WHAT IS “TECHNOLOGY LAW”?

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, understanding and navigating its legal ramifications has never been more crucial. Technology law addresses the use, development, and regulation of technology and encompasses a vast array of legal disciplines including copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, privacy, licensing, contracts, defamation, First Amendment, employment, and more.

Unlike other legal disciplines that have hundreds of years of precedent and established principles for guidance, the field of technology law has little direct history. Trademark issues like “cybersquatting,” copyright infringement “takedown” procedures, the regulation of “spam,” and privacy practices such as “data breach notifications” are all concepts of recent vintage that began emerging in the 1990s as businesses quickly embraced the commercial potential of the internet. And newer technologies like artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and robotics will only continue to compel the creation of new laws and expand existing ones.

Massachusetts Leading the Way for Tech

Tech hubs like Silicon Valley and Boston have become the global epicenters of this ever-changing legal frontier, pushing boundaries and setting the pace for the rest of the world. However, Massachusetts is uniquely suited to lead the way in this brave new technological and legal world. It is a pioneer in merging the old with the new by creating historical bedrock institutions while fostering disruptive innovators. The Massachusetts Constitution, which was drafted in 1780 by John Adams, served as the model for the U.S. Constitution. When this reverence for the rule of law is combined with the Commonwealth’s many world-class inventive companies, research institutions, top colleges & technical schools, and students turned storied entrepreneurs, it’s not surprising that Massachusetts is at the forefront of legal policy, strategy, and practice in technology law.

Legal Guidance for Tech Law Compliance

Almost all companies are in the technology business today, whether they realize it or not. And as they continue expanding their reach into cyberspace and beyond—and incorporating the latest technological tools—the need for skilled technology lawyers is paramount, especially as this dynamic field becomes more complex each passing year as new technologies are introduced. It is vital to have qualified counsel familiar with the many facets and nuances of this rapidly evolving field. In today’s business climate, the technology lawyer’s role is essential to the success of any venture.

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