Paul Hastings LLP has strengthened its California litigation team by hiring a prominent trio of litigators from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. The team, consisting of Michael Scarborough, Tamany Veller, and John Brooks, brings significant expertise in antitrust, intellectual property, and complex commercial litigation, enhancing Paul Hastings’ capabilities in those areas. Their move underscores…
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the constitutionality of a long-standing federal ban on home distilleries, specifically scrutinizing an 1868 law that not only taxes distilled spirits but also prohibits their at-home production. This decision follows a petition brought by the Hobby Distillers Association, alongside individual plaintiffs, who contest the ban’s infringement on their…
Puma is currently engaged in a legal dispute with an activewear company called Sprints over trademark issues. The latter has sought judgment from an Ohio federal court to affirm that its feline logo and the “Sprints” name do not infringe on Puma’s trademark. Sprints argues that the distinctiveness of their design and brand differentiates it…
The rise of artificial intelligence in software development has introduced a new dimension of intellectual property challenges, particularly concerning “vibe-coded” products. AI’s capacity to assist individuals with minimal coding experience in creating sophisticated software disrupts traditional paradigms, yet this ease of creation brings with it a web of potential IP risks. For instance, leveraging AI…
Greenberg Traurig LLP has expanded its presence in the real estate legal sector by adding new lawyers to its San Francisco and Denver offices. This move is part of the firm’s strategy to bolster its capabilities in key markets and respond to increased demand for real estate legal services, particularly in thriving urban centers. The…
Meta Platforms is poised to implement significant changes to its commercial terms of service (TOS), a move that could have widespread implications for businesses and news organizations. Starting October 30, these new terms will require all business accounts to permit Meta to use content from their linked websites for artificial intelligence training, in addition to…
The ongoing legal battle over HerdDogg, a notable agricultural technology company, intensified as the company urged the Delaware Chancery Court to reject a receivership plea. This petition, brought forward by HerdDogg’s founder, has been flagged by the company as an improper continuation of claims that had already been dismissed in previous litigation. The founder, however,…
In a significant development affecting trademark law involving Native American tribes, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has issued a ruling with implications for trademark strategy and the defenses available to tribes. On September 18, the TTAB ruled in Philip Morris USA Inc. v. IP Services International Inc. that tribal sovereign immunity cannot be…
In a pivotal moment for contractual dispute resolution, Josh Cellars, a prominent name in the wine industry, insists that a Connecticut state judge should determine the validity of fairness defenses in a legal tussle over royalty payments. The former company president, Thomas Steffanci, is seeking millions in royalties, alleging that he is owed due compensation…
Carpenter Technology Corporation, a prominent player in the specialty alloy manufacturing industry based in Philadelphia, is undergoing a significant change in its legal leadership. The company’s top in-house attorney, who has served as General Counsel, recently announced plans to retire by the end of the year. This transition marks a notable shift for Carpenter Technology…
In a significant decision for the biotechnology sector, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has once again ruled against Guardant Health, affirming the validity of claims in a DNA sequencing patent held by the University of Washington. This ruling maintains the integrity of the original $245 million infringement judgment linked to the patent dispute,…
Troutman Pepper Locke LLP has recently expanded its energy regulatory expertise by welcoming a new partner to their Austin, Texas office. The addition comes from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), where the professional played a significant in-house role. This move reflects Troutman’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its capabilities in the energy sector, particularly in…
Control Risks, a renowned global strategic intelligence and security firm, has announced plans to restructure certain segments of its operation. Specifically, the company will be spinning off its Discovery + Data Insights and Forensics divisions into a new, independent entity. This spin-off will initially operate under the provisional name, Control Risks – Compliance, Investigations &…
State attorneys general have expressed serious concerns in a Delaware bankruptcy court about the proposed sale of data by the AI entertainment platform Character.AI. The looming Chapter 11 proceedings have brought to the forefront issues regarding the protection of minors and privacy safeguards that must be prioritized before any transaction can proceed. Character.AI, known for…
In recent times, athletes have increasingly seen the need to protect their personal brands through intellectual property (IP) enforcement. However, this trend carries potential public relations risks that athletes must carefully navigate. A recent incident involving Jayden Daniels, the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders, underscores these challenges. Daniels, a former Heisman Trophy winner, sent…
The Delaware Chancery Court, renowned for its influence in corporate law, continues to capture the attention of legal professionals worldwide with its docket of high-stakes cases. Recently, the court experienced an influx of significant litigation, including challenges from stockholders regarding Nvidia Corp.’s acquisition of artificial intelligence chipmaker Groq Inc., estimated at approximately $20 billion. This…
Recently, a series of commercials funded by the government and promoting former President Donald Trump continued airing even after a federal judge had issued a temporary restraining order. These commercials, which highlighted Trump’s track record and criticized his perceived adversaries, were part of a campaign that appeared to contravene US law prohibiting government-funded publicity or…
The long-running legal battle between Thomson Reuters and ROSS Intelligence has been characterized by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as “no more than an ordinary copyright case,” providing finality to the contentious dispute. This litigation involved claims that ROSS had infringed upon the copyrights of Westlaw headnotes in the development of its AI-driven…
As the U.S. Supreme Court concludes its October sitting, legal professionals are closely monitoring two pivotal cases set to shape criminal sentencing practices and consumer privacy protections. These hearings could redefine the deference federal district courts must accord to commentary on federal sentencing guidelines, as well as clarify the scope of video consumer privacy statutes….
Recently, the United Nations highlighted critical housing issues in Ghana, calling on the government to revise its housing policies. UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Koldo Casla, emphasized that the booming construction industry in Ghana fails to address the country’s housing crisis, suggesting a shift in focus towards affordable housing for the…
The lawsuit accusing Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. of infringing a gene therapy patent, licensed by Regenxbio Inc. from the University of Pennsylvania, has reached its conclusion. The parties involved informed a Delaware federal judge that they have agreed to terminate the case, bringing an end to this legal dispute. This agreement alleviates Sarepta from further litigation…
The protection of Indigenous knowledge through legal frameworks remains a complex and contentious issue in international intellectual property discussions. For over two decades, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has debated how to effectively safeguard Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge, which encompasses medicinal practices, sacred ceremonies, songs, and artistic designs. The challenge arises because these cultural…
Robinson+Cole has been recognized as the “New England Construction Department of the Year” at the New England Legal Awards, which took place on October 8 in Boston. This accolade underscores the firm’s consistent excellence in the construction legal arena, reflecting both their strategic acumen and commitment to client service. The firm’s leadership in construction law…
In a recent legal development, Disney, alongside its subsidiaries Hulu and ESPN, has been named in a lawsuit brought by a South Korean government research institution, joined by three universities, over alleged patent infringements related to their streaming technologies. Filed in a Delaware federal court, the case revolves around claims that these major entertainment companies…
The U.S. Air Force has entered into a licensing agreement with a prominent artificial intelligence company specializing in space and defense infrastructure, granting rights to a patent designed to trap drones and disrupt their communication systems. This move aims to harness the potential of the patent for a wide range of applications, reflecting an increasing…