Tag: Smart Contracts

Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & Law: an online key to unlocking the future of business, tech & law

Posted on by TME in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Education, innovation, Intellectual Property, Internet, Law Practice, law school, law student, Smart Contracts, UNH
Credit: WIPO

When I fell down the proverbial rabbit hole of the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem, I had no idea I’d turn into part-expert, part-evangelist. But here I am. And because you found your way to this post, here you are too! So we are in great company.

Blockchain Education @ UNH Law

After spending the better part of every waking hour fully immersed in the space by writing, speaking and crafting a curriculum and program, we are starting to enjoy the fruits of our labor here at UNH Law in launching a host of innovative course offerings in partnership with iLaw Ventures (a BARBRI company).

Education about blockchain, cryptocurrencies and other crypto assets, is essential. This is especially true for entrepreneurs, law students, lawyers and business professionals, as the blockchain community continues to develop the infrastructure of Web 3.0.

Honored to be a part of the #blockchainedu build

Coindesk published a substantive article, written by Leigh Cuen, to highlight exclusive details about the UNH Law online certificate program. Cuen’s article also explored the state and, more importantly the future, of blockchain education, in general. Program details are noted below. But here is an excerpt from the article:

It’s not a bear market for everyone.

“A crypto winter for the price is a crypto summer for attorneys,” said Jason Civalleri, adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire Law School. “As the price sinks, you have a lot of demand for legal services.”

That’s why UNH Law is rushing to offer a new certificate program in blockchain and cryptocurrency. As exclusively told to CoinDesk, over 100 students have expressed interest in the program, which will feature of slew of industry players as guest lecturers – including Hester Peirce of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Ethereum Foundation researcher Vlad Zamfir and MyCrypto CEO Taylor Monahan.

Read the full article: Lawyers Rush In: New UNH Blockchain Program Nabs Big-Name Speakers

About the BC&L Certificate Program

Continue reading “Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & Law: an online key to unlocking the future of business, tech & law” →

Blockchain, Crypto & Smart Contracts: What they are & what they mean for IP

Posted on by TME in Blockchain, Copyright, Cryptocurrency, Digital, Entrepreneurship, innovation, Intellectual Property, Internet, Smart Contracts

© 2018 Tonya M. Evans

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CC BY-ND

Recently, I delivered two presentations in Bangkok, Thailand about the intellectual property implications of blockchain technology. The first was an internal preso for the prominent Southeast Asian law firm of Tilleke & Gibbins, and the second was for the Licensing Executives Society-Thailand Conference.

In each preso, I engaged attendees (live and via video conference) in a macro-level exploration of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts to clarify what this relatively new disruptive, empowering ecosystem is, what it means for our collective future as attorneys, corporate leaders, startup founders and entrepreneurs, and its implications in intellectual property law.

Recently, Darts-IP.com published an article I wrote titled IP + Blockchain: A Primer based on some of the information I shared in Bangkok.

I could spend all day every day falling down the proverbial rabbit hole of information about blockchain. There is literally breaking blockchain and cryptocurrency news every minute, if Coindesk’s website and twitter feed are any indication. Each bit and byte of information leads to more information (and misinformation), FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt), FOMO (fear of missing out), and speculation about all of the potential pitfalls and opportunities in this new technology frontier. So it’s difficult for most people to figure out where to begin. If this describes you, you’re not alone and you’ve come to the right place! Read on.

You probably have questions (or you wouldn’t be reading this post). Lots of them. The first may very well be where to begin to get a handle on the power and promise of blockchain. Everyone should have some baseline understanding. But lawyers, in particular, must achieve basic technological competence in this space to be well positioned to help clients solve problems. Given my background and expertise, I am particularly interested in the intellectual property issues triggered by blockchain’s rise in mainstream adoption as research & development use cases transition into full implementation and refinement.

In future posts, I will share trends and current events in the blockchain ecosystem that raise copyright, patent, and trademark issues. Follow me on Twitter @IPProfEvans for breaking IP-related blockchain and crypto news. Below are some blockchain basics that I cover more substantively in IP + Blockchain: A Primer and some additional resources about blockchain, crypto, and smart contracts.

So … what is Blockchain? [Updated excerpt from IP + Blockchain: A Primer]  Continue reading “Blockchain, Crypto & Smart Contracts: What they are & what they mean for IP” →