The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has determined that a cap exists on the number of counterarguments permitted in response to expert reports. This resolution is a recent occurrence in a trademark case initiated by Monster Energy. The energy drink behemoth is opposing a fitness equipment manufacturer’s attempt to register the term “Monster Lite”…
Freedom Debt Relief, LLC (FDR) recently came under the spotlight as it announced a data breach that put confidential consumer information at risk. Filed with the Attorney General of Montana on August 3, 2023, the notice alerts to an instance of unauthorized access to certain critical documents holding sensitive data of consumers. Having occurred at…
In an environment where the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, legal considerations around religious accommodations at workplaces are becoming increasingly important. Several cases have emerged where employees have objected to COVID-19 vaccination on the grounds of their religious beliefs. As laid out in Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (\“Title VII”),…
As we mark the sixth anniversary of the global #MeToo movement, the impact on U.S. workplaces is garnering renewed attention. The spotlight placed on sexual harassment and misconduct led to significant shifts in cultural norms and made it more pressing than ever for corporations and employment law firms to prioritize and address these issues proactively….
As of October 2021, a newly enacted law in Connecticut stands to modify the landscape of data protection, warranting attention from legal professionals worldwide. In particular, the law introduces specific protections for subsets of consumer health data, forms new rights in the realm of social media, and brings clarity to requirements around children’s data. The…
Recent events have once again spotlighted the vulnerability of healthcare infrastructure to cyber threats, with several hospitals and outpatient treatment facilities across three states still grappling with a ransomware attack that took place last week. The attack targeted Prospect Medical Holdings, a Los Angeles-based healthcare organization that oversees 16 hospitals and 165 outpatient facilities scattered…
As recently reported, Dentons, once the largest law firm, is parting ways with Dacheng in response to China’s new cybersecurity regulations (Financial Times). This split comes in the wake of significant changes in the international legal landscape, particularly as countries implement stringent measures to safeguard their cyber infrastructure. Meanwhile, debate around diversity policies in the…
The Wall Street Journal, known for its primary focus on business and financial news, is shining a spotlight on social issues that impact businesses globally. Among the front runners is Post Partum Depression (PPD), a maternal health condition that has significant implications within society and, more specifically, in the corporate landscape. Traditionally, the Wall Street…
As employers are increasingly calling their employees back to the office, a case from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Oross v. Kutztown University, sheds light on the need for individualized assessments when considering requests for remote work accommodations. The case implies that any policies categorically denying requests for remote work…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its Summer 2023 Supervisory Highlights on July 26, detailing a range of Unfair, Deceptive, and Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAPs). These findings span across an array of consumer financial products and violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). Products identified in this report encompass auto origination, auto servicing,…
The USPTO recently published an updated report on Inter Partes Review (IPR) and Post Grant Review (PGR) proceedings, which spotlighted the Orange Book or biologic patents. These findings incorporate data until March 31, 2023, offering a revealing look into this crucial patent litigation realm. Significant for stakeholders navigating this intricate field are marked variances in…
USA Made claims continue to garner significant legal attention, with regular challenges from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) among others. Recent attention has been focused on a class certification against R.C. Bigelow, Inc., in the Central District of California, making the matter a crucial point of consideration for legal professionals in corporate sectors and law…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of sports and entertainment law, a few incidents have recently caught the eye of legal professionals across the globe, including the slime-ulcast for Super Bowl LVIII, Cardi B’s concert drama, college sports revamp, and ASU Stadium’s new identity. These may offer valuable insights into the emerging trends and legal considerations…
In a recent announcement made on August 1, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau informed a gateway intermediate provider and originator about alleged illegal transmission and origination of robocalls. If actions are not taken to rectify this situation, the FCC may grant downstream service providers the legal authority to permanently block its traffic, resulting…
In an intriguing meld of classic literature and modern corporate compliance, lessons are being derived from the well-known Sherlock Holmes stories, specifically “The Man with the Twisted Lip”. Brought to us by Thomas Fox, a Compliance Evangelist, this unique approach seeks to draw parallels and insights from these timeless tales. The 12-part series, “Adventures in…
In a striking ruling that did not mince words, a Georgia judge refused to block a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump over alleged interference in the state’s 2020 Presidential Election. According to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick, Trump’s legal team failed to show a clear legal right to stop the grand…
In recent times, there have been considerable disclosures of potentially compromising affiliations between several U.S. Supreme Court members and prominent figures in the business world. These relationships have raised ethical questions and ignited conversations about the necessity for legal guidelines in monitoring these interconnections. Amidst the ensuing debates, Justice Elena Kagan has shown a receptive…
Rudy Giuliani, noted for his central role in one of the latest Trump indictments, has found himself again in the spotlight following harsh words from former vice president Mike Pence. Pence, in a tweet posted recently, emphasized that anyone who prioritizes their personal ambitions over the Constitution is ill-suited for the presidency. The former vice…
The American Bar Association (ABA) has stepped into the judicial reform fray, providing its own set of reform recommendations it contends will boost public trust in the U.S.’s judicial system, including the Supreme Court. Message from ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross underscores the importance of the public’s belief in the judicial process to maintaining a functioning…
As the end of the fiscal year approaches, followed by a multitude of decisions from National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the spotlight falls on the highly-anticipated case, Stericycle, Inc., 372 NLRB No. 113 (2023). The August 1, 2023 decision has captured the attention of legal professionals worldwide not only due to its overturning of existing…
There is a delicate balance between the protective nature of child abuse reports and the potential for misuse in the throes of relationship retributions. This issue recently made headlines in legal circles with an intriguing case that explored whether a vindictive report to DCPP (the agency that investigates child abuse) can be constituted as harassment…
The aviation industry is on the brink of a significant transformation. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), an umbrella term for a next-generation air transportation method for both people and cargo, is in the spotlight as it promises a sustainable way forward in the field. This new tech-driven leap is powered by emerging, innovative technologies. This article…
The recent actions taken by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) serve as a stark reminder that pyramid schemes remain a live issue for law enforcement bodies, despite their relative age as fraudulent schemes. As stated in a recent report, the parties have reached a settlement with BINT Operations LLC…
It’s a scenario that’s becoming all too common in the corporate world. A class action lawsuit gets filed, in this case, against Anheuser-Busch, accusing the company of a host of violations against California’s wage and hour laws. This begs the question, “Why is this garnering attention given that countless such lawsuits are filed on an…
On July 26, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Justice released an essential joint compliance notice, referred to as the “Compliance Notice.” This document updates and summarizes each agency’s stance on businesses’ voluntary self-disclosure of potential violations concerning sanctions, export controls, and other national security laws. According…