Welcome to Socially Aware

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.

May 14, 2014 - Securities Law, SEC
SEC Staff Guidance on the Use of Social Media in Securities Offerings, Tender Offers, Business Combinations and Proxy Contests
The staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently provided guidance on applying its rules regarding communications in connection with securities offerings, tender offers, business combinations and proxy contests when statements are made utilizing certain social
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May 13, 2014 - FTC, Privacy
Snap Judgment: FTC Alleges Snapchat Did Not Keep Its Privacy and Security Promises, But Suggests Broad New Duty in the Process
Snapchat’s recent settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) generally provides a comprehensive but not groundbreaking roadmap to the FTC’s privacy and data security expectations in the mobile environment under Section 5 of the FTC Act, with two very notable exceptions: It now appears
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May 06, 2014 - Event
Complimentary JOBS Act Seminar
In the two years since the adoption of the JOBS Act, fundamental changes have developed in the IPO market and perhaps even more significant changes have resulted in the private or exempt offering market. During our session, which will take place at the Michelangelo
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May 02, 2014 - Privacy, Litigation
If You Host Videos on Your Website, Read This Blog Post Regarding the Video Privacy Protection Act
By: Julie O'Neill
In a much anticipated decision in the class action In re Hulu Privacy Litigation , U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has shed new light on the meaning of “personally identifiable information” (PII) under
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April 24, 2014 - Copyright, IP, Litigation, Supreme Court
Which Way is Aereo Pointing? The Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Public Performance Copyright Case
In a case that could have a broad impact on how companies deliver content to consumers, the Supreme Court heard oral argument on April 22 in American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. v. Aereo, Inc. (No. 13-461). At issue is whether Aereo’s service engages in public performances under
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April 17, 2014 - Privacy
Next Generation State Privacy Law: Regulating the Commercial Use of Drones
By: Nathan D. Taylor
When most Americans think of drones, they think of unmanned, often weaponized aircraft that are used by governments in areas of conflict for intelligence or combat purposes. However, the proverbial sky is the limit on the potential commercial use of drones. For example, in
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April 10, 2014 - FTC, Privacy, Litigation
Jerked Around? Did the FTC’s “Jerk.com” Complaint Just Turn API Terms Into Federal Law?
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) announcement that it had filed a complaint against Jerk, LLC and its websites like “jerk.com” (“Jerk”) looks at first glance like a run-of-the-mill FTC Section 5 enforcement action involving allegedly deceptive practices online. But hidden in the facts of
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April 07, 2014 - Investment Management Law
New Regulatory Guidance on Use of Social Media by Investment Advisers
Acknowledging the growing demand by consumers for information through social media, the Division of Investment Management set some ground rules on how investment advisers can use social media and publish advertisements featuring public commentary about them from social media sites. Under the new rules,
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April 03, 2014 - Internet of Things, FTC, Privacy, Ethics, IP
The Internet of Things Part 2: The Old Problem Squared
By: Alistair Maughan
Cisco estimates that 25 billion devices will be connected in the Internet of Things (IoT) by 2015, and 50 billion by 2020. Analyst firm IDC makes an even bolder prediction: 212 billion connected devices by 2020. This massive increase in connectedness will drive a
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April 02, 2014 - Internet of Things, FTC, Privacy
The Internet of Things Part 1: Brave New World
By: Alistair Maughan
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of everyday physical objects that surround us and are increasingly being embedded with technology to enable those objects to collect and transmit data about their use and surroundings. TVs connected to the Internet and refrigerators connected
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Welcome to Socially Aware

SEC Staff Guidance on the Use of Social Media in Securities Offerings, Tender Offers, Business Combinations and Proxy Contests

Snap Judgment: FTC Alleges Snapchat Did Not Keep Its Privacy and Security Promises, But Suggests Broad New Duty in the Process

Complimentary JOBS Act Seminar

If You Host Videos on Your Website, Read This Blog Post Regarding the Video Privacy Protection Act

By: Julie O'Neill

Which Way is Aereo Pointing? The Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Public Performance Copyright Case

Next Generation State Privacy Law: Regulating the Commercial Use of Drones

By: Nathan D. Taylor

Jerked Around? Did the FTC’s “Jerk.com” Complaint Just Turn API Terms Into Federal Law?

New Regulatory Guidance on Use of Social Media by Investment Advisers

The Internet of Things Part 2: The Old Problem Squared

By: Alistair Maughan

The Internet of Things Part 1: Brave New World

By: Alistair Maughan