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You Can Ignore Claim Language As Long As it is Before the Colon
In Georgetown Rail Equipment Company v. Holland L.P., [2016-2297] (August 1, 2017), the Federal Circuit affirmed judgment of infringement and the award of lost profits and enhanced damages for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,616,329… more
Who Poked Whom First: Does a Friend Request or Social Media Invite Count as Solicitation?
When Gregory Gelineau quit his job at an Illinois-based insurance company to work for a competitor, he sent LinkedIn invitations to a group of his former co-workers. In response, Gelineau’s former company sued him. The company, Bankers… more
Federal Circuit Review - July 2017
District Court Abused Discretion in Not Finding Case Exceptional - In Rothschild Connected Devices v. Guardian Protection Services, Appeal No. 2016-2521, the Federal Circuit held that a district court abused its discretion in… more
GDPR Applies to US Firms
The European Data Protection Regulation is to come into force on 25 May 2018 (the “GDPR”). It introduces many far-reaching changes in data processing, including the possibility of the supervision authority to impose high fines for… more
SFC (the “Commission”) Expresses Concern over Irregularities in Asset Management Activities
•The Commission has identified a number of regulatory concerns with respect to private funds and discretionary accounts, in particular, funds with concentrated, illiquid and interconnected investments. •The Commission has reminded… more
Terminated Employee Awarded Aggravated Damages for Employer's Conduct
Termination of employment can cause an employee a great deal of hardship. This is especially true when allegations of misconduct and insubordination are at play. The case of Lalonde v. Sena Solid Waste Holdings Inc, 2017 ABQB 374… more
SEC Adopts Exhibit Hyperlink Requirement
•The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted amendments (final rules) that will require registrants to include hyperlinks to exhibits. •The final rules apply to certain periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act… more
SFC Proposes Rules and Code for Open-Ended Fund Companies
Recently, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published a consultation paper on the Securities and Futures (Open-ended Fund Companies) Rules (Rules) and Code on Open-ended Fund Companies (Code) which, if adopted, will… more
The Fed's Small BHC Policy Statement—Regulatory Relief for Bank Growth and Acquisitions
The Small Bank Holding Company ("BHC") Policy Statement ("Policy Statement") was adopted by the Federal Reserve in 1980 to facilitate transfers of small banking organizations, including BHCs formed to assume individuals' bank stock… more
New Report from The Aberdeen Group Cites Lack of Advanced Technologies, Offers Recommendations: eDiscovery Trends
While recovering from ILTACON and Vegas, I found an interesting report with some interesting statistics and observations from The Aberdeen Group about how many organizations are handling eDiscovery and what they could be doing better… more
OFCCP Announces “Compliance Assistance” Town Hall Meetings
On August 16, 2017, OFCCP announced that, as part of its efforts to provide compliance assistance to federal contractors, it will be holding three town hall meetings. The meetings will be open to the public and held in Washington D.C.… more
Raising a Paw to Recent Animal Law Efforts in Maryland
Whoever said that a diamond is a girl’s best friend never had a dog. Within the first few minutes of every conversation, professional or personal, the person I am speaking with always casually, or sometimes intentionally, mentions… more
In 2017 Legislative Sessions, New England States Continue to Lead in Clean Energy and Climate Change Measures
In their 2017 legislative sessions, New England states continued to show support for clean energy projects and policies, as well as efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, and continue to look to each other in determining what programs… more
Brexit Poses Issues For Airports, Airlines
The United Kingdom’s split from the European Union could leave the nation and United States without a trade agreement to manage the aviation industry. The aviation industry currently operates between the two nations under the Open… more
Renewable Energy Update - August 2017 #3
Renewable Energy Focus - Solar trade case weighs whether protection will save or sink industry - Washington Post - Aug 15 - Two solar manufacturers are begging the federal government for help, arguing that without… more
The Lawyers' Lawyer Newsletter - Recent Developments in Risk Management - August 2017
Advising Clients Regarding Potentially Criminal Conduct – Assisting Clients in Connection with the Medical or Recreational Marijuana Industry - Rhode Island Ethics Advisory Panel Op. 2017-01 - Risk Management Issue: In a state… more
