In a recent development, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has ruled in favor of DocuSign Inc., a leading electronic signature solutions provider, invalidating three data security patents. The patents were held by an inventor who previously served as the expert witness for DocuSign but later filed a lawsuit against the company. The details…
An important legal development unfolded in Connecticut recently where a federal magistrate judge granted final approval for a class settlement. The settlement will provide $50,000 each to 129 individuals who maintained they were abused within a Catholic diocese now in bankruptcy. It was alleged that legal solutions company Epiq exposed their identities amid the diocese’s…
In an intriguing development in the United States legal landscape, the Supreme Court has decided to request Apple’s perspective on how the time limit for patent board challenges stands. The move represents a response to allegations by a biotechnology industry lobbying group, claiming that recent rulings have warped inter partes review into a tool for…
A recent decision in an Ohio federal court has seen a setback for a tattoo artist who attempted to combine two similar lawsuits against the maker of the famed NBA 2K video game series. The artist claimed that his copyrights were infringed upon, with specific reference to tattoos he had crafted on iconic basketball players,…
The ongoing investigation on the murder of a Florida law school professor made a significant revelation last week as the victim’s ex-wife testified in front of a state court jury. She vehemently denied any knowledge of an alleged scheme led by her brother to hire assailants to murder her ex-husband. Her statement was released in…
A California woman stands accused of misrepresentation and forgery in a federal lawsuit. In a perplexing twist, she has allegedly registered a corporation under the established moniker of a well-known real health insurance provider, ‘Blue Shield of California’. The woman not only used the name of this respected organization but also reportedly listed the actual…
In a not-so-distant future, businesses across the United States would grapple with a new federal law. Starting from January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (the “Act” or the “CTA”) will commence application. This enactment, according to some predictions, has the potential to affect about 32.6 million small and medium-sized companies in unregulated sectors during…
In an era of growing regulation and scrutiny, merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions are facing longer regulatory reviews and an uncertain outcome. This trend marks a significant diversion from just a decade ago, when there appears to be a clear path towards a more unified international convergence. Many in the corporate legal community have recognized…
On October 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released two interim final rules which serve to reinforce and expand controls on advanced semiconductors and related computing items, along with semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The first rule, titled the Advanced Semiconductors Rule, seeks to amplify control and monitor advanced semiconductors…
Florida’s Construction Lien Law, F.S. 713.001 et seq., is preparing to undergo significant amendments. Effective as of October 1, 2023, these revisions will impose several crucial changes about which contractors operating in the state ought to stay informed. The legislation has been comprehensively reviewed and revised by the legislative body in Florida. While the full…
On October 20, 2023, a fundamental shift in corporate governance occurred with the publication of a Reform Decree. It modified several provisions of the General Law on Commercial Entities The major change brought about by the decree is the authorisation for Shareholders’, Partners’ and Board of Directors’ meetings to be conducted remotely via electronic means….
Within the ever-evolving landscape of financial regulation, the United Kingdom has recently seen significant developments in its approach to asset management. Ashley Alder, chair of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), outlined these updates in a speech at the Investment Association’s Annual Dinner on 11 October 2023. The talk centered around the FCA’s discussion paper,…
On October 25, 2023, the American Shrimp Processors Association (hereinafter referred to as “the Petitioners”) lodged an antidumping duty petition concerning imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia, alongside a countervailing duty petition against the same product from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This information was disclosed by White & Case LLP. The…
For contractors operating in Florida, the recent amendment to the state’s Construction Lien Law (F.S. 713.001 et seq.) holds significance for their day-to-day operations. The changes went into effect on October 1, 2023, and they introduce some new complexities that contractors should be aware of. The changes were first highlighted in Issue 10 of The…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently voted in favor of new Rule 13f-2 and related Form SHO. As a result of this decision, certain institutional investment managers are now required to report short sale-related information to the SEC. The rules were devised to increase transparency and enhance market oversight, providing regulators a deeper…
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) has recently undergone amendments signed into effect by Governor Newsom, significantly extending its protections. Notably, these changes have profound implications for data types related to reproductive health and citizenship status. The alterations are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2024, according to reporting by Sheppard Mullin Richter &…
The appellate courts for the second and ninth circuits recently fortified the reasonable consumer standard, adding to the existing arsenal of defensive tools for corporations and law firms involved in food litigation cases. This series of decisions refines prior precedent, bolstering a court’s authority to properly dismiss cases where labeling claims would fail to plausibly…
In a recent development in Nevada’s legal landscape, a federal judge has compelled a Las Vegas-based business to cease the selling of a certain car-testing device. This temporary injunction arises from an ongoing patent dispute with a company known as Power Probe. The latter alleges that the device being sold infringes one of its patents,…
The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly pivoting its focus towards high-income taxpayers, corporations, and partnerships – a notable change in the agency’s audit priorities. This comes amidst growing concerns about tax evasion and abuse of tax rules within these segments. To address this, the IRS has formally announced a shift in its…
In a recent update from New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), it was announced that the deadline to submit applications for cannabis licensing has been given an extension. With this change, cannabis retail applicants who control eligible property can now submit their applications until November 17, 2023. Applications from all other candidates will be…
Industries related to hospitality and service, who were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, should remain vigilant due to the possibility of extended re-hire rights for their employees. Senate Bill 723, which recently passed, has extended these rights up to December 31, 2025, for employees in designated sectors who were laid-off because of the pandemic….
The lending and borrowing world witnessed significant changes in October 2023 which have prompted lenders and borrowers to focus more on deposit accounts. The recent downgrades issued to several banks by Moody’s and S&P in August this year, coupled with the banking turmoil experienced earlier in the same year, and a flurry of assignment activity…
Attention to all legal professionals, starting next year, California will bring into effect two new laws that will change how employers can respond to their workers’ off-duty cannabis use. These changes should be followed closely to ensure understanding and necessary adaptations are made in your company’s approach. The legislation reflects a cultural shift in how…
On October 27, the Federal Circuit rejected the request of Assa Abloy Global Solutions to prevent the transfer of its lawsuit over patent infringement allegations. The company is striving to establish that it does not infringe the patents of Liberty Access Technologies Licensing. The lawsuit was initially filed in Illinois but is now moving to…
Cracks emerging within the U.S. Supreme Court’s six-justice conservative supermajority are becoming increasingly apparent with the roll-in of a new term. Recent observations suggest a potentially tripartite (3-3-3) split among the justices, a phenomenon that seems to point towards nuanced differences within the conservative bloc, according to Law360. Despite the conservative branch’s fast reshaping of…