommunications
UK PRA's 'Dear CEO' Letter on Exposure to Crypto-Assets
On 28 June 2018, the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a letter to the CEOs of banks, insurance companies and designated investment firms to communicate the PRA’s expectations regarding firms’ exposure to crypto-assets. In particular, the letter flagged the risks associated with
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August 15, 2018 - Privacy + Data Security, Regulatory
Privacy Across the Atlantic: Comparing the EU GDPR and California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 - A Morrison & Foerster Data Protection Webinar
By: Julie O'Neill
Just over a month after the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect, California passed its own sweeping privacy legislation, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018. The Act stands to affect countless global companies doing business in California, many of which recently
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August 10, 2018 - European Union, Fintech, Telecommunications
Announcing the Global Financial Innovation Network
On 7 August, 2018, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that it has, in collaboration with 11 other financial regulators and related organisations, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, created the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) to
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August 07, 2018 - Regulatory, Telecommunications
If Your Company Offers Streaming Services, You Should Be Aware that States and Localities Are Taking Different Approaches to Taxing Such Services
By: Rebecca M. Balinskas
Many states and localities are concerned that the proliferation of streaming services is shrinking tax revenues previously received from sales of traditional forms of entertainment. Those concerns are not unfounded. The rapid development of streaming services has drastically changed how people watch “television.” It
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