Jef Pearlman
@jefatlaw.bsky.social
Law prof, activist, attorney, coder, catter.
Directs BU/MIT Student Innovations Law Clinic (@silc.bsky.social).
he/him. Trans rights are human rights.
Formerly active at @JefAtLaw.
Directs BU/MIT Student Innovations Law Clinic (@silc.bsky.social).
he/him. Trans rights are human rights.
Formerly active at @JefAtLaw.
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
Love how many @oshwassociation.bsky.social Summit slides feature certified own hardware logos
May 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Love how many @oshwassociation.bsky.social Summit slides feature certified own hardware logos
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
Looks like L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto will have at least one opponent in 2026: Marissa Roy, who currently works for State A.G. Rob Bonta as a deputy attorney general.
Roy, who handles consumer protection cases, filed paperwork with the state creating her campaign committee
Roy, who handles consumer protection cases, filed paperwork with the state creating her campaign committee
February 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Looks like L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto will have at least one opponent in 2026: Marissa Roy, who currently works for State A.G. Rob Bonta as a deputy attorney general.
Roy, who handles consumer protection cases, filed paperwork with the state creating her campaign committee
Roy, who handles consumer protection cases, filed paperwork with the state creating her campaign committee
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
It is hard to even articulate how stupid and dangerous this is in this particular moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
U.K. orders Apple to let it spy on users’ encrypted accounts
Secret order requires blanket access to protected cloud backups around the world, which if implemented would undermine Apple’s privacy pledge to its users.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It is hard to even articulate how stupid and dangerous this is in this particular moment.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
I am honored that my article is appearing in such good company in this new issue of the University of Chicago Law Review--check out these important pieces on secret settlements, religion, and bankruptcy: lawreview.uchicago.edu/print-archiv....
January 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I am honored that my article is appearing in such good company in this new issue of the University of Chicago Law Review--check out these important pieces on secret settlements, religion, and bankruptcy: lawreview.uchicago.edu/print-archiv....
Sixth Circuit Net Neutrality decision is out: www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf...
Still digesting the reasoning, but the conclusion is bad: court holds that broadband internet access services are unambiguously Title I, and vacates all the net neutrality rules.
Still digesting the reasoning, but the conclusion is bad: court holds that broadband internet access services are unambiguously Title I, and vacates all the net neutrality rules.
January 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Sixth Circuit Net Neutrality decision is out: www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf...
Still digesting the reasoning, but the conclusion is bad: court holds that broadband internet access services are unambiguously Title I, and vacates all the net neutrality rules.
Still digesting the reasoning, but the conclusion is bad: court holds that broadband internet access services are unambiguously Title I, and vacates all the net neutrality rules.
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
At long last, my article about fair use defenses in disruptive technology cases--from photocopying to generative Ai--is finally out in the UCLA Law Review
www.uclalawreview.org/fair-use-def...
www.uclalawreview.org/fair-use-def...
Fair Use Defenses in Disruptive Technology Cases | UCLA Law Review
Abstract The fair use limitation on the scope of authorial exclusive rights is expected to be the main defense in lawsuits charging generative artificial in ...
www.uclalawreview.org
December 28, 2024 at 6:10 PM
At long last, my article about fair use defenses in disruptive technology cases--from photocopying to generative Ai--is finally out in the UCLA Law Review
www.uclalawreview.org/fair-use-def...
www.uclalawreview.org/fair-use-def...
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
An open letter to Jeff Bezos (that he'll never read): It's you dude. You're the reason why people don't trust the media.
www.techdirt.com/2024/10/29/d...
www.techdirt.com/2024/10/29/d...
Dear Jeff Bezos: The ‘Hard Truth’ Is That Cowardice Like Yours Is Why People Don’t Trust The Media
Hey Jeff, Since I know you’ll never actually read this, I figured the best way to set this up as an open letter. One that you should read, but never will. It appears that your stupendously cowardly…
www.techdirt.com
October 29, 2024 at 4:40 PM
An open letter to Jeff Bezos (that he'll never read): It's you dude. You're the reason why people don't trust the media.
www.techdirt.com/2024/10/29/d...
www.techdirt.com/2024/10/29/d...
I have a new project. I call it the "Brooklyn Bridge." It will be available before 2027. In the meantime, check this out.
