In a recent decision with potential implications for employee benefit plans across the United States, the Supreme Court unanimously held in Cunningham v. Cornell University that plaintiffs alleging a prohibited transaction under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s (ERISA) Section 406(a) bear no burden to demonstrate that the transaction does not fall within an exemption…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has signaled a determined approach towards enforcing the False Claims Act (FCA), focusing primarily on customs-related violations. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston expressed the DOJ’s intention to intensify scrutiny over “illegal foreign trade practices” against the backdrop of the recent tariff policies. With a rise in FCA cases…
The United States Supreme Court recently engaged in oral arguments concerning a critical case that pits fuel industry groups against California’s stringent vehicle emission standards. This legal battle centers around the state’s Advanced Clean Cars Program, an initiative that dates back to 2012. The program mandates both a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in conventional…
The reshaping of law enforcement priorities under the Trump administration is offering both opportunities and challenges for defense attorneys specializing in white-collar crimes. The new administration’s focus has notably shifted away from stringent enforcement of foreign bribery and cryptocurrency regulations, which is prompting a strategic response from the defense bar. Legal professionals are viewing these…
Pittsburgh-based law firm K&L Gates has strengthened its energy, infrastructure, and resources practice in Australia by appointing Matthew Osborne, a partner from White & Case. Osborne, who was a part of White & Case’s Southeast Asia project development and finance group and also served as the head of their Philippines country group, will now join…
In a notable development, Toyo Tire Corp., the renowned Japanese tire manufacturer, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss any appeal of a Federal Circuit decision. This ruling had annulled a $10 million compensation tied to a lengthy legal battle spanning more than ten years. The core of this dispute centers around allegations that…
Harvard University has formally requested a federal judge expedite proceedings regarding its legal confrontation with funding cuts amounting to over $2 billion, imposed during the Trump administration. The institution has framed its plea for a swift resolution as essential, citing the substantial financial implications these cuts could have on its operational and academic capabilities. This…
The State Bar of California has introduced a modern twist to its examination methods by employing artificial intelligence to create some of the multiple-choice questions on the February exam. This technological adoption was met with surprise and some concern from the legal education sector, as a law school assistant dean expressed shock at the revelation….
Charter Communications, a prominent player in the cable TV industry, has taken steps to ensure that a Texas federal judge maintains the current defense verdict in response to a significant lawsuit involving Touchstream Technologies. The $1 billion suit revolves around patents concerning the technology for casting and playing back video content from smaller devices to…
The Federal Circuit has opted not to immediately grant relief to Texas-based patent attorneys from Ramey LLP, who are currently under sanctions they describe as “career ending.” These sanctions arise from allegations that the attorneys practiced without proper licenses in California, among other infractions. The decision leaves the penalties in effect for the time being,…
In a notable reversal, the Federal Circuit has overturned the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) decision to invalidate a Qualcomm patent following a challenge by Apple. The court found fault with PTAB’s reliance on Qualcomm’s own admissions regarding prior technology as the basis for its decision. This development marks a significant win for Qualcomm…
Japan’s Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners, an Osaka-based law firm recognized for its substantial headcount, is establishing a foothold in Indonesia. This move comes through an alliance with MAPS Law Firm, a Jakarta-based operation. The collaboration will materialize as Oh-Ebashi sets up a dedicated desk in the Indonesian capital in July, as per the firm’s statement….
In a significant legal ruling, a Florida federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Tristar Products against a lawyer from Pryor Cashman LLP and his client, Telebrands. The case centered on allegations that the defendants engaged in a scheme to usurp a company’s patent rights and fraudulently influence the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office….
Disney has filed a motion for sanctions amounting to $532,815 against the attorneys of an animator who claimed that the movie “Moana” misappropriated his Polynesian adventure story. The entertainment giant is contesting the integrity of the plaintiff’s legal proceedings by stating that the animator’s lawyers engaged in “sanctionable misconduct.” According to Disney, the allegations were…
Curaleaf, a prominent player in the cannabis industry, has initiated legal proceedings against a former executive in a Florida federal court. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, contends that the ex-vice president violated her employment agreement by allegedly sharing confidential company information upon her transition to a competitor, Jushi. The case raises significant issues around non-compete…
In a recent decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a New Jersey federal judge’s ruling concerning intellectual property disputes in the pharmaceutical industry. The court confirmed that Rubicon Research’s generic formulation of the drug Ozobax does not cause healthcare providers or patients to infringe upon a patent held by…
In a recent hearing, two federal judges in Washington D.C. voiced skepticism regarding the rationale behind the Trump administration’s executive orders aimed at WilmerHale and Perkins Coie LLP. The judges questioned the justification provided by federal officials, with one likening the nature of the orders to the Red Scare, a period known for heightened political…
In a notable development in intellectual property litigation, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has granted video game developer Valve another opportunity to challenge the validity of a competitor’s game controller patent. Valve is contesting claims related to this patent, which has been central to ongoing litigation in a Washington federal…
Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek has successfully convinced the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to review a microchip patent, originally granted to Intel engineers, which is now subject to an infringement lawsuit pursued by a patent-holding entity in Marshall, Texas. The patent’s examination by PTAB highlights the ongoing complexities in the tech industry’s intellectual property disputes,…
In a recent legal development, two attorneys representing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell have been ordered by a federal judge in Colorado to clarify their use of artificial intelligence in a legal brief. The judge raised questions about the brief as it contained numerous misquotes, improperly cited cases, and fabricated citations. This inquiry into the conduct…
Legal tensions escalate as a U.S. pool parts supplier seeks the arrest of the CEO of a rival Chinese company. The demand comes after protracted efforts to enforce a $17 million judgment for false advertising and deceptive business practices. Despite court orders, the rival firm has not provided necessary information about its assets, further complicating…
In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit upheld a district court’s ruling that denied an inventor’s attempt to overturn a finding that his patent on website hot spots was invalid. The inventor had accused major companies, including Meta and Microsoft, of patent infringement. Central to the appeal was the argument that the inventor did not…
In a recent legal development, a federal judge in West Virginia has lifted a permanent injunction that had been preventing Biocon Biologics Inc. from selling its biosimilar product of Regeneron’s eye medication, Eylea, within the United States. This decision follows a settlement agreement reached in the ongoing patent litigation, which now permits the sales of…
The Boeing Company’s annual virtual meeting this Thursday is poised to be an important event as the company grapples with ongoing safety issues while negotiating federal charges under a deferred prosecution agreement. Concurrently, the meeting will address two shareholder resolutions concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) matters, revealing contrasting perspectives among stakeholders. For more information,…
In a notable development, a bill that seeks to protect individuals’ rights over their voices and images in the realm of artificial intelligence has cleared the Texas Senate, making its way to the state’s House of Representatives. If enacted, this legislation would prevent the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness or voice in AI technologies…