Cleveland Clinic Foundation v. True Health Diagnostics, LLC (E.D. Va. 2017)
District Court Finds Method of Detecting Claim to Be Directed to Patent Ineligible Subject Matter - Earlier this month, in Cleveland Clinic Foundation v. True Health Diagnostics, LLC, District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the U.S… more
SEC Report Asserts Cryptocurrency Tokens Are Securities Under US Law
The SEC’s published report of its first investigation focused on tokens sold in the context of an ICO sets the framework for future token offerings and raises red flags and legal hurdles to the resale or transfer of previously issued… more
Not a Token Gesture: Compensating Service Providers with Virtual Property
Questions surrounding the use of virtual currencies and other digital tokens (“tokens”) as compensation came to the forefront last month following formal guidance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on token… more
Trademarks in the World of Golf - How In-House Counsel and Company Owners in the Golf Industry Can Take Stock of Their Game
Many of us golfers spent last weekend watching the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. I was fortunate to be out on the course for Tuesday’s practice round where, in the early morning rain, I followed Justin Thomas as he assessed the… more
San Francisco Ordinance Prohibits Employer Salary History Inquiries
Beginning July 1, 2018, it will be illegal for San Francisco employers to ask job applicants to disclose their salary history. A number of similar laws have been enacted in cities and states across the country to address the gender and… more
Seventh Circuit Sends Police Officers’ Off-Duty BlackBerry Claims to Spam Folder
Employers often grapple with what to do when their policies prohibit off-duty work, like working on mobile devices after hours, that employees don’t follow. Even if it has a policy prohibiting off-duty work, if the employer knows (or… more
Forecast: Abundance of Potential New Rulemaking From the CFPB
After making headlines with its controversial arbitration rule, the embattled Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) released its rulemaking agenda for the rest of the year, putting financial services companies on notice… more
Ninth Circuit in Spokeo: Inaccurate Consumer Reports Support Standing in FCRA Cases
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that allegations that Spokeo Inc. published an inaccurate consumer report in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act established a concrete injury sufficient to confer Article III… more
Minnesota AG files lawsuit against pension advance companies
The Minnesota Attorney General announced that she has filed a lawsuit in state court against two pension advance companies. According to the AG’s press release, the companies often solicited borrowers through their own websites or… more
Unlawful administrative action
An update on the law on unlawful administrative action according to Merafong - Bidders and employers of projects in the public sector should be aware of the recent Constitutional Court judgment of Merafong City Local Municipality v… more
Alabama CON Report
I. For Informational Purposes Only - Contested Case - AL 2017-024, The Troy Hospital Health Care Authority d/b/a Troy Regional Medical Center, Troy, Alabama: Proposes to acquire, relocate and operate 18 geriatric psychiatric… more
Oregon Enacts New Law Impacting Overtime and Maximum Hour Limits for Manufacturers
A new Oregon law clarifies Oregon’s daily and weekly overtime laws and sets new maximum-hour limits for certain Oregon employers. The new statute, which Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed on August 8, 2017, requires most employers in… more
China proposes new rules to address perceived anti-competitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry
On 14 August 2017, the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") released a draft of the Guidelines on Pricing Conduct by Business Operators for Drugs in Shortage and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ("Draft Guidelines")… more
Denver City Council Approves Great Hall Project Development Agreement
In the early hours of August 15, 2017, the Denver City Council approved a $1.8 billion development agreement between the City and County of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Denver Great Hall, LLC, a consortium led by Madrid-based… more
Court Finds Condition of Supervised Release Invalid
In United States v. Browder, the Second Circuit (Cabranes, Lohier, Forrest, sitting by designation) has vacated in part an order finding that the defendant violated two conditions of supervised release. The Court’s decision sheds light… more
Ninth Circuit: Procedural Violations Can Meet Standing Test
This week the Ninth Circuit offered plaintiffs who wish to bring both individual and class actions a potentially broad path to establish Article III standing based on mere allegations of procedural statutory violations. In Robins v… more
