Drones are no longer just toys for enthusiasts. In fact, it's the exact opposite – they're becoming critical part of company operationsThat's what this year's DroneCon was all about.

Last week I was at DroneCon watched how quickly this field is moving. Today, we no longer worry about whether a drone can fly a few kilometers. We deal with infrastructure monitoring, strict asset protection and, increasingly, the deployment of anti-drone systems..

From a lawyer's perspective, I see one fundamental problem: Technology is advancing, but legal and operational guidelines are lagging behind.

Without clear regulation and accountability, this entire progress is on very thin ice. In practice, the business owner will not only be interested in whether the drone works, but also:

• Who is legally responsible for it? responsibilitywhen damage occurs?
• Where exactly does the right to protect property end and where does it begin? infringement of third party rights?
• How to operate safely anti-drone systemswithout getting into trouble with the law?

This is particularly sensitive for anti-drones. Intervening against a foreign device may be technologically effective, but legally it can be a minefield. In our office, we see the same pattern over and over again: Companies invest millions in technology, but they only start addressing the legal framework when trouble occurs.And that is often too late and expensive.

I was also pleased to meet our protégé at the event. Lukas ParizekThanks to him, I was able to discuss the details with the people who actually create this field and open the door to several interesting collaborations.

Recommendation

My recommendation? If you are deploying drones, don't just focus on the technical parameters of the machines. You want to see clearly defined responsibilities and legal limits of operationIt's only a matter of time before someone opens these questions - and at that moment you need to have the answers ready. 

Do you need legal advice regarding drones or air law in general? We will go through all legal issues with you and recommend what needs to be resolved. Contact us!

JUDr. Ing. Jan Vych, attorney and partner