Advances in blockchain, cryptocurrency and encryption may well turn out to be the most significant technologies of this generation. Many experts even believe the impact blockchain technology will have is comparable to the Internet itself. But as these concepts and implementing platforms continue to evolve and become mainstream in our society, the law continues to lag behind. The federal government is still looking to settle on a legal definition of what blockchain even is. Without a legal definition, determining how blockchain and cryptocurrency should be regulated is near impossible. The IRS views cryptocurrency as property. The SEC views it as a security. And the Commodity Futures Trading Commission views it (not surprisingly) as a commodity. This is why any business looking to enter the blockchain and cryptocurrency fray needs a legal team with tech-savvy attorneys. At Rockridge®, we are proud to offer that team, having attorneys with experience in data privacy, software, corporate/business law, and securities.
A concern of many companies that can be wholly independent of blockchain and encryption technologies involves the disposition of data rights. In the federal acquisition regulations (FAR) alone there are a half dozen different definitions of data. Proprietary platforms that utilize, market, produce and/or exploit data are subject to legal restrictions. When personally identifiable consumer, financial or health information is involved, this often means privacy regulations. When non-personal but otherwise valuable data is involved, this means one and usually more of federal, state and international regulations.
Some of our blockchain and data services include:
| Blockchain Patents | DEAR Data Controls | FAR Data Controls |
| Import/Export Licenses | NIST FIPS Approval | Open-Source Audits |
| Smart Contracts | Software Copyrights | Software Licenses |
Kevin Christopher, JD/MBA, leads Rockridge®, a Certifed B Corp law firm, as corporate and patent attorney. Kevin is also founder and CEO of QUANTiSCOPE®, an AI/ML biotech public benefit corporation. Kevin is active in his local communities, having served in Americorps, as county and state commissioner, and on the boards of several environmental and social equity nonprofits. He has also advanced international sustainability goals through working groups of the World Economic Forum and similar organizations. Kevin has enjoyed a diverse and fulfilling career, counting as direct business and legal mentors Vincent Stanley of Patagonia, Joe Tsai of Alibaba, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and U..S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer.
Micah Gonzalez is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) focused on brand, data, and regulatory law. She helps high-impact, high-growth companies comply with and benefit from various state and federal data, intellectual property, and regulatory frameworks in order to maximize their benefit and commercial potential.
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