Genetics May Not Be Protected, Artificial Intelligence?

As we continue to move towards Machine-Generated works, I often wonder about what happens in the future when Artificial Intelligence becomes powerful enough to produce solutions to problems without human input. Even in our own professional field, we hear all the time about how the legal robot will one day take away many of the jobs that associates currently hold.

As it currently stands, there is no method of ownership for machine generated work. Currently, copyright law is limited to original intellectual conceptions of a human being. Therefore, a work not produced by a human being will not be registered by the US Copyright Office.

Great article discussing the considerations that will come into play moving forward. As it discusses the changes in legislation, I wonder if changes in the make up of the US Government will change this outlook.

According to Charlotte Walker-Osborn, the Head of Technology, Media and Telecoms Sector at Eversheds Sutherland, “while it follows that a work solely created by a machine is not eligible for US copyright, US law is silent on the issue of ownership of a work created solely or jointly by a machine.”

http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/is-artificial-intelligence-protectable-by-law-should-it-be

How Verizon is providing opportunities for kids to see a world of possibilities

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/weneedmore-how-verizon-is-providing-opportunities_us_58e4028ee4b09dbd42f3db45

See how tech companies like Verizon is using the concept of social entrepreneurship in order to help and improve global communities. Finding solutions to social problems such as access to education in rural communities is the first step to social entrepreneurs. Verizon is taking steps to incorporate the entrepreneurial spirit in children around the world.

“We’re also seeing impressive results from our Verizon Innovative Learning schools initiative, which equips children and teachers at select middle schools across the country with a tablet and two-year data plan.”

Top Five Legal Issues Entrepreneurs Must Know About

Here is an interesting article that identifies five major categories of laws that entrepreneurs starting a business should think about early on. These include equity; IP; tax; labor; and insurance. I found this to be a good read toward the end of our course, because it can act as a summary of the broader themes of the class. We must learn how to integrate our legal advice with the problems facing the entrepreneurs at that time in their business’s lifecycle. Articles like this, geared toward entrepreneurs, can give us valuable insight into what those problems may be.

The Supreme Court Should Bring Sanity to Patent Law

https://www.wired.com/2017/03/supreme-court-bring-sanity-patent-law/

This article aligns with our discussion of “patent trolls” and that could affect innovation in the bigger picture.

“The result is a loss to society. Innovators spend millions of dollars defending themselves from wasteful lawsuits that they otherwise could have spent developing new products and services.”

Soon the Supreme Court could change how the path of patent law is currently heading towards.

Any thoughts?

ND Alum “Saving Lives With Entrepreneurship”

This is an article about Notre Dame Law School Alum John Crowley, who created Amicus Therapeutics and was applauded by President Donald Trump in an address to Congress. A former attorney, Crowley created the biotech company to try and find a cure for Pompe disease, which his daughter and son survived.

The article discusses how Crowley “transitioned from a career as a lawyer to a career in business consulting and how he became a biotech entrepreneur, despite not being a particularly strong student in math and science.”

Discussing the legal field’s role, the article states: “James Farrington, an adjunct professor at the Law School and a partner in the Corporate Practice Department and Life Sciences Practice Group at Wiggin & Dana LLP in Stamford, Conn…said that it’s important for lawyers to remember how their work can impact scientific advances.

‘You’ll find in your career that you’ll be working many late nights…. One thing that motivated me – being fortunate to work in the life sciences industry – was to know that with most transactions I was working on, there was a Megan or a Patrick somewhere in the world that was affected by that,’ Farrington said.

‘Keep that in mind,’ he said. ‘It’s a race against time. I’m not a scientist, I’m not discovering the drug, but I can get that contract out a day earlier, a week earlier, and get things advanced. That’s what really motivates me and has been very gratifying for me in my career.’”

Raising an “Entrepreneurial Child”

An interesting article about an entrepreneurial father who is raising his son to be an “entrepreneurial child,” and describes his goal to “demonstrate the value of entrepreneurship at home.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2017/03/31/how-to-raise-an-entrepreneurial-child/#1d7e4f952ed4

He states: “In order to be successful in today’s competitive and often chaotic environment, you have to have a grit, intelligence, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.”

He concludes that “entrepreneurship is an attitude, not an occupation.”

Worth the read!!