October 11, 2024 at 5:45 PM
I have a new project. I call it the "Brooklyn Bridge." It will be available before 2027. In the meantime, check this out.
I've noticed that almost none of the coverage uses the word "backdoor," despite it being a common, well-established cybersecurity term. Maybe because it's too obviously insecure?
Once again, for the people in the back: we don't build back doors because there is no way to build a back door that only good guys can walk through, motherfuckers.
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
www.wsj.com/tech/cyberse...
www.wsj.com
October 6, 2024 at 6:18 PM
I've noticed that almost none of the coverage uses the word "backdoor," despite it being a common, well-established cybersecurity term. Maybe because it's too obviously insecure?
Want to contribute to some research on the role of @xkcd.com in the scientific and technical community? Click this, and please share!
forms.office.com/r/NKxGrqvFgx
via danah boyd (@zephoria.bsky.social) and Parker Bach
forms.office.com/r/NKxGrqvFgx
via danah boyd (@zephoria.bsky.social) and Parker Bach
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
September 20, 2024 at 6:26 PM
Want to contribute to some research on the role of @xkcd.com in the scientific and technical community? Click this, and please share!
forms.office.com/r/NKxGrqvFgx
via danah boyd (@zephoria.bsky.social) and Parker Bach
forms.office.com/r/NKxGrqvFgx
via danah boyd (@zephoria.bsky.social) and Parker Bach
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
Since the start of the year, women law professors, deans and students have received messages on their personal cellphones saying things like, “Law school isn’t fair for us men.” The FBI is reportedly investigating. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/47rIgVJ
Female law faculty, students are getting unsettling texts
Since the start of the year, women law professors, deans and students have received messages on their personal cellphones saying things like, “Law school isn’t fair for us men.” The FBI is reportedly ...
bit.ly
September 17, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Since the start of the year, women law professors, deans and students have received messages on their personal cellphones saying things like, “Law school isn’t fair for us men.” The FBI is reportedly investigating. #HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky bit.ly/47rIgVJ
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
Come and catch me at DragonCon this week!
August 26, 2024 at 5:42 PM
Come and catch me at DragonCon this week!
I've been playing around with calling the act of doing this "dunning" and the people who do so "Krugers."
With apologies to Dunning and Kruger themselves: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning...
With apologies to Dunning and Kruger themselves: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning...
It's too bad this word is so cumbersome. Because man, we could get some mileage out of it right now.
Guess I'll keep trying to make "follymath" happen.
dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionar...
Guess I'll keep trying to make "follymath" happen.
dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionar...
ultracrepidarian
1. someone who has no special knowledge of a subject but who expresses an…
dictionary.cambridge.org
August 28, 2024 at 6:40 PM
I've been playing around with calling the act of doing this "dunning" and the people who do so "Krugers."
With apologies to Dunning and Kruger themselves: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning...
With apologies to Dunning and Kruger themselves: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning...
Is there a feature or tool on here that will display a small indicator next to a poster showing if you follow them or not? When I see stuff reposted by friends, I'd love to be able to immediately know I'm following someone so I can add people who say worthwhile things. (Will suggest if not.)
August 27, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Is there a feature or tool on here that will display a small indicator next to a poster showing if you follow them or not? When I see stuff reposted by friends, I'd love to be able to immediately know I'm following someone so I can add people who say worthwhile things. (Will suggest if not.)
This. If you look at the standard justifications for punishment—e.g., deterrence, retribution, incapacitation—the disenfranchisement argument is _very_ weak. And the risks and examples of abuse are extensive.
We shouldn't let outcomes of the criminal "justice" system strip this fundamental right.
We shouldn't let outcomes of the criminal "justice" system strip this fundamental right.
We need a Voting Rights Amendment, not Act, that gives everyone the irrevocable right to vote.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
This is one of biggest voting rights issues of 2024:
Nebraska’s GOP AG & SoS have unilaterally decided NE should ignore 2 laws that enable rights restoration, throwing votes of tens of thousands of people in limbo — as major stakes loom in Omaha races. boltsmag.org/nebraska-vot...
Nebraska’s GOP AG & SoS have unilaterally decided NE should ignore 2 laws that enable rights restoration, throwing votes of tens of thousands of people in limbo — as major stakes loom in Omaha races. boltsmag.org/nebraska-vot...
