The US Supreme Court is set to deliberate on the legality of generic prohibitions in pollutant discharge permits as outlined under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The case, City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, hinges on whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to enforce vague, narrative limitations in…
Regulation 2024/791, known as the MiFIR Review, was published on 8 March 2024 and introduces transparency requirements for single-name credit default swaps (CDSs). These rules apply only if the CDSs reference global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) or an index of such banks. While the revised rules aim to bring more transparency to this market segment,…
The California federal judge overseeing claims that Meta blacklists certain adult performers has scrutinized the social media giant’s policy of maintaining a “living document” for its list of dangerous organizations and individuals. This practice, which involves constant updates without archival procedures, was criticized by the judge as potentially destructive to evidence and described as a…
The Second Circuit has prevented Economic Alchemy LLC from reviving its trademark claims against the Federal Reserve and others over the use of the term “Now-Casting.” The decision underscores the challenges faced by companies in asserting trademark rights over terms that may be considered descriptive or generic. For further details on the case and its…
Verizon is contesting a move by patent litigation firm VoIP-Pal.com to persuade U.S. District Judge Alan Albright to delay the advancement of the Texas federal lawsuit to a jury trial. The dispute centers on VoIP-Pal’s request for a $5 billion damages do-over. The telecom company is pushing back against this bid, aiming to avoid postponement…
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has further invalidated portions of a data transmission patent owned by Sisvel International SA on remand from the Federal Circuit. Despite this, one of the patent claims remains valid. The specifics of the PTAB’s decision, including which claims were invalidated and the rationale behind the decision, are essential…
On Monday, the Criminal Court in Thailand sentenced activist musician Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan to four years in prison for actions that were ruled as insulting to the monarchy and for violating the Computer Crimes Act. The charges relate to an incident in 2021, during which Chai-amorn admitted to burning a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn publicly….
In a significant shift within the legal industry, more law firms have either relocated or renewed their office leases in the first quarter of 2024 than during the same period over the last four years. This continues a post-pandemic trend that began late last year, as firms reassess their space needs and operating models. According…
A petition aimed at encouraging the U.S. Supreme Court to address a double-patenting dispute has gained the backing of a trade group of New York patent attorneys. This development underscores the significance of resolving complex patent law issues that could affect various stakeholders. For further details, you can read the original article on Law360.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday labeled the proposed nationwide strikes on budget day as “illegal.” The proposed strikes, which are being organized by Indigenous Māori and their allies, aim to bring attention to Indigenous rights and are encouraged by the opposition party Te Pāti Māori. In response, Luxon stated that such actions…
Seven additional Canadian educational institutions have joined the escalating legal battle against major social media companies, including Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat. The new litigations comprise two private religious schools, three Catholic schools, and one public school board, all situated in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province. Collectively, these institutions are seeking CA$2.6 billion (US$1.9 billion) in…
South Africa is taking significant strides towards a liberalized electricity market with the introduction of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill. This legislative reform aims to modernize the country’s electricity supply industry, potentially creating an uptick in legal work for firms handling regulatory compliance, corporate restructuring, and new market entries. The bill is expected to address…
Justice Samuel Alito’s impartiality has come under scrutiny again following revelations about the décor in his home, which some view as endorsing pro-insurrection sentiments. However, Alito remains steadfast in his insistence that these personal choices do not compromise his judicial objectivity. For further context, additional details shed light on why Alito has managed to maintain…
The evolving legal landscape is encouraging changes in traditional approaches, including the bar exam. Most recently, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced enhancements to the test in the form of the “NextGen Bar Exam,” set to launch in 2028. This modernized version intends to better align with the skills new lawyers need, focusing…
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has enacted a new legislative measure designed to curb the misuse of artificial intelligence in the realm of political advertising. The newly signed bill targets the potentially harmful practice of creating AI-generated deepfakes, which could be used to influence or manipulate public opinion through misleading or false political messaging. This proactive…
Stanford’s recent study evaluating the efficacy of generative AI-powered legal research tools has encountered criticism from the legal industry, primarily due to perceived flaws in its methodology. Yet, a more pressing concern may lie in the opaque nature of many legal tech providers. The lack of detailed benchmarks and transparency about how these tools function…
DLA Piper has expanded its presence in Chile by recruiting a new three-person compliance team. This strategic hiring move follows the implementation of a 2023 law that broadens the scope of sanctions for white-collar crimes in the country. The new hires are expected to bolster DLA Piper’s capabilities in navigating the more stringent regulatory environment….
Legal News In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its presence in Utah’s burgeoning tech hub, Kirkland Group has announced its decision to pivot to Wilson Sonsini. This relocation aligns with Kirkland’s efforts to build a more robust brand identity in the ‘Silicon Slope,’ a region experiencing vibrant economic expansion and tech industry success. “For…
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has indicated plans to file a new indictment against Harvey Weinstein ahead of his retrial. This move comes in response to a recent 4-3 ruling by the state high court that overturned Weinstein’s previous conviction. Prosecutors are actively preparing for the new trial, aiming to address the legal shortcomings identified…
Philadelphia-founded firms are embracing Boston as a growth opportunity, with Am Law 100 stalwarts Blank Rome and Cozen O’Connor both announcing attorney hires aimed at bolstering their presences in the region. Leaders of both firms are enthusiastic about the opportunities the city presents across a range of practices. Cozen O’Connor has brought on Eckert Seamans…
On Tuesday, a federal judge refused to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) lawsuit against Amazon, which claims the company enrolled consumers into its Prime service without their consent and made it challenging for them to cancel their subscriptions. In its defense, Amazon argued that its Prime enrollment process did not violate federal laws, asserting…
A Texas jurist, Travis County 459th District Court Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel, denied motions for sanctions brought by opposing counsel in the Elon Musk defamation lawsuit. The legal team representing Musk, including Alex Spiro and Cory D. Struble from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, was granted admission for pro hac vice, allowing them to participate…
Google is urging the Federal Circuit to dismiss Sonos’ assertion that a California federal court endangered countless patents by overturning a jury’s $32.5 million infringement verdict in favor of Sonos. Google’s contention is that Sonos delayed disclosing certain audio features and hence should not qualify for patent protection for those features. For more details, visit…
On Monday, Amazon failed to persuade a US district court to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit alleging that the company misled consumers into signing up for its Prime service. The FTC accuses Amazon of employing deceptive tactics to enlist users and complicating the cancellation process to retain them. The lawsuit asserts that Amazon’s Prime…
Michelle Genet Bernstein has joined Polsinelli as a shareholder in the firm’s commercial litigation practice in Miami, according to the firm’s announcement Wednesday. Bernstein’s practice areas include complex financial products litigation, contractual disputes, commercial real estate, joint venture, and partnership disputes. She is the fourth shareholder Polsinelli has added in Miami this year, reflecting the…