Translating The Law for Software Engineers

Mar 24, 2025

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Software is hard to build. From knowing which regulations apply to us to understanding what's in our software, there's a lot to learn. On top of that, regulation is coming for all of us. In this episode, Luis Villa joins Kris, Ian, and Angelica, to discuss the laws and regulations that will change the way that you build and deploy software. We discuss the EU's Cyber Resilience Act, the difficulty in interpreting the law and staying within its bounds, how these new laws differ from what we're used to, artificial intelligence, and so much more.

Supporters get access to an extended conversation with Luis, where we discuss AI, the Deno vs Oracle lawsuit, writing personal code on employer devices, and more! You can get access by signing up at https://fallthrough.fm/subscribe.

Thanks for tuning in and happy listening!

Notes:

Table of Contents:

Prologue (1:11)
- Panel introductions (1:24)
- Introducing Luis Villa (2:32)
Chapter 1: What's even in our software? (5:58)
- What is the Cyber Resilience Act? (9:31)
- Why software engineers need to care (12:06)
- Ambiguity begets flexibility (15:57)
- Law is eventually consistent (19:29)
- The rooms where law is made (21:14)
- Open source has power (23:51)
- The reach of regulation (28:25)
- Thinking on the global scale (36:17)
- Silicon Union: Rebuilding Silicon Valley in Europe (41:25)
- Challenges in regulating open source (43:47)
- Regulations aren't our adversaries (46:47)
- What's even in this (software) stuff? (51:24)
- Regulations Sticks vs Monetary Carrots (55:41)
Chapter 2: AI & Legal Knowledge Graphs (1:06:07)
- The law lacks a linter (1:10:16)
Chapter 3: Open Source & Business Licenses (1:16:08)
Epilogue (1:33:42)

Hosts

Kris Brandow - Host
Ian Wester-Lopshire - Host
Angelica Hill - Producer
Luis Villa - Guest

Socials:

(01:11) - Prologue
(05:58) - Chapter 1: What's even in our software?
(01:06:07) - Chapter 2: AI & Legal Knowledge Graphs
(01:16:08) - Chapter 3: Open Source & Business Licenses
(01:33:42) - Epilogue