Space is the new playground for the latest technologies. Exciting. But what does that mean for the law? Here goes. While space law has traditionally focused only on regulating space activities, with the increase in 4IR space technologies (SpaceTech), space law has expanded to include regulating these technologies in outer space.
Specifically, SpaceTech has advanced rapidly over the last few decades. SpaceTech includes advanced satellites, space cloud computing, space internet, space drones, and space AI. And while SpaceTech seems ‘out there’, it’s pretty real. Let me draw your attention to a few examples:
- Consider Elon Musk’s Starlink: a SpaceTech project that’s in the process of providing space internet to the world.
- Companies are developing cloud-computing infrastructures that they will house in Outer Space.
- In the next 7 years, NASA intends to launch two sophisticated space drones into Outer Space. Further, certain countries are manufacturing space drones for military applications.
However, the reality is that SpaceTech can also harm us significantly. For instance, hackers can unlawfully access our personal data on SpaceTech devices and use it for identity fraud.
It’s within the context of preventing harm where we step in: we help the world’s most innovative organisations lawfully navigate their SpaceTech projects. Our clients rely on us for practical and empowering advice to manage SpaceTech’s legal risks. The goal is SpaceTech we can trust.
Services—how we can help you
GRC
Strengthen your organisation’s SpaceTech governance, risk, and compliance.Get SpaceTech GRC right by consulting with our specialists or attending our public or private workshops.
Big Data
Collect and acquire big data lawfully to train SpaceTech.We can help with your big data agreements where you share, process, or transfer big data into space.
Contracts
Drafting, workshopping, negotiating, and executing.We can meet all your SpaceTech contract needs: NDAs, DPAs, development, licence, and SaaS agreements.
Incidents
Incident planning, response, and recovery.We draft and customise incident policies, plans, and procedures and advise you on minimising information security risk.
Our space law programme
While SpaceTech has existed in one form or another for some time, its recent ubiquity has raised new legal issues. Most organisations and lawyers may not have needed to consider these issues in the past. In particular, SpaceTech has disrupted:
- commercial contracts;
- privacy, data protection, and information security;
- consumer protection (product liability);
- employment;
- jurisdiction; and
- intellectual property.
Our space law programme provides resources to help you identify SpaceTech’s legal issues and risks and effectively produce SpaceTech humans can trust.
Why choose Michalsons for your SpaceTech projects?
- Save money by reducing your legal budget and spend. We have lower rates than the big firms. We offer alternative fee arrangements (including fixed fees). We have limits on disbursements and offer quick pay discounts.
- Save time by receiving the right space law advice from a qualified professional. Easy access to a team of experienced and expert attorneys who focus on the law relating to technology. Avoid protracted negotiations.
- Receive high-quality work.
- Quick responses – get legal services within agreed time frames.
- Avoid legal problems, difficulties, and disputes by managing your legal risks.
- Get punchy, practical, jargon-free, and actionable help that relates to your specific circumstances – we serve our clients as though we were advising our close friends or family