How does Technology Affect the Law, How does the Law Affect Technology Research Paper

How does Technology Affect the Law, How does the Law Affect Technology - Research Paper Example They have become a staple need in our daily lives and even provide entertainment for a boring day at work. Cell phones, as handy as they may be, can cause distractions which provide the opportunity to end the carrier’s life and even those around them. On July 1st, 2008, California State passed a law banning the use of wireless phones while operating a motorized vehicle. In the United States, cell phones cause about 2,600 deaths and 330,000 mobile phone related injuries per year ( livescience.com. 2005). With the new law in effect, it will help prevent the use of mobile phones while driving and hopefully cause less deaths and injuries. On the conservationist front, the Californian government is proposing to ban the usage and sales of large screen television sets. In a report by wired.com, by January 1, 2011, California’s television size limit will reduce to 0.156* Screen Area (sq. in.) + 80 and 0.12* Screen Area (sq. in.) + 25 in 2013. This stand is to help reduce energy consumption and promote energy conservation in California and will reduce energy costs by 49%. Other electrical appliances to have been regulated by the government include air conditioners, and even refrigerators. Facebook, a popular website used by millions world-wide, has caused even the Canadian government to change its plans. On December 7th, 2007, an internet law professor, Micheal Geist created a group in Facebook informing Canadians of their government’s plans of a copy write reformation. BBC news ( 2007) reported that in just two weeks over 30,000 members had joined the group. In fact, many members contacted the Canadian government on the issue. The Canadian Industry Minister, Jim Prentice, decided to delay the reformation. This was proof to many organizations that technological mediums cannot be ignored. With ever-changing technologies, the law may be too slow to keep it in check. Although decades of law enforcement for technology