Social media sites are transforming not only the daily lives of consumers, but also how companies interact with consumers. Here at Morrison Foerster, across all of our practice groups, we are seeing complex, cutting-edge legal issues arising out of social media. As with the Internet boom during the mid-to-late 1990s, social media is generating new legal questions at a far faster pace than the law’s ability to provide answers to such questions. In an effort to stay on top of these emerging issues, and to keep our clients and friends informed of new developments, Morrison Foerster publishes this blog devoted to the law and business of social media.<h2>ABOUT MORRISON FOERSTER</h2>Morrison Foerster is a leading global law firm that transforms complexity into advantage for its clients. Our clients include some of the largest financial institutions, banks, consulting and accounting firms, and Fortune 100, technology, and life sciences companies. Highlighting the firm’s commitment to client service, leadership in market-changing deals and impact litigation, and values-based culture, Morrison Foerster has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top 10 firms on The American Lawyer’s A-List. Year after year, the firm receives significant recognition from Chambers and The Legal 500 across their various guides, including Global, USA, Asia‑Pacific, Europe, UK, Latin America, and FinTech Legal. Our lawyers passionately care about delivering legal excellence while living our values. Morrison Foerster has a long-standing commitment to creating a culture that respects and celebrates differences, while providing an inclusive environment. The firm has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus since 2018 as a result of successfully reaching at least 30 percent women, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles and committees. The firm also has a long history of commitment to the community and society through providing pro bono legal services, including litigating for civil rights and civil liberties, improving public education and fostering the wellbeing of children, advocating for veterans, promoting international human rights, enforcing the right to asylum, and safeguarding the environment.

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Aaron is the chair of the firm’s Technology Transactions Group and co-chair of the Interactive + Digital Media Group. He advises clients on a wide range of complex transactions involving intellectual property and technology, including structuring and negotiating strategic licensing, development, collaboration, procurement, and distribution deals.Aaron’s practice focuses on advising both established and emerging companies in a variety of data- and technology-intensive sectors, including software, SaaS, cloud-based technology, digital media (social media, AR/VR, gaming, streaming media, AdTech), AI, healthcare, consumer electronics, e-commerce, other online business models, and mobile applications. He also maintains an active practice counseling companies on branding and marketing, trademark licensing, and content-related transactions, as well as the intellectual property aspects of mergers, acquisitions, asset spin-offs, and private equity investments.He has represented clients such as Autodesk, Meta, OpenAI, Splunk, Konami, Kaiser Permanente, SoftBank, Visa, and Yahoo, among others.Aaron has been recognized by numerous publications for his work on market-defining technology transactions. He is currently ranked by Chambers USA for “Technology Transactions.”Aaron also serves as co-editor of Socially Aware, the firm’s award-winning newsletter and blog devoted to the law and business of social media, and regularly publishes on various IP and technology-related topics. Aaron is also a sought-after speaker on new and emerging areas of law, and is a frequent presenter and panelist at conferences and legal services programs. In addition to his active practice, Aaron regularly provides pro bono assistance to various nonprofit and charitable organizations such as Common Sense Media and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. He is a member of the board of directors of California Lawyers for the Arts.While in law school at the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Aaron served as executive editor of the California Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Following law school, Aaron served as law clerk to the Honorable William H. Orrick and the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins, both United States District Judges for the Northern District of California.

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Partner

Aaron is the chair of our Technology Transactions Group. He advises clients on a wide range of complex transactions involving intellectual property and technology, including structuring and negotiating strategic licensing, development, collaboration, procurement, and distribution deals. Aaron’s practice focuses on advising both established and emerging companies in a variety of data– and technology–intensive sectors, including software, SaaS, cloud computing, AR/VR, AI, gaming, healthcare, consumer electronics, social media, e–commerce, other online business models, and mobile applications. He also maintains an active practice counseling companies on the intellectual property aspects of mergers, acquisitions, asset spin–offs, and private equity investments.

