[IP Hot Topics Podcast] Innovation Conversations: Walter Isaacson, Part 1
Clinton: SCOTUS Myriad Genetics Decision 'Terrific'
Can You Patent Human Genes? ACLU Says No
Yours, Mine and Ours (not yet!): An Update on the Patentability of Human Genes
23andMe, a pioneer in the DNA testing kit industry, announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and recently asked to select an independent customer data representative regarding any sale of user data....more
Several state attorneys general (AGs) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have begun scrutinizing ancestry tracking company 23andMe following its recent announcement that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of...more
Sometimes important contributions to innovation can come from the mundane rather than the extraordinary. One (perhaps apocryphal) example comes from the story of the early development of television by Philo Farnsworth (the...more
Welcome to our sixth volume and first issue of 2025 of Decoded - our technology law insights e-newsletter. We have been publishing for six years and could not continue without our committed readers and your insights....more
In a decision that raises significant questions about the future oversight of genetically engineered (GE) plants in the United States, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Monday, December 2,...more
Welcome to our ninth 2024 issue of Decoded - our technology law insights e-newsletter. How are States Using Generative Artificial Intelligence? and Employee AI Adoption Cools Globally - Why this is important: As...more
Direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) genetic testing companies are faced with more scrutiny than ever over their privacy practices, security practices, and data use policies. In December 2023, 23andMe experienced a data breach...more
In November 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed against the genetic testing company, 23andMe. The plaintiffs alleged that a data breach resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of 6.9 million users’ personal and genetic...more
The recent $30 million settlement between 23andMe and 6.4 million users following a major data breach offers important lessons for businesses dealing with sensitive genetic and genomic information....more
We have written a couple of times about the 23&Me phenomenon and the chance that those who enter this unknown world come back not just surprised but possibly creeped out by their quest for ancestral knowledge. USA Today...more
Can a person claiming to be the decedent’s biological child out of wedlock obtain a court order directing DNA testing of the decedent’s acknowledged children, in order to verify her claim? In Matter of Estate of McGuire, 203...more
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sent clear signals that it will pursue companies for “AI washing” — touting the use of artificial intelligence in ways that are false or misleading. The SEC has imposed fines...more
The "genome revolution" over the past 30 years has resulted in the elucidation of several species, both domesticated (see, e.g., "The Genetic Basis of Coat Variation in Dogs"; "Further and More Detailed Study of Domestic Cat...more
In family law cases in North Carolina, parental rights can seem particularly complex, especially when children are born to unmarried couples. Navigating this terrain involves a legal process known as legitimation, which aims...more
Employers are facing new potential legal risks under the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) and the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) over inquiries in routine employment physicals...more
On February 13, 2024, Nebraska’s Governor signed Legislative Bill 308, which enacts additional consumer protections for consumers in the state. It is similar to another genetic information law passed by Montana last year. ...more
Valentine’s Day seemed an odd time to report the subject but CNN posted a five minute story provocatively titled as “I Slept with My Half Sibling.” This recounts the story of a Connecticut social worker who had symptoms of a...more
We previously alerted readers to the fact that the most recent data compromise of 23andMe exposed data related to Ashkenazi Jews and individuals of Chinese descent. It is reported by Ars Technica, citing TechCrunch, that...more
The Federal Trade Commission recently published a blog post regarding the privacy of DNA. What do you need to know? •Protecting biometric information – including genetic data – is a top FTC priority. (See FTC Biometric...more
First, the confession. I spent the other day driving around and listening to public radio. Whether by reason of re-broadcast of prior shows or perhaps something new, the feed I heard involved two topics we have blogged about....more
Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: • FTC Doesn’t Sugarcoat Warning Letters to Social Media...more
The Federal Trade Commission and the California Attorney General teamed up against California company CRI Genetics, LLC filing a joint complaint against the company alleging that it engaged in deceptive practices when it...more
California AG Rob Bonta and the FTC settled with CRI Genetics, LLC to resolve allegations that the DNA testing firm violated the FTC Act and California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law by making...more
New York has joined the growing number of states that have enacted “clean slate” legislation that will automatically seal certain criminal records. The new law will require employers to review any hiring processes related to...more
We previously reported on the unfortunate data breach suffered by 23andMe last month and its implications. We never imagined how horrible it could be....more