Legal
Explore the legal aspects of drone technology. Stay informed on regulations, laws, and legal cases involving drones.
Drone Surveillance Nets $300,000 Fine For California Homeowner Who Says He “Wasn’t Even Home”
A California homeowner faces a staggering $300,000 fine after a city drone recorded illegal fireworks at his property on July 4th—even though he insists he wasn’t there. The case, part of a nearly $1 million drone enforcement crackdown in Stanton,…
American Drone Hobby Faces Accessibility Crisis as Bans, Regulations, and Market Forces Converge
The United States drone hobby is under severe pressure from multiple directions simultaneously, threatening to transform the most accessible entry point into aviation into an increasingly expensive and restricted pursuit. While Canadian and European enthusiasts enjoy flourishing drone communities with…
Wisconsin Proposes Law Letting Police Shoot Down Drones Despite Federal Ban
Wisconsin lawmakers are circulating legislation that would authorize police to shoot down drones they deem threats to public safety—a move that directly contradicts federal law making it a felony to destroy any aircraft, including drones. The bill, coauthored by Rep.…
From Film Casting To Billion-Dollar Defense: Ukraine’s Fire Point Faces Corruption Probe As Drone Industry Matures
Three years ago, Fire Point was scouting locations for Ukrainian film productions. Today, it’s a $1 billion defense contractor producing long-range strike drones and cruise missiles that are pounding Russian infrastructure. But the company’s meteoric rise has triggered a corruption…
Chula Vista Ordered to Pay $500K in Legal Fees After Losing Landmark Police Drone Transparency Case
A San Diego judge has ordered the City of Chula Vista to pay over $500,000 in legal fees after losing a groundbreaking four-year legal battle over public access to police drone videos, delivering a costly lesson in transparency that could…
Illegal Drone Flights Surge in Yosemite as Government Shutdown Cripples Ranger Enforcement
Illegal drone activity is spiking across U.S. national parks as the federal government shutdown enters its 23rd day, with tour guides in Yosemite reporting multiple daily sightings compared to their normal rate of about one drone per week. The enforcement…
Wrap Technologies Launches First Drone System That Can Physically Restrain Suspects
Wrap Technologies has unveiled what it claims is the first commercially available non-lethal drone interdiction system in the United States. The DFR-X payload system, branded as the MERLIN-Interdictor, mounts the company’s BolaWrap tether technology onto drones—transforming passive observation platforms into…
Beyond Obstacle Avoidance: What First Responders Must Know About Drone Operations Over People
Public safety agencies nationwide are rapidly adopting drones for crowd monitoring, emergency response, and situational awareness. These platforms provide valuable real-time intelligence that can improve officer safety and operational effectiveness. However, as drone operations over people become routine, agencies must…
Toronto Police Charge Seven Drone Pilots During Blue Jays Playoffs, Including Micro-Drone Operators
Toronto police charged seven people for illegally flying drones over Rogers Centre during American League Championship Series games on October 12-13, using specialized detection technology to intercept the unauthorized flights. The Toronto Police Emergency Management and Public Order Unit laid…
SkyTrade Promises Drone Air Rights Income — But the Legal Foundation Is Shaky
A blockchain startup is offering property owners the chance to monetize low-altitude airspace for drone operations. Legal experts say the underlying property rights don’t exist under current law. SkyTrade, a Delaware-based startup, is building what it calls the world’s first…
Texas DPS Deploys Nation’s First Helicopter-Mounted Drone Detection System
The Texas Department of Public Safety has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to deploy helicopter-mounted drone detection technology, marking a significant shift in how agencies protect their aircraft from unauthorized drones during high-risk operations. The…
YouTuber Builds $120 Military-Grade Recon Drone That Streams to Tactical Software Used by U.S. Forces
A popular tech YouTuber has reverse-engineered a $40,000 military-grade reconnaissance drone for just $120.07 using open-source hardware and off-the-shelf components. The DIY system successfully streams live FPV video directly into ATAK—the same tactical mapping software used by the U.S. military—proving…