Legal Links – February 19, 2016

On Fridays, we compile and post Legal Links, a list of legal news, reported cases, community events and topics of interest to Lancaster residents and readers of the Lancaster Law Blog.

 1.  Drone Deadline. If you have an unmanned aircraft system (commonly known as a drone) that weighs between 0.55 lbs. and 55 lbs., today is the deadline to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration, which can be completed online for $5.00 here.

Penalties for failure to register include both civil and criminal penalties.

2.  RIP Harper Lee. Harper Lee, author of classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird, passed away today at the age of 89. The timeless story and characters of Scout and her father, Atticus Finch, have inspired generations of readers since its publication in 1960 and 1962 film adaptation.

Personally, one of my most prized possessions is a hardcover version of the book that I received as a gift upon graduation from college from my favorite professor and pre-law advisor, Dr. Michele DeMary.

3.  Apple Takes a Stand on Privacy vs. Security Debate. Apple Inc. has publicly refused to comply with a judge’s order to compel the company to assist the FBI in retrieving information from the phone of one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attack.

Here’s Apple CEO Tim Cook’s open letter to customers outlining the principles behind the Company’s decision, and a review of some of the legal and ethical issues arising out of this case courtesy of the Harvard Gazette: Apple bites back.

Please submit topics or community events for future Legal Links to cds@rkglaw.com.