Amid a hard-fought $200 million trade secret theft lawsuit, Alcoa, the aluminum titan, has directed its legal efforts to waive off the counterclaims issued by the opponent, Universal Alloy Corp. The counterclaims made by Universal Alloy, suggesting Alcoa’s actions as a sham litigation, have been considered by the latter as frivolous and baseless. This legal…
In the realm of legal decisions and court cases of major corporations, the past week has seen a plethora of significant rulings. From consumer misrepresentation cases to broader issues of labeling instructions, decision-makers across geographies are navigating through intricate jurisprudence. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the prime legal pronouncements. One of the key…
The recent enforcement action against two affiliated wealth management firms has triggered surprising concerns among large corporations and prestigious law firms worldwide. This apprehension stems from the ambiguity of whether and how other registered investment advisers may face sanctions for issues that emerge in the regular operation of their businesses, as revealed by JD Supra….
In a notable development in motor-vehicle law, the appeal court decision in the case of Kerns v. Hale, 2023 WL 2820467, No. 21-CA-3970 set a new precedent in Ohio. The court held that the alleged violation of the Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA) statute was a separate cause of action, in and of itself. However,…
In a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Axonics Inc. v. Medtronic Inc., the court has clarified the ability for inter partes review (IPR) petitioners to respond to new claim constructions proposed after an IPR is instituted. The court’s decision primarily focused on vacating a previous ruling from…
In a recent legal development, a county court ruled in favor of ISO Diagnostic Testing Inc., the plaintiff, in opposing United Automobile Ins. Co., the defendant, regarding the latter’s use of Budget Neutrality Adjustor while calculating reimbursement. Our understanding of the matter is based on a JDSupra report, as well as other resources available on…
In a recent development from the sunshine state, Florida’s First District Court of Appeal has offered the legal community further insight into the alterations surrounding Florida’s summary judgment rule. This clarity came to light within the context of Whitlow v. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc., (So. 3d, Case No. 1D21-3413) decided on August 16, 2023. For…
Legal professionals involved with labor regulations may need to review their practices after a recent modification to the independent contractor analysis. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a decision on June 16, 2023, that reinstates an Obama-era standard used to define whether a worker operates as an employee or an independent contractor under the…
In a recent ruling, a District Court found that a plaintiff’s claim of negligent hiring, retention, training, and supervision against ridesharing company Uber failed as a matter of law, due to shortcomings in the plaintiff’s pleadings. According to the court, the plaintiff failed to provide specific factual allegations indicating that Uber had prior notice of…
In a noteworthy decision, a Michigan federal judge opted not to interpose in a contentious fee dispute involving three former law associates, two of whom have accused their erstwhile partner of defrauding them of considerable sums of money. The funds in dispute trace back to the infamous Flint water crisis litigation, raising the stakes significantly….
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), on August 25, 2023, issued the IRS Notice 2023-62, providing crucial relief for employers struggling to comply with a major provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, colloquially known as SECURE 2.0. This relief comes at a pivotal time, given the impending December 31, 2023 deadline, when certain requirements…
The takeover of Black Knight Inc. by Intercontinental Exchange Inc. is set to proceed following clearance from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A binding settlement has been accepted which requires key mortgage software products owned by Black Knight to be sold to rival company, Constellation Software Inc. This outcome was arrived at after the…
In the ever-changing technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key player, infusing virtually every facet of human life. From enabling simpler task management through smart assistants to empowering critical business decisions with advanced data analytics, AI has undeniably altered the topography of countless industries around the globe. Nonetheless, this transformation has also…
Recent litigation patterns indicate that plaintiffs are employing the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), an antiquated statute, in a modern context to contest pixel technology utilization across various websites offering online video content. First enacted in 1988, the VPPA was initially designed to safegaurd the video viewing histories of customers utilizing physical video rental services….
The California Supreme Court has instructed the state bar to revise its proposed amendments to the conflicts of interest code for board trustees. The court has expressed that the proposed changes do not meet the statutory requirements for disclosure and prevention. The court’s directive to alter these amendments is the most recent development in the…
The intricate relationship between valuation, the dollar value agreed upon for a target firm and dilution, the link between an investor’s predicted fully diluted equity stake in the target organization after an investment and that investor’s real fully diluted equity stake, is a vital aspect of venture capital and growth equity investment deals. This relationship…
Gaston College, a significant educational institution, has notified approximately 191,000 individuals regarding a data breach that took place in February 2023. After discovering that an unauthorized party had accessed confidential information stored on Gaston College’s IT network, the college filed a notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Maine on August 25, 2023….
In a recent development that suggests increasing buy-in into sustainability efforts, climate-tech firm Aeroseal managed to secure $67 million in its Series B funding round. Given the magnitude of challenges associated with climate change, this investment marks a significant stride in reaffirming the substantial role that private enterprises can play in reducing carbon emissions. Mintz…
The United Nations Human Rights Office revealed in a recent report that organized crime groups in Southeast Asia have coerced hundreds of thousands of individuals into participating in online criminal activity. This involves executing fraudulent investment strategies and aiding illegal gambling operations. The exact scale of internet-based fraud in Southeast Asia remains challenging to quantify,…
In a recent judicial development, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has validated the Patent Trial & Appeal Board’s (PTAB) decision to invalidate two patents, signifying essential repercussions in the world of patent law. The ruling imparts that no disparagement does not amount to a “teaching away”, and free samples cannot testify…
When it comes to managing relations with new clients and keeping legal procedures efficient, one tool that stands out is automating the Master Services Agreement (MSA) process. This strategy can significantly help your legal team in avoiding the so-called “roadblock reputation” A recent write-up from Mitratech Holdings, Inc highlights the importance of instituting automated processes…
In a coordinated effort, two Spanish and two U.S. law firms have paved the way for a deal set to reshape the way FC Barcelona’s content is consumed. The deal involves the merger of Barcelona Football Club’s content creation operation and its future listing on the U.S market. The publicly traded Special Purpose Acquisition Company…
In a recent ruling by the Utah Court of Appeals, the power and influence of integration clauses have been reinforced substantially. This judicial decision, as explored in this in-depth analysis, is particularly relevant for legal professionals involved in construction law and associated contracts, but its implications hold for many other sectors as well. During disputes…
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has implemented significant changes to the 8(a) Program, as reported by JDSupra. These alterations, instigated by a court injunction, come in the wake of findings that deemed the rebuttable presumption for social disadvantage unconstitutional. Owing to the injunction – issued by a federal district court in Tennessee – all pending…
In a move likely to be of significant interest to corporate legal professionals, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new regulations governing private fund advisers on August 23, 2023. The news, reported by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, indicates that the divisive decision forms part of the SEC’s ongoing commitment to investor protection,…