Aaron P. Rubin

Lawrence Gallick is of counsel in the firm’s Austin office and a member of the Technology Transactions Group.Lawrence focuses his practice on technology transactions and licensing matters. His diverse experience includes advising on SaaS agreements, cross-licensing agreements, research and collaboration agreements, development agreements, and distribution agreements. He counsels a broad range of companies across the software, hardware, life sciences, biotech and FinTech spaces, as well as other entities including universities.He advises clients in connection with general corporate matters including contract negotiations, and leasing and technology placement agreements.Lawrence also serves as co-editor of <a href="https://www.sociallyawareblog.com/" target="_blank">Socially Aware</a>, the firm’s award-winning newsletter and blog devoted to the law and business of social media, and regularly publishes on various IP and technology-related topics.Prior to joining the firm, Lawrence was counsel at another major law firm. Before earning his law degree, Lawrence was a web consultant, project manager, and web developer in Portland, Oregon, where he managed and consulted on projects using industry methodologies and performed custom development and integration of content management systems.Lawrence was named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2015 and 2018–2022, and is licensed in both California and New York. Lawrence earned his J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where he was the electronic systems editor for the Buffalo Law Review and awarded the ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law.

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Of Counsel

Lawrence Gallick

Anthony Ramirez is a partner in the Technology Transactions Group in the New York office of Morrison Foerster.Anthony advises clients on general commercial and transactional matters. He regularly advises companies on the IP aspects of their M&A transactions. His clients include technology, digital media and content for television and music, financial services, and communications companies with diverse intellectual property assets and issues.His practice focuses on the legal aspects of developing, licensing, and commercializing technology and intellectual property, as well as negotiating general commercial contracts, including outsourcing transactions, as well as content and data licenses. He regularly assists clients with legal issues relating to licensing and commercialization of digital media and content, digital content that is distributed over the Internet or streamed, mobile applications and social media, as well as the licensing of recorded music for distribution via digital platforms. Anthony is also experienced with issues relating to open-source software, software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud-based technology, and protection of proprietary information.Anthony has extensive experience working on matters involving disruptive technologies, such as blockchain. He has helped fintech clients with general intellectual property issues in connection with terms of service for online financial products and services.Anthony is an integral part of the outside pro bono legal team for nonprofit organizations based in New York, including advising clients on legal issues regarding entertainment, social media, privacy rights, and the negotiation of outsourcing and service agreements. Anthony received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2009. He received his B.S. from Cornell University in 2004.

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Anthony Ramirez is a partner in the Technology Transactions Group in the New York office of Morrison Foerster. He advises clients on general commercial and transactional matters. His clients include technology, media, and communications companies with considerable intellectual property assets. His practice focuses on the legal aspects of licensing and commercializing technology and intellectual property, as well as negotiating general commercial contracts. He also regularly assists clients with legal issues relating to mobile applications and social media.

Anthony M. Ramirez

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Socially Aware is devoted to the law and business of social media, proactively addressing emerging issues and keeping our clients informed of new developments. We cover fields such as artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, Section 230, intellectual property, and much more.

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Socially Aware is devoted to the law and business of social media, proactively addressing emerging issues and keeping our clients informed of new developments. We cover fields such as artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, Section 230, intellectual property, and much more.

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Lawrence W. Gallick

Social Links: If the Suit Fits

Social Links: Age Verification, X Appeal, and the Great White North

Social Links: Fake Reviews, Real Rulings, and an Epic Fail

Lawrence W. Gallick on Toth v. Everly Well, Inc.

