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Ben Hancock

Ben Hancock

Ben Hancock is the Data Editor for ALM Media and Law.com. He is based in San Francisco.

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March 08, 2018 | Law.com

A Hacker-Lawyer's View on Blockchain, Big Law and Cybersecurity

In this episode of Unprecedented, Alexander Urbelis of New York's Blackstone Law Group talks about how he went from teenage hacker to Big Law attorney, and how that unusual path has shaped his legal practice.

By Ben Hancock |

2 minute read

March 07, 2018 | The Recorder

Judge Tosses 'Zombie Go Boom' Advertisement Suit Against YouTube

A federal judge ruled YouTube's agreement with content providers gives it the discretion not to display ads.

By Ben Hancock |

3 minute read

March 06, 2018 | Law.com

What's Next: Whose Drone Is That? | Coinbase in the Crosshairs | Big Tech Defends the SCA

A look ahead at drone regulation, the latest on litigation over crypto, and insight into a legal battle involving major tech firms over the Stored Communications Act -- no, not that one.

By Ben Hancock |

7 minute read

March 05, 2018 | The Recorder

Who's That in the Sky? FAA Poised to Move Forward With Drone ID Rule

A rule requiring drone identification technology could help pave the way for other, more permissive regulations. But it's up in the air how the FAA will handle legal restrictions on regulating hobbyists and privacy challenges.

By Ben Hancock |

7 minute read

March 02, 2018 | The Recorder

Coinbase Hit With Class Action Claiming Insiders Benefited From 'Bitcoin Cash' Launch

The company is accused of tipping off employees to the launch of trading in Bitcoin Cash on its exchange, allowing regular investors to be ripped off.

By Ben Hancock |

3 minute read

February 28, 2018 | The Recorder

In-House Counsel Poll Finds a Quarter Have Used Litigation Finance—Mainly in Tech

The survey also showed that corporate legal departments often drive the decision to use third-party funders, but that many in-house lawyers have ethical reservations.

By Ben Hancock |

2 minute read

February 28, 2018 | Law.com

What's Next: Ethical Machines | SCOTUS in the 'Cloud' | AI Crunches Contract Law

Are the U.S. and EU set up for a clash in regulating the ethics of autonomous vehicles? Plus, SCOTUS wrestles with cloud computing in the Microsoft oral arguments, and LawGeex makes a splash with new metrics about AI performance.

By Ben Hancock

4 minute read

February 27, 2018 | Legaltech News

AI Is Besting Human Lawyers at Parsing Contracts. What Do Lawyers Think?

LawGeex's report concludes its algorithm is on average more accurate and a whole lot faster than human lawyers, and warns that attorneys who don't embrace AI "are unlikely to thrive into the next decade."

By Ben Hancock |

5 minute read

February 26, 2018 | The Recorder

Facebook Loses Bid to Get Biometrics Suit Tossed on 'Spokeo' Grounds

A federal judge in San Francisco has denied Facebook's bid to have a set of privacy class actions brought over its "tag suggestions" feature thrown out.

By Ben Hancock |

2 minute read

February 22, 2018 | The Recorder

Judge Turns Back Software Maker's Copyright Claims Over Film Special Effects

A judge wrote he did "not find it plausible" that the special effects were created by Rearden's software without a substantial contribution by actors and directors.

By Ben Hancock |

3 minute read