August 26, 2024 at 9:18 PM
This. If you look at the standard justifications for punishment—e.g., deterrence, retribution, incapacitation—the disenfranchisement argument is _very_ weak. And the risks and examples of abuse are extensive.
We shouldn't let outcomes of the criminal "justice" system strip this fundamental right.
We shouldn't let outcomes of the criminal "justice" system strip this fundamental right.
Reposted by Jef Pearlman
We need a Voting Rights Amendment, not Act, that gives everyone the irrevocable right to vote.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
This is one of biggest voting rights issues of 2024:
Nebraska’s GOP AG & SoS have unilaterally decided NE should ignore 2 laws that enable rights restoration, throwing votes of tens of thousands of people in limbo — as major stakes loom in Omaha races. boltsmag.org/nebraska-vot...
Nebraska’s GOP AG & SoS have unilaterally decided NE should ignore 2 laws that enable rights restoration, throwing votes of tens of thousands of people in limbo — as major stakes loom in Omaha races. boltsmag.org/nebraska-vot...
Nebraska Reverts to 19th-Century Voting Restrictions, Clouding Rights for Thousands
Confusion and fear over voting rights intensifies after top GOP officials shutter registration for people with past felony convictions and attempt to reimpose lifetime disenfranchisement.
boltsmag.org
August 26, 2024 at 6:41 PM
We need a Voting Rights Amendment, not Act, that gives everyone the irrevocable right to vote.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
No one should be disenfranchised. Ever.
“aRe YOu oKAy lEtTInG mUrdErErs vOTe?!”
A. Yes. Period.
B. It’s clear that the abuse of these laws are far costlier than whatever benefits.
But also? See A.
In undergrad I wrote my first law-related paper about this, interviewing the prosecutor in that case. I also emailed with @mnemonic.bsky.social, who I'd get to work for years later, plus Bruce Sterling. In a class taught by Hal Abelson. A wild confluence that, years later, set me on a new path.
This year’s enamel pin is here. I love how it turned out.
It commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Morris Worm (8:30pm on Nov 2, 1988), which resulted in the very first prosecution under the famed, but problematic, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
thegarbagefile.etsy.com/listing/1753...
It commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Morris Worm (8:30pm on Nov 2, 1988), which resulted in the very first prosecution under the famed, but problematic, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
thegarbagefile.etsy.com/listing/1753...
August 25, 2024 at 10:26 PM
In undergrad I wrote my first law-related paper about this, interviewing the prosecutor in that case. I also emailed with @mnemonic.bsky.social, who I'd get to work for years later, plus Bruce Sterling. In a class taught by Hal Abelson. A wild confluence that, years later, set me on a new path.
This article is exactly as good as the headline would suggest.
August 25, 2024 at 10:06 PM
This article is exactly as good as the headline would suggest.
This partially explains how the piece has so little to do with the headline. (It has little to do with anything, but that's a separate point.)
And easy to confirm:
web.archive.org/web/20240817...
And easy to confirm:
web.archive.org/web/20240817...
August 18, 2024 at 10:33 PM
This partially explains how the piece has so little to do with the headline. (It has little to do with anything, but that's a separate point.)
And easy to confirm:
web.archive.org/web/20240817...
And easy to confirm:
web.archive.org/web/20240817...
I know we're a law school and everything, but do the library doors have to be an fact pattern for an exam?
August 15, 2024 at 4:36 PM
I know we're a law school and everything, but do the library doors have to be an fact pattern for an exam?
Sometimes, not sharing is caring.
June 30, 2024 at 3:06 AM
Sometimes, not sharing is caring.
USC is on full lockdown. No one allowed in or out.
May 2, 2024 at 2:28 AM
USC is on full lockdown. No one allowed in or out.
Does anyone have any tools or contacts for reinstating a Google group? A large, established, important, and entirely legitimate academic group was recently shut down, apparently due to a malicious report, and Google has offered no explanation or path to appeal or discuss.
May 1, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Does anyone have any tools or contacts for reinstating a Google group? A large, established, important, and entirely legitimate academic group was recently shut down, apparently due to a malicious report, and Google has offered no explanation or path to appeal or discuss.
This may be my favorite spam text of the many I have gotten.
September 30, 2023 at 12:36 AM
This may be my favorite spam text of the many I have gotten.