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Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal

Smita Gautam

Abstract

Although social media has become a staple of modern life and a regular part of business, the legal definition of social media remains undefined. State legislatures have remained silent on the topic, but as business and individual account holders find themselves seeking bankruptcy relief, it becomes clear that treatment under the Bankruptcy Code depends on definitions that do not yet exist. The question of how social media should be characterized leaves bankruptcy courts uncertain as to whether social media accounts should be included in the bankruptcy estate. While social media encompasses aspects of property, intellectual property, and other rights, this Comment argues that social media does not fit solely into any of these categories. Instead, this Comment argues for the classification of a social media account as more similar to a personal privilege than a traditional property right. This Comment concludes that state legislatures should legally define social media to foster predictability of its role in bankruptcy proceedings.

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