In our ever-developing world, social media has become a large part of daily communication and the expression of ideas. This places a responsibility on the companies that maintain these user-content platforms to utilize the information responsibly and moderate reasonably. The Harvard Undergraduate Law Review discussed with Kate Klonick, whose research focuses on these topics, on the advantages and downfalls of regulation, user-generated content, and Big Speech.

Drake and 21 Savage are being sued by Vogue’s Condé Nast for promoting their album “Her Loss” using its brand. Where does trademark law draw the line between art and commerce? Google recently agreed to a $392 million privacy settlement with 40 states for unauthorized location tracking practices. What is the role of tech giants in confronting personal privacy concerns in the 21st century? After the critical overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, prosecutors from Nebraska became the first law enforcement agency to use private Facebook data in a case against a teenager accused of having an illegal abortion. How should women and individuals think about their medical privacy and better protect one’s online footprint in an increasingly digitized and data-focused world?

In 1990, various prominent scientists began working on the Human Genome Project which sought to gain a deeper understanding of human genetics. When the project was completed in 2003, one of the main social implications was the discovery that human beings share 99.9% similar DNA across racial groups, debunking the theory that there is a genetic basis to race. The results of the project also led to significant legal implications for genetic science, including concerns about the privacy of genetic material and the implementation of medical genetic technologies. Many of these concerns are integral in the present expansion of genetic technologies such as precision medicine and consumer genetics. Precision medicine includes using an individual’s genetic makeup to decide on appropriate medical treatments. Consumer genetics encapsulates the growing market for at-home genetic tests that reveal ethnic makeup information as well as genetic risk factors for certain illnesses. There are serious concerns about the personal privacy and implementation of these technologies, as well as providing equitable access to these innovations.

This interview discusses the increasing globalization and cross-border nature of intellectual property disputes in the digital age. With the increased use of products and services across borders, IP infringement is also on the rise. New practices for identifying where IP infringement occurs and delivering recourse will be necessary, as it becomes increasingly important to efficiently litigate global disputes in the age of globalization and technology.

Indigenous peoples have traditionally passed down knowledge, practices, and cultural expressions through oral tradition and other forms of community-based transmission. This knowledge is often deeply tied to their sense of identity and connection to their land and resources. Intellectual property law, which is designed to protect the creations of individuals and companies, does not always take into account the communal nature of Indigenous knowledge. Furthermore, Indigenous knowledge is often misappropriated or used without proper attribution or compensation. This interview explores ways to respect and protect Indigenous knowledge within the framework of intellectual property law.