The Field Law Emerging Technology Group works to keep you aware of the latest developments and how they may affect your business and personal lives. Field Law can help you manage your internet and emerging technology risks in the following areas:
Blockchain + Smart Contracts
We are in the midst of an endless stream of developments in hardware, software and computing power that has pushed blockchain and cryptocurrencies into the mainstream. With these new opportunities also come new risks and challenges, with unique legal obstacles. In this emerging industry, government regulation and oversight is developing and changing quickly as these new technologies become widely adopted. Our team has helped clients with a variety of blockchain issues, including litigating urgent injunctions to enforce smart contracts on the Blockchain and helping a client with a blocked digital wallet.
As you contend with the commercial and technical realities, regulations, risks and opportunities in this evolving sector, the Emerging Technology team at Field Law can help you with:
- Advice on the negotiation and drafting of smart contract reference terms
- Drafting consortium agreements for private or permission-based ledgers, and
- Developing consortium governance policies, participant agreements, consortium management agreements, technology license agreements.
Cryptocurrencies
In the past decade, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple have significantly altered the landscape of electronic transactions. Utilizing distributed ledger and block chain technology, these cryptocurrencies are fundamentally changing the way we do business. From share transactions and contracts, to money transfers and supply chain management, blockchain and cryptocurrencies are altering the way businesses process electronic transactions and manage assets. In this emerging industry, government regulation and oversight is developing and changing quickly as these new technologies become widely adopted. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your assets are protected and that your business can utilize these new technologies to grow your business safely.
Services provided for cryptocurrencies:
- Wallet and Firewall Agreement
- IT Outsourcing and Service Agreements
- Cyber Liability
- Security Opinions
- Security Enforcement
- Security Protocols and Encryption Standards
Esports
At Field Law, we provide advice on all manner of issues impacting the esports sector, including:
- Providing strategic and risk assessment for esports businesses and players
- Providing copyright, patent and trademark advice relating to live streaming play, and moding
- Structuring sponsorship agreements with major sponsors
- Consulting with AESA and other industry and regulatory bodies regarding a legal framework for the governance of esports in Canada
- Applying for non-immigration visas for gamers and support personnel
- Advising on the creation, acquisition, expansion and operations of eSports teams, including employment and commercial matters, streamer contracts, player contracts and league participation agreements
- Financing of esports businesses including securing venture capital financing
- Creating end-user license agreements, terms of service and privacy policies
BioTech
Biotechnology relies on continuous innovation, obtaining and sustaining funding for research and development, and having intellectual property protection in place to protect new products and processes. Our team of corporate and commercial lawyers, patent agents and trademark agents bring extensive technical knowledge to the wide range of issues affecting the biotechnology sector. We use our industry knowledge to support our clients with technology development and licensing, intellectual property protection and enforcement, regulatory approval and corporate structuring.
The Emerging Technology Group offers its clients the opportunity to stay up to date and prepared for related developments in Canada by offering lunch and learn sessions on the latest legislative movements, insurance trends and technology developments both here at home and globally. We also offer webinars and an eNewsletter with all the latest information on drones, blockchain and cyber liability.
Where we began: Our client was convicted under s. 602.45 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (part of the Aeronautics Act) for flying his drone too close to an airport. A trial he was represented by volunteer law students. We were approached by them to represent the client on the appeal of the conviction. The issue on appeal was whether the trial judge had correctly found that our client had beyond a reasonable doubt, flown a model aircraft in a manner that was or was likely hazardous to aviation safety. The only law that applied to recreational use of a drone at that time.
Our approach: Through the appeal process we used our in-depth industry knowledge and deep understanding of the new regulatory frameworks to assist the Court in understanding the applicable law relating to recreational drone use.
The result: The appeal of our client’s conviction was successful. Within weeks of the decision s. 602.45 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations was amended to no longer apply to drones and the Minister of Transport issued an Interim Order that provide more clarity for recreational drone operators. This prevented other drone users across Canada from facing the same penalty.