Six interesting technology law issues raised in the Facebook IPO

The securities laws require that companies going public identify risk factors that could adversely affect the company’s stock. Facebook’s S-1 filing identified almost 40 such factors. A number of these risks are examples of technology law issues that almost any internet company would face, particularly companies whose product is the users: 1) Advertising regulation, 2) Data security, 3) Changing laws in user privacy, rights of publicity, data protection, intellectual property, electronic contracts, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, taxation, and online payment services. 4) Intellectual property protection, 5) Patent troll lawsuits, and 6) Tort liability for user-generated content.