Question
Please help me put the following information into the type of format in the attached picture. Thanks so much!Imagine the following scenario: You are the
Please help me put the following information into the type of format in the attached picture. Thanks so much!Imagine the following scenario: You are the President of a MI company that has developed a new technology designed to remove certain CO2 emissions from the air and lessen the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The technology is patent pending and heavily guarded by your employees. If the technology is successful, it will be worth millions.One day at the office, you are startled by the sound of several gun shots and quickly discover that your security guard has shot down a drone that he had first discovered on the grounds in a concealed spot and then saw flying around your building. After a few weeks of your own investigation as well as that conducted by the police, you understand that the drone had been used around your office on multiple occasions and had been fitted with an unsecured wi-fi hotspot that was accidentally used by your employees which allowed for the unwitting disclosure of sensitive data for days on end. The drone operator has used that proprietary information to launch a competing product line which has caused your company to suffer great financial loss.You think back to your Business Law class and wonder: 1. Has a trespass has occurred? Since the drone hadn't just landed, but had continuously hovered around your company's property - is that considered a trespass as well or are drones free to use the airspace as they wish? (In order to properly analyze this question, you will need to conduct online research to learn which entity regulates drone use).Yes, a trespass has occurred. Under the law trespassing is entering another persons property without consent or permission. Here, there is an issue of privacy encroached by the trespasser through the drone. Drones have cameras which allow the operator to see where it is going. Furthermore, the company did not give its consent to the operator to lawfully fly the drone within its premises. Therefore, the trespasser may have access on a myriad of data with which he/she was not given consent to. To address these concerns, states and local governments have taken a number of steps, which include enacting criminal trespassing and invasion of privacy laws directed at drone use. Even if a state doesn't have drone-specific laws, their general trespassing and privacy laws may apply. 2. Is there any other cause of action in tort that can be brought against the drone operator? Another cause of action that can be brought against the operator is the invasion of privacy. Under the law, invasion of privacy happens when there is an unlawful intrusion of one's private affairs, disclose of information, publicizing in a false light, or appropriation of another's name for personal gain. Here, invasion of privacy may be appreciated since the the illegal flight of the drone within the premises of the company resulted in an intrusion of the company's private affairs as well as the illicit acquisition of information which proceeded in a significant loss for the company. Thus, invasion of privacy may be brought against the operator of the drone.3. The security guard, who carries his firearm legally, caused total destruction of the drone when it was shot down, does the drone operator have a cause of action against your company for trespass to personal property?Yes, the drone operator may have a cause of action against the company for trespass to personal property. Federal law makes it a crime to shoot down an aircraft, and drones technically qualify as an aircraft. Here, the company could be charged with state crimes, including reckless discharge of a firearm, disorderly conduct, or disturbing the peace. They may also be held liable for intentional destruction of property. Moreover, claiming defense of property, due to the trespassing, would likely fail as shooting at a drone isn't a reasonable and proportional response since the drone wasn't armed when it intruded into the property. Hence, the drone operator may have a cause of action against the company.
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