SOUTHFIELD – A lot of Michigan law firms offer legal expertise in Intellectual Property. A few have touched on issues related to Augmented and Virtual Reality. Others are exploring the newly emerging technologies of Drones and what’s called the Internet of Things. Now Warner Norcross & Judd has created the Emerging Media and Connected Devices group to offer legal advice related to all of these technologies.
“I think it is a unique approach,” said group co-chairman Brian Wassom, who has been active in the augmented reality industry for seven years. “We’re certainly the only lawyers in the state with this degree of focus on AR and VR. I’m not aware of any other general practice firms that have put as much emphasis on these technologies as a whole.”
He added: “The Emerging Media Practice Group is meant to show that we not only understand the issues surrounding these cutting edge technologies, but we’re actively involved in shaping the conversations in areas where there aren’t any real legal rules yet. Technology companies and publishers can count on us to help them craft a comprehensive legal strategy to protect their interests in these new media.”
Current Warner Norcross & Judd clients range from startups responsible for some of the most innovative and awarded AR/VR devices and content on the market, to trade associations and established multinationals looking to capitalize on the rapid innovation happening across the technological spectrum. Examples of what its team members have done include:
• Filing a ground-breaking First Amendment lawsuit responsible for enjoining a municipal ordinance, adopted in response to Pokemon Go, that purported to regulate the publication of location-based augmented reality games
• Litigated a cutting-edge case now discussed in copyright textbooks that clarified the boundaries of copyright protection in digital imagery
• Advising the United States Senate on augmented reality legal issues
• Representing a global trade association responsible for industry-leading conferences on augmented reality, virtual reality, internet of things, and wearable technologies
• Advising on privacy issues presented by drones and demonstrating thought leadership on drone legal issues
• Defending the intellectual property rights of content creators and device manufacturers in the augmented reality and virtual reality industries
• Obtaining removal of infringing, defamatory, and revenge porn content from social media sites and virtual worlds, including in new circumstances presenting issues of first impression
• Advising major brands on social media marketing and compliance with FTC regulations
• Drafting corporate social media policies and responding to employee misuse of social media
• Educated judges, attorneys, and business people in the legal issues arising from social media, AR/VR, and drones
Click here to contact Brian Wassom.