Social Links: Going Back to Cali

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, children are spending more of their lives in the digital realm, both for education and entertainment purposes—but that doesn’t mean the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cutting online operators slack for not complying with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Last week, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/06/developer-apps-popular-children-agrees-settle-ftc-allegations-it?utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the FTC levied a $4 million penalty against HyperBeard, Inc.</a>, a popular mobile app developer, to settle allegations that HyperBeard integrated third-party ad networks into its child-directed apps in violation of COPPA.(Due to HyperBeard’s inability to pay the full amount, the $4 million penalty will be suspended upon payment of $150,000 by HyperBeard).The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/192_3109_hyperbeard_-_complaint.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">complaint</a> is notable in that the FTC did not allege that HyperBeard itself collected any personal information from children—rather, the alleged violations centered around the company enabling third parties to collect personal information from children through its service. The fine serves as a warning to online operators that they are strictly responsible for their third-party integrations, even if they themselves do not collect personal information from children. Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized, “If your app or website is directed to kids, you’ve got to make sure parents are in the loop before you collect children’s personal information. This includes allowing someone else, such as an ad network, to collect persistent identifiers, like advertising IDs or cookies, in order to serve behavioral advertising.”<h4>Background</h4>COPPA generally requires operators of child-directed online services to provide notice and obtain parental consent before collecting—or permitting third parties to collect—personal information from children under 13. In 2013, the FTC amended its rule implementing COPPA to, among other things, expand the definition of “personal information” to include persistent identifiers that collect information about a child’s online activity when that information is used to serve targeted ads to the child. This presents an issue for app developers, such as HyperBeard, looking to monetize their apps through the use of in-app advertising.<h4>HyperBeard’s Apps Were Child-Directed</h4><h5>Kid-Friendly Characters and App Store Descriptions</h5>HyperBeard has publicly offered a number of mobile apps, including BunnyBuns, Clawbert, KleptoCats, and MonkeyNauts (the “Apps”). The Apps were free to download and play but relied on in-app advertising and in-app purchases to generate revenue. The complaint calls out the prominent usage of brightly colored, animated characters in the Apps as evidence that the Apps were child-directed. The complaint further noted that the descriptions for the Apps included adjectives such as “SUPER cute,” “adorable,” and “silly,” which are kid-friendly, and that the Apps are “very simple and easy to play.”<h5>Marketing Practices and Partners</h5>The FTC also pointed to HyperBeard’s marketing as evidence that the Apps were child-directed. For example, the complaint alleges that HyperBeard’s website descriptions for several of its Apps recommended the games to children as well as adults. In addition, HyperBeard promoted its Apps on a kids entertainment website, YayOMG! The YayOMG! reviews for certain Apps focused on how “adorable,” “fun,” and “cute” the games were and recommended the games to the website’s readers. HyperBeard amplified these reviews through the use of “retweets” and “likes” on its Twitter page.<h5>Spin-Off Kids’ Products and Merchandising</h5>Moreover, HyperBeard published books related to two of its Apps—KleptoCats and KleptoDogs. The FTC noted that the books were written by a children’s author and were categorized under “Children’s Books” on an online bookseller’s website, with a suggested age range of 7-10 years and grade level of 2-5. HyperBeard also sold KleptoCats stuffed animals and licensed its characters to other companies to create child-directed products, including a K’Nex block construction set, calendars, posters, stickers, and bookmarks.<h4>Integration of Third-Party Ad Networks</h4>In order to monetize the Apps, HyperBeard integrated numerous third-party ad networks in its Apps. The ad networks used persistent identifiers to collect information about children’s activity over time and across online services, and it targeted ads to those children based on their information. Because HyperBeard allegedly did not provide notice to or obtain verifiable parental consent from parents in connection with the ad networks’ activity, the ad networks’ collection of personal information violated COPPA.Furthermore, the FTC alleged that HyperBeard did not exercise adequate oversight and controls over the ad networks. For example, the FTC alleged that HyperBeard did not inform the ad networks that the Apps were directed to children until after being contacted by FTC staff about the matter. In addition, HyperBeard allegedly failed to properly instruct or contractually require the ad networks to refrain from behavioral advertising in light of the child-directed nature of the Apps. The settlement reinforces the fact that, under COPPA, an online operator is strictly liable for the actions of any third party that collects personal information through the operator’s service.

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Clients seek out Julie because of her practical advice on cutting-edge issues at the intersection of privacy and consumer protection laws. She provides clients with practical solutions to compliance c

Julie O'Neill

Clients seek out Julie because of her practical advice on cutting-edge issues at the intersection of privacy and consumer protection laws. She provides clients with practical solutions to compliance challenges around a wide variety of both online and offline privacy issues, including tracking, interest-based advertising, geo-targeting and other mobile tracking, personalization, and cross-device tracking. Recognized in The Legal 500 US 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020 and Chambers USA 2021 for her exceptional legal work, her clients praise her saying, “She is really good at giving practical, targeted advice and taking stock of what the risk profile of the client is, so that the advice is holistic.” (Chambers USA 2021).

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It’s 10 p.m. Do You Know What Your Third-Party Integrations Are Doing?

