Internet & Social Media Law Blog

TikTok’s Meteoric Rise Causes Privacy Concerns

February 19, 2020

With over one billion monthly active users, chances are that you have heard of the wildly popular TikTok platform that is now owned and run by the Chinese company ByteDance. Allowing its users to live-stream anything from their latest lip-syncing battles of their favorite pop artist’s songs to controversial video content of government protests or operations—TikTok has understandably caught the attention and ire of governments (and parents) throughout the world. This includes the United States…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

The Mid Lane: Esports News – 1/22/20

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

January 22, 2020

The Mid Lane is a rundown of developments in the world of esports. Growth, taxes and malls? An unconventional esports location is dominating the industry news this week. The latest news roundup indicates that all signs point to the continual progression of esports. With the taxable state income of esports players flying under the radar until now, the Department of Revenue is seeking tax compliance for those prize pools. (Ellen Zavian, The Washington Post)…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

A New York DFS Proposal Could Treat Digital Coin Assets More Like Traditional Assets

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

January 10, 2020

In December, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) published a proposal to create a public list of approved virtual currencies and a self-certification methodology for holders of NY Bitlicenses and New York trust companies approved to engaged in a virtual currency business to offer to New York consumers virtual currencies without the need for additional approvals of the DFS. If adopted, the proposal would be a significant step at the state regulatory…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

Is Your Political Compliance Ready for Contributions via Text, Alexa and Bitcoins?

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

December 18, 2019

The 2020 election season underway, so now is a good time to make certain your internal policies and procedures address applicable campaign contribution laws. In “Text, Alexa, Bitcoin—Technology Is Making It Easier to Make Political Contributions,” colleagues Cassie Lentchner, Emily B. Erlingsson and Anita D. Stearns Mayo explore the complex federal, state and local campaign laws, including pay-to-play campaign law restrictions, exist and may regulate their personal contributions.…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

Three Recent Partnerships by Riot Games Showcase the Potential of Organization Sponsorship Deals

By James Chang Sean Gilbert & Neil Thakur

December 13, 2019

Last month in Paris, G2 Esports and FunPlus Phoenix competed in front of thousands of fans for the title of world champion, with millions more tuning in to live streams from around the globe. These teams did not compete on a soccer pitch, a basketball court, or a baseball diamond. Instead, they met on stage at Paris’ AccorHotels Arena, a venue more commonly associated with concerts than competitive sporting events. This event was no “ordinary”…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

The Mid Lane: Esports News – 12/11/19

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

December 11, 2019

Investments, acquisitions, more investments and more acquisitions make up the bulk of industry news this week, along with another sign of respect from sports-adjacent industries (hello Emmys!): G2 Esports receives $10 million investment from billionaire Joseph Tsai. (Jonno Nicholson, Esports Insider) Bitkraft leads funding to continue its string of esports investments. (Rebekah Valentine, gamesindustry.biz) Celebrities and venture capitalists are investing millions, as shown by November’s esports investments, mergers, and acquisitions. (Adam Fitch…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

Can CGI Influencers Displace Their Human Counterparts?

By Ashlee Hamilton

December 4, 2019

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the application of 3D computer graphics to special effects. CGI is used in films, television programs and, most recently, on social media. These images are not limited to modeling and practicing yoga … they even attend red carpet premiers. Technological advances may make CGI influencers better for business than their human counterparts. There is no risk of human issues or error, such as profanity or criminal history. They allow for more…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

News of Note for the Internet-Minded (11/12/19) – AI Biases, Deepfake Policies and Millions of Medical Records

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

November 12, 2019

Apple gets around to AR, the NHL enters eSports, the Internet of Things may bring new meaning to “workers unite,” so many medical records, and more … The road of AI learning has plenty of potholes in the form of existing biases. (Cade Metz, The New York Times) Twitter announces it will be developing a policy on deepfakes. (Makena Kelly, The Verge) The computational power needed for training AI…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

Could New MTC Draft Guidance Mean the End of P.L. 86-272 Immunity?

By Pillsburys Internet amp Social Media Team

November 11, 2019

The Interstate Income Act of 1959, a.k.a. Public Law 86-272, allows a business to enter a state (or send representatives to that state) to solicit orders for goods without being subject to a net income tax. As you might imagine, the advent of the internet created some interesting questions regarding application. The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) is updating its Public Law 86-272 guidance to address internet activities. Given this guidance was last updated in 2001,…

Internet & Social Media Law Blog

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