As the legal industry continues to navigate a complex landscape, Law360 remains a critical resource for legal professionals aiming to stay informed about key developments and influential firms. Last week was no exception, as some of the top stories and analyses resonated strongly among readers. Legal professionals are increasingly turning to Law360’s platform for its…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) continues to refine its approach to patent disputes under the leadership of Director John Squires. In a recent development, Squires has decided to institute seven reviews under the America Invents Act (AIA), while denying twelve other petitions. This decision marks a significant phase in the director’s tenure as…
In a recent legal maneuver, a group of bestselling authors has petitioned a California federal judge to amend their copyright infringement complaint against Meta Platforms. The plaintiffs are seeking to introduce a contributory infringement claim, citing Meta’s alleged utilization of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks to obtain copyrighted materials for training its artificial intelligence systems. This development…
The Washington State Supreme Court has recently made a significant decision affecting aspiring lawyers in the region. As the state prepares to adopt a new bar examination, the court has retroactively lowered the minimum passing score for the current exam. This adjustment is expected to impact over a hundred law school graduates, granting them eligibility…
In a move aimed at broadening access to educational and literary resources, federal lawmakers have introduced a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives that would grant federal employees the authorization to utilize works produced by civilian members of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. This legislative proposal seeks to amend current copyright…
The White House has issued an executive order entitled “Protecting American Investors from Foreign-Owned and Politically-Motivated Proxy Advisors,” aiming to clamp down on the influence of such advisory firms. This move represents a continuation of efforts to monitor and potentially regulate proxy advisers, which have been at the center of extensive debate over their role…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently dropped a lawsuit against PepsiCo accusing the company of providing exclusive price advantages to Walmart while simultaneously working to inflate costs for the retail giant’s competitors. This development followed the commission’s shift in leadership, as the newly Republican-controlled FTC decided to cease pursuing the case. Details of the allegations…
In a notable development in copyright litigation, a federal judge in California has denied an animation artist’s request for a retrial after losing his copyright claim against Disney. The artist contended that the 2016 Disney film “Moana” had unlawfully borrowed elements from his own Polynesian adventure narrative. Despite the artist’s efforts to secure another chance…
In an influential decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has expanded the application of prosecution disclaimers, providing new insights into restriction practice. This ruling, detailed in a Law360 report, extends the doctrine to include examiner-defined species, which are distinct inventions within a single patent application. The ruling could have implications for…
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has initiated legal action to halt President Donald Trump’s construction of a $300 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom on the White House grounds. The lawsuit, filed on December 12, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, contends that the project commenced without the necessary environmental reviews, public…
In a recent development, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a $1.2 million fine on Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. for failing to adequately disclose conflicts of interest in its municipal bond offerings. This action is part of the SEC’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and protect investors in the municipal securities market….
In a significant development for employment law, Goldstein’s successful motion to dismiss allegations of fraudulent employment practices marks a notable victory for the firm. The litigation involved accusations that were deemed unfounded, and the court’s decision to dismiss the case underscores key aspects of evidentiary standards in employment cases. The allegations leveled against Goldstein, characterized…
Paramount Global’s financial landscape is shifting as it finds itself at the heart of takeover speculation, driven by its substantial $54 billion debt. This figure has prompted interest from Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighting the weight financial liabilities can have in corporate maneuvers. The discussion around Paramount’s debt comes at a pivotal moment for the company,…
The conclusion of the current term of the U.S. Supreme Court has left importers in a state of uncertainty, as the much-anticipated ruling on trade tariffs remains pending. With the Court adjourning for the year, businesses are still waiting for clarity on tariff relief which could significantly impact their operations. The current judicial standstill extends…
A United Nations Special Rapporteur has called on the United Kingdom to lead international efforts in condemning the Myanmar military junta’s impending election, criticizing it as a potential “sham.” In a report released recently, Tom Andrews emphasized the need for a united global front, particularly engaging countries in Asia, to challenge the credibility and legitimacy…
The First Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a former engineer from Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) on charges related to trade secret misappropriation. The ruling reaffirms that the details outlined in an indictment do not restrict the scope of evidence, crucially allowing a guilty verdict based on possession of schematic designs for…
An intriguing legal battle is unfolding in the Eleventh Circuit, where a competitive cheerleading governing body is striving to defend its trademark rights. During recent oral arguments, it became evident that two judges expressed more confidence in the organization’s ability to protect the name “The Cheerleading Worlds” compared to the term “Worlds.” This distinction in…
Every few months, the proposal to impose term limits on U.S. Supreme Court justices surfaces in Washington’s legal and political discourse. Most recently, Rep. Hank Johnson reintroduced the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act, aiming to bring systemic change to the highest court. The idea of term limits for Supreme Court justices carries…
The debate over imposing term limits on U.S. Supreme Court justices periodically resurfaces in Washington’s political discourse. Recently, Rep. Hank Johnson reintroduced the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act, a measure aimed at limiting the duration of Supreme Court appointments. The proposal suggests an 18-year term limit, after which justices could serve in…
The recently released report by Human Rights Watch brings to light a disturbing pattern of abuse inflicted upon Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces. This report, which uncovers systematic torture practices, is based on in-depth interviews with 12 former Ukrainian POWs who endured severe beatings, mock executions, electric shocks, and dog attacks. The…
In a recent development, the intricate dynamics of Anthropic’s substantial $1.5 billion copyright settlement have resurfaced in the courtroom. The settlement, which addresses claims from authors regarding copyright infringements by the AI entity, faced an intriguing twist when a Canadian publisher sought preferential terms. According to Law360, the federal judge presiding over the matter firmly…
The United Nations recently highlighted a decade-long trajectory of alleged human rights violations by Venezuela’s security forces, particularly targeting the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB). The UN-appointed investigators reported systematic abuses, including killings, arbitrary detentions, torture, and sexual violence against protesters and political opponents of President Nicolás Maduro. These troubling patterns have persisted since 2014, corresponding…
A recent legal battle in the California gubernatorial race has highlighted the complex intersection of trademark law and political speech. A federal judge in California has dismissed a trademark complaint filed by Stephen Cloobeck, a businessman and candidate in the upcoming election. Cloobeck’s suit aimed to prevent his opponent, Antonio Villaraigosa, from describing himself as…
In a significant legal maneuver, Reddit has initiated a challenge against Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) law, as reported by JURIST. This legislation, which imposes a ban on social media access for under-16s, is being contested in the country’s High Court merely days after Reddit implemented age restrictions on its platform. The SMMA law,…
In a significant move, Pierson Ferdinand, a seasoned litigator, has been appointed as Atlanta’s new City Attorney. This appointment fills a crucial role within the city’s administrative framework, one pivotal for shaping legal strategies and ensuring compliance with local and federal laws. With a robust background in complex litigation and a keen understanding of municipal…