A gavel in front of U.S. and China flags with the TikTok logo, implying legal proceedings involving TikTok.

A TikTok Ban Update

The Update on the TikTok Ban In The Ticking Clock to a TikTok Stop, I discussed the TikTok ban bill then under consideration in the United States Congress. The bill aimed to address concerns over national security and data privacy, stemming from TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company. Fast forward to today, and the bill

China AI

Quick Question Tuesday, Part 6: Is China Winning the AI Race?

Is China Winning the AI Race? As lawyers, we spend a lot of time fielding good, bad, weird, interesting, deep, superficial, and all types of other questions from people. We’re generally expected to be oracle-level wizards, a lot like people are treating AI now. In this series, we’ll share some of these questions that people

International fraud lawyers

What to Do If You Think You Are a Victim of Internet Fraud

The Pig-Butchering Scam, also known as Sha Zhu Pan (杀猪盘), Crypto Romance Scam, CryptoRom, or Hybrid Investment Romance Scam, is a deceptive and harmful scheme that preys on individuals on dating apps and social media. Scammers patiently build trust with their targets over weeks or even months, luring them into fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency,

China cybersecurity lawyer

The Chinese Government Has Your Data And There’s Not Much You Can Do

China’s Data Security Landscape This post addresses the options foreign companies have for operating in China and protecting their critical data. The assumption is usually that there must be a technical solution that allows foreign companies to protect their private technical data in China. The problem is technical, so there must be a technical solution.

China Artificial Intelligence Rules

China’s New AI Regulations

AI regulation in China has taken an important step with the release of the Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services (生成式人工智能服务管理暂行办法). Together with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Measures were issued on July 10, 2023, by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry

Web3 and blockchain

China (and Other Nations) May Be Winning the Blockchain Race Against the U.S.

I recently read a great article in Politico by Brandon Possin, a U.S. foreign service officer (and friend of my colleague Fred Rocafort) who is currently stationed at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo. Possin also has significant blockchain-related credentials. In U.S. Diplomat to Washington: You’re Becoming Obsolete in One Big Area of Tech Policy, he

Banning TikTok

TikTok for Tat

TikTok has been in the news a lot lately, especially since its CEO Shou Zi Chew’s contentious testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce. Americans are responding by asking different questions. Some, presumably including most of those who enjoy, and perhaps even create, TikTok content, ask, “Why are we whipping ourselves into

Crypto regulation

Crypto Trademarks and China

Crypto trademarks are a no-go in China. In line with the country’s prohibitions on cryptocurrencies, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) will not register trademarks that describe crypto goods and/or services. Brands in the crypto space must be mindful of this reality when crafting brand and intellectual property rights protection strategies for China. China

China and Web3

Dealing with the Web3 Crypto Winter: Winners and Losers

For the past many months, I have taken a few calls and meetings each week from web3 entrepreneurs and others involved in the blockchain industry, such as lawyers and accountants whose clients need special expertise. As a transactional attorney, I get a unique perspective on the blockchain industry because I am generally on the front

China and Web3

China’s Blockchain Developments and Opportunities

Blockchain technologies are inherently international, and China has had its share of news lately. I have spoken on China and web3 from both business and national security perspectives. These new technologies present challenges and opportunities both inside and outside China. This post focuses on the for-profit blockchain developments and opportunities in China.