It’s 10 p.m. Do You Know What Your Third-Party Integrations Are Doing?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, children are spending more of their lives in the digital realm, both for education and entertainment purposes—but that doe

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the process of implementing Brexit continues. One of the key Brexit issues for the tech sector is the extent to which the UK will either align or diverge its digital regulations with the EU.Both the UK and EU have set out their intentions for their post-Brexit relationship in matters relating to technology, digital, and telecoms issues. There are signs that both the UK and EU will seek early alignment in key tech/digital compliance areas: is this a sign of things to come?The UK government recently published its <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-approach-to-the-future-relationship-with-the-eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">draft working text</a> for a comprehensive free trade agreement between the UK and the EU (the “draft text”). As we explain below, the draft text covers (1) digital trade, recognising the importance of adopting frameworks that promote consumer confidence in digital services, (2) telecoms, and (3) audiovisual services. Intriguingly, the draft text aims to maintain regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU, insofar as possible, which could be a sign of the extent to which the UK plans to align with the EU (rather than forge its own path), both in these three areas and elsewhere, once the Brexit transition period is over.Digital Trade Net neutrality is a key feature in the draft text. In particular, the UK draft text sets out that both the UK and EU should “maintain or adopt appropriate measures to ensure that end-users in their territory are able to: <ul><li>access, distribute, and use services and applications of their choice available on the Internet, subject to reasonable, clear, transparent and non-discriminatory network management; </li><li>connect devices of their choice to the Internet, provided that such devices do not harm the network; and </li><li>have access to information on the network management practices of their Internet access service supplier”.</li></ul>The UK has already implemented the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32015R2120" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Open Internet Access Regulations</a> and plans to retain it as part of its domestic legislation post-Brexit. These regulations safeguard equal and non-discriminatory treatment of traffic in the provision of internet access services and protection of consumers’ rights. Critically, the regulations restrict the paid prioritisation of internet traffic and discrimination or interference by internet providers (i.e., blocking or slowing down internet).It is rare to see free trade agreements cover net neutrality as an area for discussion, but it appears in both the draft text and the European Commission’s draft agreement. Although the UK and EU negotiations are still ongoing, these provisions are an auspicious signal that the UK and EU plan to stay aligned on certain digital regulatory matters.TelecomsAs with digital services, the EU and UK appear keen to preserve the status quo for telecom services. The provisions of the draft text (which line up with the Commission’s draft agreement) seek to:<ul><li>ensure independence and powers of UK and EU telecom regulators;</li><li>minimise unnecessary formalities;</li><li>enable bilateral access to each other’s public telecoms networks and service and essential facilities; and</li><li>prevent anti-competitive practices.</li></ul>The prospective management of international mobile telecoms roaming between the EU and UK is a grey area, however. For now, EU regulations limit wholesale fees for roaming and prevent higher charges being passed to consumers. At the end of the transition period, EU mobile operators may be able to charge UK operators (and therefore UK consumers) a higher rate for roaming services. The draft text proposes to solve this by requiring that, within three years of entry into a trade agreement, the UK and EU should come back to the table to assess whether there is a need to regulate mobile roaming between the UK and EU.Audiovisual ServicesThis is one topic where the EU and UK could cease to be in step with each other. Currently, under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, a broadcaster in the EU has to obtain a licence and comply with regulatory standards in only one EU member state; this then allows that broadcaster to offer its services in the other EU member states without any additional requirements (this is known as the “country of origin principle”). At the end of the transition period, a broadcaster that wants to broadcast to the EU but is licensed in the UK will no longer benefit from the country of origin principle. The draft text does not seek to negotiate a provision to mirror the country of origin principle, which could leave broadcasters having to seek dual licences for both the EU and the UK.Jai Mudhar, London Trainee Solicitor, contributed to the drafting of this post.

Autodesk

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ITworx

lastminute.com

NYSE-listed health tech company

One of UK's largest public EV charging networks

Phoenix Group

Telenor

UK Border Agency

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Alistair Maughan co-leads Morrison & Foerster's European Technology & Commercial Practice.

Alistair Maughan

Alistair advises on the deployment of new technology platforms involving, for example, the internet of things, AI and machine-learning, and blockchain and distributed ledger technology.

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Mercedes Samavi is an associate based in the London office of Morrison & Foerster and a member of both the Technology Transactions Group and the Global Privacy Group.
Mercedes advises domestic and int

Mercedes Samavi

Digital Compliance in Europe: Regulatory Alignment Post-Brexit