why a french attorney is on a digital privacy crusade against tech titans

Who is Google's privacy lawyer?

In the U.S., Google consents to such requests only in the rarest circumstances, typically requiring a court order. Google's top privacy lawyer, Peter Fleischer, is based in Paris. The company sent him there to counter the movement Shefet helped build.

What was the name of the lawyer who wrote employment contracts?

In 2013, Shefet had a plain-vanilla legal practice. He wrote employment contracts and analyzed intellectual property claims. That all changed, he says, when a client's vengeful enemy took to the Internet and created websites that attacked Shefet — claiming he was a member of the Serbian mafia.

What is the Shefet movement?

Shefet is part of a much larger movement in Europe pushing back against the power of the tech titans under the banner of the "right to be forgotten.". Shefet is part of a much larger movement in Europe pushing back against the power of the tech titans under the banner of the "right to be forgotten.".

What is the right to be forgotten law?

Its directive asserts that people have a right to privacy, even on the Internet, and that search engines like Google must determine whether an individual's privacy right outweighs the public's right to know even correct information. And so, the "right to be forgotten" law for the Internet was born.

How old is Dan Shefet?

He's not a young math geek who builds driverless cars, nor does he promise to make a tech product for the masses. His crusade is different. The 63-year-old year old Shefet has staged an astonishingly effective campaign in Europe to thwart the torrent of fake news and damaging personal attacks ...

What is the statue of Alexander the Great?

A bronze bust of Alexander the Great is set beside another gift, a statue of the Indian god Krishna, which he received when he traveled to Delhi — back when he was just beginning his global anti-Google crusade. These days, Shefet is also reading a lot of paperbacks that lie strewn about his office.

Why is Shefet sad?

For many years they had no contact, which made Shefet sad because, he says, his father was a vast ocean of knowledge, a repository of obscure facts and insightful answers.

What is European law?

European Law (Directives, Regulations and case law) are of growing importance not only to the business environment in the EU, but also to private affairs.#N#We follow European developments closely and advice our clients not only on the application of current law, but also of new initiatives taken by the different European institutions likely to affect our clients’ activities.#N#It is critical to follow these developments closely and constantly keep abreast of new restrictions or opportunities offered by the dynamic environment of European Law.#N#Our services include interfacing with the Commission and trying cases before the European Court of Justice on cases involving member state violations as well as infringements by corporate entities under competition law, consumer law, state and SME-subsidization and e-commerce law just to mention areas of typical concern to the business community.

What is intellectual property law?

Intellectual Property Law is an area of growing importance and the borderline between protected works and unprotected is increasingly blurred, especially on the internet.#N#We deal with these matters on a regular basis acting for rights holders (the music and entertainment industry, writers, journalists, artists and the software industry). Practical solutions are often found.#N#Sometimes take-down decisions are required.

Why is competition law important?

European Competition Law is becoming increasingly important to everyday business.#N#It covers different abuses of companies in a dominant position and other forms of restrictions of competition (barriers to entry, cartels, refusal to deliver and predatory pricing just to mention a few examples).#N#Remedy must often be sought with help from the European Commission (ultimately the European Court of Justice). Local competition authorities may also provide a solution.#N#Competition Law is fundamental to the European Union and the principles developed by competition law are reflected in other areas of European Law including SME-law and free flow of goods.#N#Our team has extensive experience in these matters and shall be glad to help you secure optimal Competition Law Protection.

Who is Cabinet Shefet?

Good legal advice is the result of a collaborative effort. Cabinet Shefet was created in 1989 by Dan Shefet, French lawyer born in Denmark. From the outset, the firm has focused on international law including European law. The main areas of activity cover Intellectual Property Law, IT Law and Competition Law.

Who is Geoffrey Morson?

Geoffrey Morson has joined our team as a consultant on American law. Indeed, the increasing challenges of transatlantic business and IT must necessarily take into account American law, both at the Federal and State level.#N#Geoffrey will assist us in providing comprehensive advice to our clients, allowing to meet those challenges. Geoffrey holds a degree in law from Harvard Law School (Juris Doctor 1969) and has extensive experience regarding intellectual property law, tax law and commercial litigation and arbitration. He is admitted to the bar in California and New York and practices before all US federal courts nationwide, as well as US federal government agencies such as the US Copyright Office, The US Patent & Trademark Office, The Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Commerce.