P. Zach Colangelo

Papers

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About

P. Zach Colangelo is a legal scholar whose work explores the intersection of emerging technology, property law, and self-defense. His primary research areas include robotics law, drone regulation, and the legal implications of autonomous systems. Colangelo’s most notable contribution, “Self-Defense Against Robots and Drones” (2015), has garnered 12 citations and remains a foundational piece in the field. In this work, he provocatively examines whether a landowner may legally shoot down a trespassing drone or hold an autonomous car as security for damages, addressing pressing questions about privacy, property rights, and the boundaries of self-defense in an age of intelligent machines. His analysis extends to the fear that drones might be operated by paparazzi or voyeurs, blending legal theory with real-world ethical dilemmas. Colangelo’s work is essential reading for students and researchers grappling with how traditional legal frameworks adapt to disruptive technologies. By framing these issues through the lens of self-defense, he challenges readers to reconsider the rights and responsibilities of individuals facing perceived threats from robots and drones.