It is no secret that the process of successfully registering trademarks in China is filled with challenges due to an overwhelming number of existing, valid registered trademarks and large annual intake of new applications. The 2022 annual report of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) starkly highlights this issue, indicating the preliminary approval rate…
Taking a proactive approach to product liability risks within the life sciences sector is now more crucial than ever, given the evolving nature of the global legal landscape. In this perspective, Venable LLP is hosting a webinar – Life Sciences Series – Product Liability Risk Management Strategies in the Pre and Early Litigation Time Frame,…
Legal professionals find themselves in an increasingly complex business and privacy landscape, wrestling with shifting compliance procedures, evolving risk management practices, information governance changes, and new eDiscovery challenges. More than ever, it is critical for organizations to understand and adeptly navigate this intricate synergy, as improper data management can result in significant repercussions, both legally…
In an impactful decision, the Second Department has resolved a critical legal issue, confirming that the length of the summons and complaint does matter. These legal documents, which usually mark the outset of a lawsuit, need to meet specific criteria as per CPLR 304. After the initiation of the lawsuit, the plaintiff is required to…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Florida Care ALF of Amelia Island, Inc., a Florida-based assisted living facility. The federal agency alleges that the company has violated federal law by firing an employee due to her pregnancy. The lawsuit marks yet another incident tarnishing the reputation of employers with…
Odds are that businesses involved in any kind of manufacturing or sale of physical products will be impacted by developments in legislation or case law involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This is a matter that calls for close attention from legal professionals working in many of the world’s largest corporations and law firms, as…
A Houston-based law firm and its founding partner have recently submitted an appeal to a Texas court, seeking to overturn a prior decision upholding a lawsuit brought by a litigation funding company. The suit centers on a $2 million loan that the law firm is alleged to have not repaid. The initial push to dismiss…
September 21, 2023, commemorated the sixth year since substantial alterations were made to the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations in Canada. The regulations play a critical role in Canada’s pharmaceutical industry, providing balance between encouraging innovative drug development and safeguarding the accessibility of cost-efficient generic alternatives. The sixth anniversary also serves as a juncture…
In the complex landscape of legal battles involving asbestos exposure, recent developments in the Eastern District of Louisiana may be of interest to legal professionals. The case at hand pertains to original plaintiff Felton Robichaux, who filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants alleging exposure to asbestos from products he worked with during his tenure as…
Recently passed legislation in Illinois significantly broadens access to punitive damages and expedited trials, establishing a new landscape for litigation in the state. In particular, Illinois House Bill 219 and Illinois Senate Bill 1748 have been designed to help plaintiffs, especially those in wrongful death and survival cases, and senior citizens. As reported by Harris…
Around the globe, green energy rapidly gains traction, pushing traditional forms of power production to the backdrop. In spite of such advancements, coal remains a significant contributor to the energy mix, especially in the United States. With more than 300 coal-fired power plants still in operation, the country’s power sector is responsible for producing approximately…
The week in 340B has brought forward some significant developments. “This Week in 340B: September #4” offers an insight into these changes, summarizing the ebb and flow throughout the 340B sector over the last week. This weekly series remains a valuable resource for legal professionals, as we’ve closely tracked the development of over 50 340B…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a proposal on September 19, 2023, seeking amendments to the existing regulations ruling the roles of H-1B specialty occupation workers and students in possession of F-1 visas who are beneficiaries of the timely filed H-1B cap-subject petitions. The titled proposal, “Modernizing H-1B Requirements and Oversight and Providing…
Notable developments in State and Local Taxes (SALT) rarely escape attention, especially when they impact businesses and taxpayers on a significant scale. The month of September 2023 was no exception, where certain substantial changes in this arena, spread across multiple jurisdictions, created quite a stir. In a recent coverage by JD Supra, entitled “SALT Select…
In recent legal news, a significant judgment in the High Court provides clarity regarding the “Distressed Disposal” provisions (DD Provisions) within LMA-based intercreditor agreements (ICA). Distressed Disposal Provisions, often prevalent in ICA, have been a point of contention among stakeholders, primarily because of their uncertain interpretations across various legal settings. However, this recent development, as…
In the intricate realm of medical malpractice litigation, determining who to hold accountable for injuries can often be a daunting task. Navigating these legal waters demands a meticulous investigation into the specifics of each case and an understanding of the potential liable parties or organizations. This article provided by Morris James LLP can serve as…
Under the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that will be effective from December 18, 2023, companies face a new challenge of making real-time materiality determinations following a cybersecurity incident. This comes with the introduction of the 8-K reporting obligations for “material” cybersecurity incidents. The SEC has stressed that this new Item 1.05 reporting…
AI is increasingly a dominant focus in the legal technology conversation. As evidence of this, recent legal technology forums turned swiftly to discussions about how generative AI tools could be applied within the field of electronic discovery (eDiscovery). Highlighting this trend, the announcement of aiR for Review by Relativity during their keynote at the latest…
As the legal world turns its gaze towards the ongoing litigation between REGENXBIO Inc. and Sarepta Therapeutics, the latest developments come in the form of a scheduling order issued by the courts. This order comes after a claim, filed in Delaware in June 2023, by both REGENXBIO Inc. and the Trustees of the University of…
On September 21, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated a monopolization lawsuit against US Anesthesia Partners (USAP) and private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe (WC). This lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleges unlawful monopolization of the anesthesiology market via roll-up acquisitions. USAP is a…
In the legal world, particularly contract law, the term ‘standard’ often incites a sense of security, predictability, and familiarity. Yet, an article recently published on JD Supra rightly advises industry professionals to be wary of ‘standard’ contract terms cautioning that ‘nothing is ‘standard’. The concern lies within the scenario where developers, designers, contractors and other…
In a recent ruling in California, corporations who fail to pay their arbitration fees in a timely manner may end up forfeiting their right to arbitration altogether. The regulations surrounding arbitration agreements and their ensuing processes were navigated thoroughly in an article posted on JD Supra. The piece, which dives into the nuances of arbitration…
In a notable step towards determining New York State’s financial future, the state’s Budget Director, Blake Washington, recently issued an annual agency “call letter.” Sent to the executive branch agencies, this action seeks the development and submission of budget requests needed to support agency operations. This development presents an opportunity for legal professionals to gain…
The demanding nature of legal profession, particularly within large law firms, is well-known. Despite the crushing hours often associated with Biglaw jobs, a rising number of lawyers are finding time to pursue alternative careers or “side hustles”. According to a recent study by Bankrate, engaging in side hustles has become a progressively regular feature of…
It is perhaps an understatement to propose that Bexis, a co-founder of this blog in 2006, did so with a clear purpose in mind: to assist medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, entities that often find themselves at the sharp end of the litigation stick in our lawsuit-prone nation. This blog has evolved into a valuable…