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.

June 03, 2014 - News and Announcements
Join the Socially Aware Team
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Are you a JD who is tuned into and excited about the legal landscape of social media? Ready for the opportunity to write full time? Morrison & Foerster’s Technology Transactions group in New York is recruiting for a Business Development Writer to craft articles,
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May 27, 2014 - Privacy
California AG Offers Best Practices for Do Not Track Disclosures; Crucial Compliance Questions Left Unanswered
By: Julie O'Neill
California Attorney General Kamala Harris released a long-awaited report entitled Making Your Privacy Practices Public (Report) on May 21, 2014. The Report recommends “best practices” for compliance with the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA). It was originally intended to answer critical questions about
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May 22, 2014 - Copyright, IP, Litigation, Supreme Court
Supreme Court Finds Laches Does Not Bar Copyright Infringement Claim: Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
The doctrine of laches cannot be invoked as a bar to a plaintiff’s claim for damages brought within the Copyright Act’s three-year statute of limitations period, according to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. The Court, in a 6-3
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May 20, 2014 - Privacy, Litigation
French Consumer Association Takes on Internet Giants
Earlier this year, the French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir initiated proceedings before the Paris District Court against Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc., accusing these companies of using confusing and unlawful online privacy policies and terms of use agreements in the French versions
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May 15, 2014 - Privacy, Litigation
European Court of Justice Strengthens Right to Be Forgotten
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a quite surprising decision against Google which has significant implications for global companies. On May 13, 2014 the ECJ issued a ruling which did not follow the rationale or the conclusions of its Advocate General, but instead
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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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Welcome to Socially Aware

Join the Socially Aware Team

By: Aaron P. Rubin

California AG Offers Best Practices for Do Not Track Disclosures; Crucial Compliance Questions Left Unanswered

By: Julie O'Neill

Supreme Court Finds Laches Does Not Bar Copyright Infringement Claim: Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

French Consumer Association Takes on Internet Giants

European Court of Justice Strengthens Right to Be Forgotten

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