The practice of serving legal papers has undergone a dramatic transformation since the days of 13th-century English barons serving them on horseback. In a recent novel development, a Texas district court granted Sony Music permission to serve legal papers via direct message (DM) on TikTok, Twitter and SoundCloud. This unprecedented move was made when Sony,…
The legal landscape of crypto regulations is an ever-evolving enigma. A crucial player in the dissemination of legal updates in this space is CryptoLink, a compendium of news stories published by various organizations. Although these stories are aggregated by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, the views expressed in the articles do not necessarily…
Over a year and a half ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated its intentions for new Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance, following the adoption of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (VIDA). This proposal generated much attention from diligent mariners who are keen to see how the introduction of new…
Speaking at the recent SOLID East conference, veteran legal tech executive Hal Brooks outlined a new era of innovation and consolidation within the global legal services sector. Drawing upon decades of experience, Brooks highlighted several transformative changes that are redefining this sector in unprecedented ways. This lucid perspective on the shifting landscape can be found…
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) have issued a detailed report in August 2023 entitled: State Microgrid Policy, Programmatic, and Regulatory Framework. This document provides extensive information on state policies, programmes and regulatory framework focusing particularly on Microgrid. Microgrids, smaller-scale versions of the standard…
Client Relationship Management (CRM) software has proved to be a powerful tool for large law firms, greatly contributing to their business performance and firm revenues. Leveraging vital intelligence computed from relationship data, such applications support law firms in making improved business decisions, while facilitating the enhancement of client relationships. CRM software is much more than…
In a development that underscores the steady tightening of regulatory scrutiny, on September 11, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission has announced settlements with nine registered investment advisers over alleged violations of the Investment Advisers Act’s new marketing rule (Rule 206(4)-1). The cornerstone of the conflict, as per the SEC’s allegations, is the incorrect handling…
Recent legal developments have seen an accelerated integration of Japan’s Guidelines on Business & Human Rights in the corporate sector, with employers swiftly embedding these principles into their operations. These moves signify a growing trend across the globe, triggered by the unveiling of a myriad of national and supranational business and human rights laws over…
In a move aimed at grappling with the issues of affordable housing, the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, is expected to hold a public hearing. This meeting will fall on September 26, 2023, and its central topic will be the adoption of Affordable Housing Preservation Administrative Guidelines. As reported by JD Supra, this…
In an important development in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and pharmaceutical industry, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced its entry into the fray. The agency has released a draft reflection paper on the use of AI and ML throughout the medicinal product life cycle, according to a recent statement…
On July 28, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 2023, which mandated sweeping reforms to its generator interconnection agreements and procedures. Specifically, these changes are designed to alleviate the substantial backlog of both generation and storage projects that are currently pending in interconnection queues across the country. These changes come at…
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published draft guidance on biometric recognition for public consultation on August 18, 2023. This Draft Guidance aims at shedding light on the application of data protection laws when organisations employ biometric recognition systems. Read more here. Titled “Getting to Know Who,” the draft guidance explores the complexities related…
The mobile device tap-to-pay market is the latest subject of study for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), flagging a potential precursor to new regulation, as the bureau focuses on the practices of smartphone companies and their influence on consumers’ utilization of this technology. A concrete focus of the study, published on September 7, 2023,…
In an era where cryptocurrency and blockchain-led endeavors continue to shape facets of finance, recent developments have again caught the world’s attention. Major companies are adopting new crypto-centric initiatives, there has been a noticeable shift in regulation, and financial standards boards are adapting to this new landscape with redefined accounting standards. These headlines are testament…
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory governmental agency known for its focus on the technological aspects of a diverse range of products and services—primarily non-financial—has recently released its final report, titled “Understanding Stablecoin Technology and Related Security Considerations“. The report, which was first drafted and made public in October 2022, was…
In an unprecedented move, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) has recently announced its intent to create a new, risk-focused Novel Activities Supervision Program (NASP) as a step towards strengthening their supervision over regulated banks involved with crypto-assets and blockchain technology. The program will also scrutinize the complex, technologically advanced relationships between these regulated banks and…
The Supreme Court of Ohio dismissed two challenges to the state’s congressional maps on Thursday, maintaining the use of maps that had previously been criticized as unconstitutional. The petitions, which contended the maps were unfairly partisan, had been submitted earlier that week. The court granted one dismissal in Neiman v. LaRose, and another dismissal in…
Recent developments have raised a significant concern for the legal profession and what it might mean moving forward. According to an article titled “A Big Red Flag” penned by Olga V. Mack, some crucial points of reflection are brought to the fore. Olga V. Mack is a renowned figure in the legal world, holding dual…
The European Commission has recently approved the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) geared towards the transfer of data from the EU to the United States. In this respect, the privacy, cyber, and data strategy team of international law firm Alston & Bird has been discussing what companies need to consider when choosing between using the…
As a stalwart in the tech industry, Microsoft has embarked on a strategy to tackle copyright-infringement risks to foster the adoption of its generative AI tool. The company pledged last Thursday to guard its commercial customers against infringement lawsuits. In addition, the tech giant has assured its clientele that it will shoulder any ensuing costs…
In the present era predominantly guided by technological advancements, the legal sector is no exception. Legal professionals across the globe are constantly questioning the impact and involvement of artificial intelligence (AI) in their day-to-day practices. A considerable shift has been observed towards a world guided by ChatGPT, a language prediction model often used to build…
As we navigate through the final quarter of the year, we would like to draw attention to a pressing matter concerning companies listed on the NYSE/Nasdaq stock exchanges. The approaching deadline for the implementation of a so-called “Clawback Policy” is one that should not be overlooked. This requirement, made necessary by the Securities and Exchange…
Virtualization software company, VMware, has recently released a security update to patch a vulnerability in its VMware Tools product. According to the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this vulnerability could potentially be exploited by a cyber threat actor to obtain sensitive information. VMware is a renowned provider of multi-cloud services, products, and solutions, with VMware…
On August 23, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reached a final decision on a new rule that considerably amends the compliance obligations for private fund advisers, including those who have traditionally been less strictly regulated. Details on the recent rule changes can be found here. All private fund advisers are now subject to…
In a bid to encourage the widespread adoption of its new Copilot AI software, technology behemoth Microsoft has assured its commercial users that it will shoulder any potential legal expenses if they face accusations of copyright infringement pertaining to the use of the software or its generated outputs. This commitment came to light through statements…