Technology Law Blog, IT Law & Articles | Foster Swift

Make Sure Your Holiday Gifts Don’t Get You Fined

Taylor A. Gast — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 09:00:01 -0500

On December 12, 2017 President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act. In part, the Act requires registration of all drones weighing more than .55 and up to 55 pounds, if you plan on flying them outside.

Are Ransomware Payments Tax Deductible?

Taylor A. Gast — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:00:02 -0500

Earlier this year it was revealed that hackers had seized 1.5 terabytes of data from HBO, and over the course of the summer the hackers released the stolen property, including script summaries for "Game of Thrones," as well as scripts and entire seasons of other HBO shows.

Forming a start-up venture with others? Consider a Founders' Agreement.

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 09:00:03 -0400

Co-founders of a start-up venture often find themselves excited and enthusiastic about getting their business idea off the ground. Amidst the whirlwind of developing a product or service and forming a team, it can be easy for the founders of the start-up to put legal work on the backburner. That is often a costly mistake. This blog post is the first in a series of articles on legal issues facing early stage ventures. In this installment, we will discuss founders' agreements.

Equifax or EquiFaux Pas: Updates on the Equifax Breach

Emily Wisniewski — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 09:00:04 -0400

In September 2017, credit reporting agency Equifax announced that personal information for over 140 million U.S. consumers was potentially compromised. Equifax’s forensic investigations have put the number closer to 145.5 million. The compromised data includes names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver’s license numbers and even credit card numbers. Within a matter of weeks after the breach, Equifax’s CEO, Richard Smith, announced he was stepping down. It soon became clear that Equifax’s troubles were just beginning.

#Sponsored: What Social Media Influencers Need to Know to Remain Compliant with the FTC

Taylor A. Gast — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 09:00:05 -0400

Influencer marketing on social media is a very big business. Here’s how it works: brands team up with individuals with large and engaged followings on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram (i.e., “influencers”), and pay them to promote their products.

Two Stars?! What can my Business do in Response to Negative Reviews?

Taylor A. Gast, Amanda Carmichael (Summer Associate) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 09:00:06 -0400

Businesses are understandably concerned about negative reviews posted on popular websites such as Yelp, Facebook, and TripAdvisor.

Wire Transfer Attacks are Increasing: Here’s What Companies Can Do to Prevent Them

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 09:00:07 -0400

In our fast-paced, interconnected business world, the ability to quickly, easily and safely wire money is essential. Companies rely on wire transfers to complete transactions and keep supply chains moving. But with this convenience comes risks.

How Are Foreign Entrepreneurs Affected by the Delay of the International Entrepreneur Rule?

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 09:00:08 -0400

On July 11, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") temporarily delayed the effective date of a rule that would have allowed foreign entrepreneurs to temporarily come to the United States and work in the country when they have received significant financial backing from established investors.

HHS Office for Civil Rights Publishes Checklist for HIPAA Covered Entities Responding to Cybersecurity Incidents

Taylor A. Gast — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 09:00:09 -0400

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Office for Civil Rights ("OCR") recently published guidance for entities covered by HIPAA, entitled "My entity just experienced a cyber-attack! What do we do now?"

Online Sales, Export Opportunities and Due Diligence…Oh My (Part II)

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 09:00:10 -0400

Businesses receive online orders or inquiries from international entities through their websites constantly. In addition to business due diligence of vetting a potential customer and potential business deal, legal due diligence on the export control side is key.