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Patentable Subject Matter: The Boundaries of § 101

Patentable Subject Matter: The Boundaries of § 101 I. Introduction What is a Patentable Subject Matter? Patent law in the United States is grounded in a constitutional mandate to “promote the progress of science and useful arts.” Codified primarily in Title 35 of the U.S. Code, the law provides inventors with a time-limited monopoly in exchange for public disclosure of their inventions. Among the foundational pillars of this legal structure is 35 U.S.C. § 101, Read more

By Tsvety, ago

USA PATRIOT Act (2001): Mass Surveillance vs. Fourth Amendment Tensions

USA PATRIOT Act (2001): Mass Surveillance vs. Fourth Amendment Tensions I. Introduction The USA PATRIOT Act, formally titled the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, was enacted swiftly in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Heralded as a necessary response to unprecedented threats, it dramatically expanded the federal government’s surveillance and investigatory powers. However, it also ignited a protracted constitutional debate—especially concerning Read more

By Tsvety, ago

The Nondelegation Doctrine: From Schechter Poultry to the Modern Administrative State

The Nondelegation Doctrine: From Schechter Poultry to the Modern Administrative StateExamining the Constitutional Limits on Congress’s Ability to Delegate Legislative Power I. Introduction At the heart of the American constitutional structure lies the principle of separation of powers: legislative, executive, and judicial powers are allocated among distinct branches of government. One essential corollary of this arrangement is the nondelegation doctrine, which holds that Congress, vested with legislative authority by Article I of the U.S. Constitution, Read more

By Tsvety, ago

Three Strikes Laws in the 1990s: Origins, Implementation, and Controversy

Three Strikes Laws in the 1990s: Origins, Implementation, and Controversy I. Introduction The “Three Strikes” laws that proliferated across the United States in the 1990s represent one of the most emblematic and controversial elements of the tough-on-crime era. These laws mandated significantly harsher prison sentences—often life imprisonment—for individuals convicted of a third serious or violent felony. Championed as a response to fears about rising crime and recidivism, these laws were adopted at both the state Read more

By Tsvety, ago

Deepfake Defamation: Section 230 Immunity Challenges

Deepfake Defamation: Section 230 Immunity Challenges The proliferation of deepfake technology—synthetic media generated using artificial intelligence to convincingly fabricate images, audio, and video—poses a profound challenge to traditional legal concepts such as defamation and platform liability. At the heart of this legal tension lies Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), a statute originally enacted in 1996 to shield internet platforms from liability for user-generated content. As deepfakes become increasingly realistic and potentially destructive Read more

By Tsvety, ago

The Future of Non-Compete Clauses After the FTC’s Proposed Big Ban 101

The Future of Non-Compete Clauses After the FTC’s Proposed Ban Non-compete clauses have long been a contentious feature of American employment contracts. Designed to prevent employees from joining competitors or starting rival businesses, these agreements have been criticized for suppressing wages, stifling innovation, and limiting worker mobility. In April 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced a sweeping rule to ban most non-compete agreements, marking a significant shift in U.S. labor policy. However, the rule’s Read more

By Tsvety, ago

Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Legal Implications and Challenges

Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Legal Implications and Challenges What is the relation between Blockchain and Smart Contracts? The emergence of blockchain technology and smart contracts represents a paradigm shift in the domains of finance, governance, and law. Originally conceptualized as the foundation for cryptocurrencies, blockchain has evolved into a broader infrastructure capable of transforming contractual relations and institutional trust. Smart contracts—self-executing code that runs on a blockchain—promise to automate agreements and reduce dependency on intermediaries. Read more

By Tsvety, ago

Squatters’ Rights: How Adverse Possession Works (and How to Fight It)

Squatters’ Rights: How Adverse Possession Works (and How to Fight It) In the complex intersection of property law and social equity lies the controversial doctrine of adverse possession, often popularly framed under the colloquial term “squatters’ rights.” The idea that an unauthorized occupant of land or property could eventually claim legal ownership over it is perplexing to many, particularly property owners. Yet, this legal doctrine has deep roots in common law, aimed originally at rewarding Read more

By Tsvety, ago

The Most Important Legal Acts in American Criminal Law 101

The Most Important Legal Acts in American Criminal Law The American criminal law system is built upon a complex interplay of federal and state legislation, constitutional principles, judicial interpretation, and legal tradition. Among these, certain legal acts have emerged as foundational pillars in defining crimes, setting procedures, and ensuring the balance between state power and individual rights. This essay examines the most important legislative acts in American criminal law, focusing on their historical emergence, doctrinal Read more

By Tsvety, ago