In an unprecedented surge in patent applications in 2022, a striking 46.8% originated from China. This insight was revealed in a recently released report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). As stated by WIPO, this marked the highest ever number of patent applications documented in a single year, highlighting not just a global rise,…
In Miami this week, a United States Federal Judge has granted a publisher’s request to drop a contentious counterclaim against the widow of a renowned Mad Magazine cartoonist. The widow, who has been representing herself in court, was locked in a legal battle following the Eleventh Circuit’s refusal to provide an opinion on her case….
Newmont Corp., the world’s foremost gold producer, is moving ahead with a plan to generate $2 billion in cash. The scheme involves selling mines and divesting projects, following the completion of its largest acquisition in the mining industry so far this year, as per a Bloomberg Law report. The Denver-based corporation finalized its approximately $15…
As the global legal landscape grows ever more complex due to rapid technological advancements and new regulations, legal professionals must stay informed about these changes. A recent series of legislative and regulatory developments regarding telehealth is a perfect example. This post will examine some of the highlights for the week of October 24-31, 2023. The…
In a recent decision by The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), all challenged claims in a point-of-sale (PoS) patent owned by CloudofChange LLC have been declared unpatentable. This patent is involved in a lawsuit, set for a jury trial in Texas, which is slated to commence in the early part of next year. The…
In a landmark judgment, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit put a restraint on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s enforcement agenda by limiting its capacity to seek disgorgement under 15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(5) and (7). As the stipulation in the Securities & Exchange Commission v. Govil, No. 22-1658, 2023 WL…
In a move that underscores the high-stakes nature of trade secret lawsuits, the Ninth Circuit on Monday directed a lower court to reinstate a jury verdict awarding approximately $17 million to a collection of jointly operated businesses. These entities serve as a hub, linking moving companies with individuals who require their services. The Ninth Circuit’s…
In a bid to address the ongoing opioid crisis, a research unit from the University of North Carolina has set its sights on assessing the impact of the state’s drug court system. The primary focus of this study will be to observe potential avenues for the expansion of the system, with an overall objective to…
On October 31, 2023, the US District Court for the District of Colorado handed down a ruling involving the application of the codified economic substance doctrine in Liberty Global, Inc. v. United States. The court’s judgment, delivered summarily, determined that Liberty Global, Inc. (LGI) should acknowledge a taxable gain of approximately $2.4 billion. The tangled…
For business enterprises based in Maine, a new rule by the Maine Retirement Savings Board may soon have considerable implications. As of October 18, 2023, the Board has adopted a final rule, enforcing Maine’s state-operated retirement savings program known as the Maine Retirement Investment Trust or MERIT. Purposefully designed to aid employees who are without…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the year 2024, impacting the benefit and contribution limits applicable to retirement plans. According to the announcement, these adjustments see a modest increase in these limits for 2024, which may have several implications for corporate and law firm employees. The key change lies in…
In a recent notable shift in regulatory approach, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved an amendment to the Safeguards Rule. This amendment requires non-banking institutions to report certain data breaches and other security events to the agency. Such a move highlights the increasing focus on securing sensitive consumer data in the financial intent sector….
In recent developments within the United States Congress, prominent figures from the House Ways & Means and House Energy & Commerce committees, along with the Senate Finance Ranking Member, have collectively raised their voices against a significant healthcare policy. Based on a report by JD Supra, the said members have called for the withdrawal of…
In a recent legal development, Massachusetts has augmented the protections surrounding the counseling records of sexual assault survivors. This change, heralded by a ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, impacts how both domestic and foreign courts can access such sensitive records. In the case In the Matter of a Motion to Compel, SJC-13336, the…
Environmental justice – the meaningful and fair involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies, regulations, and laws – has become a key consideration in the corporate world. While many companies have traditionally focused on complying with environmental laws, there is a growing emphasis on also contributing towards environmental justice…
Staying abreast of changes in pension law is crucial for companies and legal professionals working in the sector. Here is your roundup of some of the key developments this week. This weekly update stems from the dedicated team at Allen & Overy, who report on legal and regulatory shifts in the world of workplace pensions….
Recent regulatory changes are set to shake up the hair care industry as formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair smoothing and straightening products are heading towards being banned. The Biden administration, in its Spring 2023 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, has announced its plans for this potential regulatory shift available on JDSupra. It…
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether a federal statute, forbidding those under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms, violates the Second Amendment. In a recent paper published in the Notre Dame Law Review, two former clerks to conservative justices have argued that the court’s recently adopted historical analog test doesn’t necessitate…
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), responsible for ensuring that companies with federal contracts comply with equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, had a noteworthy week in November 2023. Here is a review of key highlights for legal professionals advising some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms. One of the standout developments…
The Texas legislature recently made significant modifications to the state’s insurance laws, adopting House Bill 1900 which adjusts the notice requirements for non-renewal and policy changes in the Texas Insurance Code Section 551.105. This move is anticipated to have a considerable impact on how law firms, corporations, and government agencies handle their insurance policies in…
In the face of anti-ESG rhetoric and actions by numerous red state lawmakers and attorneys general, investment managers and corporations have decreased their active promotion of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. However, the importance of these practices has not dwindled in the business arena. Despite considerable opposition, ESG practices remain a fixture within the…
The realm of Dutch Public M&A has seen significant trends and forthcoming opportunities in 2023. Current conditions in this arena may prove challenging, yet key areas paint a promising picture. The focus primarily lies on strategic buyers and take-privates of small to mid-cap companies. One perspective radiating opportunity is the proactive uptake by strategic buyers….
Recent legislative developments in California, one of the world’s major hubs for business and commerce, underline the state’s continuing commitment to labor rights. California has passed two new bills – Senate Bill 699 and Assembly Bill 1076 – which amount to a significant enhancement of the state’s non-competition law. These new items of legislation, set…
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has once again proposed a new fiduciary rule (the “Proposal”) on October 31, 2023. If put into law, this Proposal could significantly change the face of ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), specifically in the area of “investment advice fiduciary”. The Proposal…
In an intriguing turn of events, it seems that the U.S. Supreme Court appears incline toward accepting the argument put forth by a man from Pennsylvania. The man asserts that, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the term “person” should also encompass a government agency in the context of liability. While this viewpoint appeared to…