Legal Implications of Wearable Technology

From Google Glass to smart watches and smart clothing, wearable technology has infiltrated the latest gadgets and trends. Although it has caught the attention of the fashion industry, it is still not at a point where design and technology meet to form an inherently appealing object to the most discerning of tastes. Nonetheless, it is merely a question of time before smart clothing, jewelry and accessories become the norm in our everyday lives.

The discussion as to the legal implications of wearables, both to the wearer and its entourage, is therefore of particular importance. Wearables implicate a host of privacy, labor, intellectual property and product liability issues. Such issues will be examined in this lecture.

Learning Objectives:

I.    Define what constitutes a wearable technology 

II.   Identify the main privacy objectives and determine best practices for businesses

III.  Explore the main employment and labor considerations 

IV.  Understand the different intellectual property considerations 

V.   Identify product liability considerations for consumers