First UAV Law Course in the World

PHOENIX - March 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Unmanned Vehicle University is teaching the first ever UAV Laws, Regualtions and Intellectual Property Course. Many states have passed laws and it will be essential for those operating in the NAS to know the law to stay out of trouble. The course includes an interview with Brenden Schulman who fought the fist FAA fine of $10,000 and had the fine overturned by a federal judge. The course is open to the general public and starts on March 31. Web conferences are used to teach live every week. You can register by calling 602-759-7372 or admissions@uxvuniversity.com.

Course Description: This course will survey the rapidly evolving field of the law governing the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS”) in the national airspace (“NAS”). The course will proceed based on six “modules” addressing various aspects of the new field of UAS Law. These modules are: (1) Emerging FAA Regulatory Framework; (2) Government Use of UAS and the Fourth Amendment – State Regulation of Government and Commercial UAS; (3) Tort Liability for UAS Operations; (4) Emerging Frameworks for UAS and Privacy; and (5) Overview of Intellectual Property Issues for the UAS Industry. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have a working knowledge of the legal issues relevant to the UAS industry.

Objectives: The principal objective of this course is to sensitize students to legal issues that may be encountered in their careers through operating UAS in the NAS. The emergent field of commercial and civil UAS offers a novel set of challenges to our legal system that are only now beginning to be grappled with. At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to recognize legal issues and potential solutions that may arise out of model fact scenarios. The legal issues the student should be able to recognize include the following:

1. FAA Regulatory Authority and the limits thereof

a. What the regulations are at the moment.

b. FAA progress with drafting final regulations.

c. FAA enforcement action and the gray area into which UAS technology falls.

2. The limits of private “ownership” of airspace and the basic framework for a “takings” claim against a government entity.

3. How the Fourth Amendment and the case law that has arisen around privacy rights impacts the civil and commercial use of UAS technology.

4. How federal and state courts are likely to react to the privacy issues raised by widespread use of UAS technology.

How state regulation of UAS technology has impacted, and will continue to

impact, the civil and commercial UAS industry.

6. The potential sources of tort liability for UAS operations, both in the case of

injury to persons or property and in the case of invasion of privacy.

7. The limits of “privacy” related arguments in light of the First Amendment

protection of free speech and newsgathering activities.

8. The scope of federal preemption of state regulation of UAS technology.

9. Intellectual Property issues that may arise in the course of the developing UAS industry.

Instructor

Attorney Steven M. Hogan is an attorney with Ausley McMullen, P.A., in Tallahassee, Florida. Mr. Hogan’s work with the Unmanned Aircraft System (“UAS”) community is focused on helping the industry create a regulatory environment conducive to the growth of a vigorous commercial market for UAS technology. Mr. Hogan’s UAS law practice has focused on assisting industry groups with government relations. Additional information about Mr. Hogan’s work with the UAS industry can be found at www.dronelawyers.com and www.floridadronelaw.com. Mr.Hogan received his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee, Florida.

Unmanned Vehicle University (UVU) is the only University in the world licensed to grant Doctorate and Masters Degrees in Unmanned (Air, Ground, Sea and Space) Systems Engineering and a Certificate in UAS Project Management as a totally online curriculum. The University’s primary focus area is on Unmanned Air, Ground, Sea and Space Systems education and training. Most of the faculty at the school have PhDs in engineering and combined experience of over 500 years. The schools UAV instructor pilots have combined experience of over 60,000 hours in Predator, Reaper, Global Hawk, Hermes, Heron, Aerostar and many small UAVs. UVU is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Centrally located on the NE corner of Central Ave & Washington St in Phoenix and close to many civic, cultural and sporting venues. Attractions and destinations within walking distance of UVU are: US Airways Center, Chase Field, Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona Science Center, The Herberger Theatre, Symphony Hall, Phoenix City Hall, Arizona State University, Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix Municipal Court, Arizona Biomedical Collaborative and University of Arizona College of Medicine