Last month, the FAA released an "interim final rule" that makes it illegal for anyone to fly a drone without first registering it with the government. That someone decided to sue the agency over it isn't surprising, because the regulation is controversial for a couple reasons. First, it was implemented on an "emergency" basis with no time for public comment, as is customary with most regulations. Second, the rule may violate the FAA Modernization Act of 2012, a law that notes "the administrator oft he Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft if . . . [the aircraft is] flown strictly for hobby or recreational use."

It is somewhat surprising, however, that the Academy of Model Aircraft, a large hobby group that has spoken out multiple times against the registration program, isn't behind this first lawsuit. Instead, John A. Taylor, an insurance attorney and drone pilot, filed the suit in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Christmas Eve. Taylor wrote in the suit that he's "pursuing this matter almost entirely in the public interest."