Recently, the EU General Court (GC) made the final call on a highly significant antitrust case involving game publishers and geo-blocking strategies. On September 27, 2023, the GC rejected an appeal by Valve Corporation, affirming a January 2021 decision made by the European Commission (Commission). The Commission’s original ruling found that Valve Corporation, along with…
Last month saw the enactment of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a significant new federal law designed to fight money laundering, tax fraud, and other illicit activities. This law is expected to have a significant impact on a broad range of business entities, requiring them to report information regarding their “beneficial owners” to the Treasury…
Since taking office in 2021, the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, has been known for his quest to pioneer “a new form of capitalism”. A significant part of his vision is rooted in the creation and implementation of a “national strategy” aimed at the expansion of Japan’s digital economy in the age of Web…
The landscape of Privacy and Cybersecurity is undeniably dynamic. In just one month, there have been numerous developments and rulings that are affecting the sector. Legal professionals operating in the data privacy and cybersecurity sphere need to stay abreast of these developments. In the month of September alone, several significant events have taken place. Delaware…
In a recent episode of Illumination Zone, Monica Harris, esteemed Product Manager for EDRM Trusted Partner, Cellebrite Enterprise Solutions, joined hosts Kaylee and Mary to discuss a range of topics within the legal technology sphere. Interestingly, the conversation appears to have revolved around several key topics, with one major highlight being the discussion on the…
Recent developments reveal that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a Consumer Protection Circular known as “Adverse Action Notification Requirements and the Proper Use of the CFPB’s Sample Forms Provided in Regulation B” on September 19, 2023, according to a report from Morrison & Foerster LLP. The new guidance pertains to lenders’ obligations…
In an ever-more connected world where data is frequently regarded as one of the most lucrative assets a company can possess, the significance of data privacy and security is becoming increasingly crucial. This is particularly true in the context of human resource departments worldwide as they commonly manage vast amount of personal data about employees….
As the number of commercial launch assets in space continues to escalate, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). This NPRM seeks public commentary on the development of new rules pertaining to the disposal of these assets. The proposed changes draw attention to the increasing concern regarding the…
The autonomous vehicle industry continues to be a dynamic field of legal exploration, where technological innovation constantly pushes and redefines limits. Encapsulating this state of fluidity and change, the Autonomous Vehicles Symposium 2023: Resilient Disruption is slated to offer a deep dive into the challenges and strategies pertinent to bringing disruptive technology to market. Hosted…
Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) has been a pivotal concern in the corporate world. Of late, its implications and roles have been the subjects of intense politicization. Critics have voiced concerns that ESG-centric initiatives might hamper economic growth and corporate profitability, potentially leading to a drop in competitiveness and job availability. However, the flip side…
From Q1-Q3 of 2023, the U.S. loan market underwent notable changes, marked by distinct deal patterns and uneven market activity (Paul Hastings LLP). For much of the period, the majority of deals were portfolio work. This included a mix of amend-and-extend transactions and notable covenant relief amendments. Moreover, LIBOR transition amendments became increasingly prevalent, signaling…
In an era where digital communication is taking precedence, perhaps it is somewhat surprising that a recent United States Tax Court memorandum decision has hinged on the now seemingly old-fashioned concept of “snail mail.” The decision in question, impacting the world of tax law, serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and stipulations relating…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently presented a proposal for new “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace.” This forthcoming guidance is particularly notable for its provision of detailed elucidations of the standards for harassment and employer liability under a variety of enforced laws. These laws include the Age Discrimination in Employment Act…
In the fiercely competitive political arena of the 2023 elections, maintaining compliance with pay-to-play regulations remains a pressing concern for corporations seeking or currently holding state and local government contracts. As the elections are just over a month away, these businesses have hopefully been diligently educating their directors, officers, and other personnel about the significance…
As of January 1, 2025, a significant amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act will come into effect, stipulating that employers with a team of 15 or more must report pay brackets in their job postings within the state. According to a recent report by Gould & Ratner LLP, the obligation was signed into law…
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, FBI Director Christopher Wray has made a public appeal for cooperation in fighting the escalating menace of cyber attacks. This insistence came to light in his recent appearance at Mandiant’s annual mWISE 2023 conference, as reported in CIODive. Wray is calling on the public and private sectors to reconsider…
In an encouraging development for patent applicants, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the extension of the After Final Consideration Pilot Program 2.0 (AFCP 2.0) until September 30, 2024. The decision has been taken to aid applicants by providing patent examiners with additional time to consider responses after a final office action…
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has announced the commencement date for the registration period of the 2025 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery. As the department outlines, the registration period is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT),…
In a noteworthy development in patent law, Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (“Current Lighting”), and Walmart Inc., have received favorable rulings from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”). On September 15, 2023, the PTAB handed down these two final decisions regarding a patent dispute involving Power Concepts, LLC. These decisions represent a victory for Brooks…
In the continuing fallout from the Siegel case, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to take a fresh look at a topic of immense pertinence to the legal and corporate world alike. The court is set to review the United States Trustee’s appeal from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision that the Office…
In recent developments, the fervently discussed initiative to rejuvenate downtown San Francisco through the transformation of vacant office buildings into residential spaces is beginning to gain traction. Eight proprietors of office establishments have reacted to the city’s “request for information” initiative, indicating they are considering converting their properties into apartments or condominiums. Designed to target…
Last week, a healthcare-focused market research firm, Trilliant Health, unveiled a crucial report highlighting the key economic trends influencing stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare industry this year. The report spotlighted several key themes including the declining physical and mental health of Americans, the shift away from conventional care pathways, and a growing patient-driven consumerist approach…
In a dynamic follow-up to the first day’s reflection of the Delaware Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s 2023 Bench and Bar Conference, we delve further into the lessons learned in the second part of the conference. The conference, which returned after an unprecedented pause due to worldwide events since May 2018, has been a…
California’s legislative body recently passed an aggressive bill, mandating nearly every employer in the state to adhere to a workplace violence prevention standard, initially tailored for healthcare employers. This initiative compelled employers to enhance their strategies for violence prevention in the workplace, with an amplified focus on safety and security. Originally, the bill, known as…
The legal landscape has undergone significant upheaval since the advent of technology, with few aspects being more transformed than discovery. Dubbed eDiscovery, this digital shift transitioned law firms and corporations from rifling through bankers’ boxes to scanning through hard drives. According to an analysis by specialists in eDiscovery at the Association of Certified E-Discovery, this…