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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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.In 2023, Lawrence seconded at Amazon Lab126, where he led the negotiation of high-profile licensing deals for a variety of Amazon device teams. The secondment was an immersive opportunity to gain additional insights and experience from the perspective of in-house counsel. 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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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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Lawrence W. Gallick

SCOTUS Age-Gates the Internet: Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton and the Future of Adult Content Regulation

Social Links: Clickbait, Court Dates, and the Beige Apocalypse

The Bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act Is Now Federal Law

Social Links: AI, Age-Gating, and the COPPA Cabana

Social Links: Statehouse v. Smartphone

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Experts anticipate that the incoming Biden administration will be tough on tech. What does that mean for the future of §230 of the Communications Decency Act? The antitrust suit against Google? <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/09/931039648/how-will-tech-policy-change-in-the-biden-white-house-heres-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This NPR piece</a> makes some predictions.Human rights activists are outraged over a <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/protests-erupt-in-france-over-bill-that-would-restrict-filming-and-publishing-images-of-police-officers-01606766693" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposed law in France</a> that would makes it illegal to publish images of police officers with intent to cause them harm. Supporters of the law, which was passed partly in response to demands from police unions, argue that it doesn’t ban people from filming police in action, but rather, just from using the images to cause them physical or psychological injury.<a href="https://www.brecorder.com/news/40048358" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Regulations in Pakistan</a> expand the power of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) by allowing the agency to require social media platforms with more than half a million users in the country to register with the PTA and establish a permanent office and database servers in Pakistan.We’ve discussed the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s <a href="https://www.sociallyawareblog.com/2020/03/03/fake-news-paid-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising</a> on Socially Aware. Here are some tips on how to comply with the <a href="https://www.natlawreview.com/article/ftc-lawyer-uk-endorsement-guide-compliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK’s guidelines for social media influencers</a>.Trying to use social media to convince people that COVID-19 vaccinations are the way to end the pandemic? Think again. <a href="https://www.axios.com/social-media-covid-vaccine-poll-b49a343c-cd5e-4eb0-81d9-1ad7c37ff899.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harris Poll endorsements</a> show that “more than half of Americans say they have little or no trust in social media when it comes to information on the COVID-19 vaccine.”

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.











Anthony Ramirez

Social Links: Internet law under Biden; new tech-laws around the world; the UK’s Endorsement Guides

Experts anticipate that the incoming Biden administration will be tough on tech. What does that mean for the future of §230 of the Communications Decency Act? T

Social Links: Internet law under Biden; new tech-laws around the world; the UK’s Endorsement Guides

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A defamation suit brought by one reality television star against another—and naming Discovery Communications as a defendant—could determine <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/discovery-argues-not-legally-responsible-tv-stars-social-media-posts-1018711" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">to what extent (if any) media companies may be held responsible for what their talent posts on social media</a>.In a move characterized as setting legal precedent, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/jul/08/fake-news-injunction-law-persons-unknown-social-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK lawyers served an injunction against “persons unknown”</a> via an email account linked to someone who was posting allegedly defamatory “fake news” stories on social media.<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-26/why-the-eu-will-slap-google-over-product-searches-quicktake-q-a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">European regulators fined Google $2.7 billion</a> for violating antitrust law by allegedly tailoring algorithms for product-related queries to promote its own comparison shopping service. If the search company doesn’t change how its search engine works in the EU in the next few months, it risks fines of up to 5% of its parent company Alphabet Inc.’s daily revenue.A newly formed trade group, called the Influencer Marketing Council, <a href="http://adage.com/article/digital/digital-celebrities-rely-trade-group-set-ad-disclosure-rules/309545/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">is representing social influencers</a> in discussions with regulators and Internet platforms, and is leading an effort to outline best practices for <a href="http://www.sociallyawareblog.com/2015/12/21/influencer-marketing-tips-for-a-successful-and-legal-advertising-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">complying with the FTC’s endorsement guidelines</a>.Pinterest’s commercial progress has reportedly been hampered by several factors, including the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/02/business/media/pinterest-advertising.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">format of its advertisements, which must mimic user posts</a>—something that requires brands to design content specifically for the platform.Members of law enforcement have expressed concerns regarding the safety risks posed by <a href="http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/fox-24/snap-maps-have-parents-and-law-enforcement-concerned/749589147" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a Snapchat update that lets users see the exact location</a> of their Snapchat “friends.” An article on <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/23/15864552/snapchat-snap-map-privacy-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Verge has some useful tips</a> on how to use the function, which is called Snap Map, and how to turn it off.Because the First Amendment limits the ability of the U.S. government to regulate search companies’ and social media platforms’ policies and guidelines, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-07-03/for-a-more-regulated-internet-thank-canada" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">companies like Google and Twitter might eventually be de facto regulated even within the United States by foreign nations</a> whose governments are entitled to regulate what happens on the Internet in order to protect their citizens according to their own laws.<a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/06/why-a-list-pop-stars-are-fleeing-from-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Several A-list musicians have stepped away from social media</a> at least partly because their incredible popularity has made them an attractive target for trolls.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/03/smarter-living/how-to-see-what-the-internet-knows-about-you.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here are tips</a> on how to limit online service providers from collecting information about you in using social media and surfing the web.

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 Rubin

Social Links: Can media companies be liable for their talents’ social media posts?; a trade group for social influencers; a potentially dangerous Snapchat update

A defamation suit brought by one reality television star against another—and naming Discovery Communications as a defendant—could determine to what extent (if a

Social Links: Can media companies be liable for their talents’ social media posts?; a trade group for social influencers; a potentially dangerous Snapchat update