The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a series of proposals for the use and regulation of drones (i.e., Unmanned Aircrafy Systems (UAS)) for commercial purposes.  In conjuction with these proposals, the White House released a memorandum that attempts to ensure the privacy of data obtained by drones.  Note that it may take 2-3 years for these proposals to become final and they may face strong opposition from the civil rights community and also from commercial airline pilots, among other groups.  Much of the discussion thus far has been on whether Amazon will be able to deliver packages via drones.

Yet, manufacturers and distributors should keep track of drones as things develop for several reasons:

  1. Diversification Into New Markets:  If drones are able to be used widely in the commercial realm, the growth of the drone manufacturing industry may explode.  If that occurs, component part manufacturers (particularly, those in aerospace markets) may benefit.  As many of our clients look for ways to diversify, these developments are worth watching.
  2. Impact on Distribution:  The use of drone technology could have a significant impact on the delivery of goods as exemplified in Amazon’s interest in the subject.  In addition, there has been discussion about the use of drones within a warehouse.
  3. Surveillance:  There have been a number of news stories over the last several years that have claimed that companies should be concerned about government agencies and other third parties who may use drone technology to “spy” on private property.  We will continue to monitor the legal developments in this area, but needless to say, manufacturers and distributors should be aware that it is possible that drones could be used in ways that can be adverse to a company’s interests.
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Photo of Jeffrey White Jeffrey White

I am a partner at Robinson+Cole who handles corporate compliance and litigation matters for both domestic and international manufacturers and distributors that make and ship products around the world. My clients have ranged from publicly traded Fortune 500 companies to privately held and/or…

I am a partner at Robinson+Cole who handles corporate compliance and litigation matters for both domestic and international manufacturers and distributors that make and ship products around the world. My clients have ranged from publicly traded Fortune 500 companies to privately held and/or family owned manufacturers. For those looking for my detailed law firm bio, click here.

I am often asked why I have focused a large part of my law practice on counseling manufacturers and distributors. As with most things in life, the answer to that question is tied back to experiences I had well before I became a lawyer. My grandfather spent over 30 years working at a steel mill (Detroit Steel Company), including several years in its maintenance department. One of my grandfather’s prime job duties was to make sure that the equipment being used was safe. In his later years, he would apply those lessons learned in every project we did together as he passed on to me his great respect and pride for the manufacturing industry.

Because of these experiences, I not only feel comfortable advising executives in a boardroom, but also can easily transition to the factory floor. My experience has involved a range of industries, including aerospace and defense, chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, nutritional and dietary supplements, and retail and consumer products. While I have extensive experience in litigation (including product liability and class actions), I am extremely proactive about trying to keep my clients out of the courtroom if at all possible. Specifically, I have counseled manufacturers and distributors on issues such as product labeling and warranties, product recalls, workplace safety/OSHA, anti-trust, and vendor relations, among other things. I always look for the business-friendly solution to a problem that may face a manufacturer or distributor and I hope this blog will help advance those efforts.