CFPB issues reports on student loan repayment and repayment assistance programs
The CFPB has issued two new reports concerning student loans. The first report, “CFPB Data Point: Student Loan Repayment,” examines how the payment patterns of student loan borrowers have changed over the last 14 years. The second… more
Time for Compliance to Take a Stand
Chuck Duross has called the compliance profession “The Alamo” of corporate America, in that sometimes you must take a stand, draw a line in the sand and make the ultimate commitment to your values. Based upon the events in… more
Cordray's Departure Will Mean Big Changes at the CFPB
One of two scenarios will likely occur in the near future at the CFPB. Either Director Richard Cordray will be fired by President Trump (for cause), or Cordray will resign to enter the 2018 Ohio gubernatorial race. If either event… more
Got Privilege? When It Comes to Internal Investigations, Think Again …
Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent decision out of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia serves as a helpful reminder on the difficulties of maintaining privilege during internal company investigations. But with a clear… more
Could Tax Reform Threaten Higher Education?
Given declining funding from government sources and the continued pressure to minimize tuition increases, it is critical for higher education institutions to encourage private giving. The primary catalyst for private giving is the… more
DOJ announces one of largest False Claims Act recoveries concerning U.S. Government small business programs
Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $16 million settlement with Virginia-based government defense contractor, ADS Inc., to resolve allegations that ADS and its subsidiaries violated the False Claims Act by submitting… more
The Tennessee Health Services and Facilities Report - August 2017
The Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency ("HSDA") is responsible for regulating the health care industry in Tennessee through the Certificate of Need Program. A Certificate of Need ("CON") is a permit for the establishment… more
Federal Government Does About-Face on Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements in Employment Contracts
One of the changes in approach that the current administration has taken to the legal system—a change often overshadowed by other headlines—is the current administration’s willingness to enforce arbitration clauses. While this has… more
Fenwick Employment Brief - Summer 2017 Update
California Legislative and Agency Update - Read about the latest California cities to increase hourly minimum wages, newly expanded transgender protections, criminal background check limitations and other changes in California law… more
Fresh From the Bench: Precedential Patent Cases From the Federal Circuit
Visual Memory v. Nvidia reverses the grant of a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), ruling that the claims recite an enhanced computer memory system and not an abstract idea under § 101. In Georgetown Rail v. Holland, the Circuit… more
Trump Signs Executive Order to Streamline Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure
On August 15, President Donald J. Trump signed a second executive order "streamlining" the federal environmental permitting process with a goal of making construction of transportation, water, and other infrastructure projects more… more
NAFTA Renegotiations – Are You Prepared for Changes in Supply Chain Operations and Market Growth Planning?
On August 16, 2017, the United States, Canada, and Mexico began renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”). According to reports, the negotiations are scheduled to be expedited in an effort to be complete before… more
SEC Approves NYSE Rule Change Regarding Dividend Notification Requirements
The SEC has approved a change to the NYSE’s rules which requires listed companies to provide dividend notifications to the Exchange at least 10 minutes prior to disseminating them publicly when the notification is made outside of… more
DOL Temporarily Shuts Down OSHA Injury Reporting Portal Because of Possible Data Breach
According to Bloomberg BNA, the Labor Department temporarily shut down OSHA’s (ITA) “Injury Tracking Application” portal for employers to report injuries and illnesses so that OSHA can investigate a “potential compromise” of a… more
Pharmacyclics Receives FDA Approval for Imbruvica in Treatment for Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
On August 2, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Imbruvica® (ibrutinib) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) to Pharmacyclics LLC. Imbruvica® is the first… more
Combating climate change: NYDFS calls on insurance industry to help
On 26 July 2017, the New York Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) issued Circular Letter No. 9 (2017) (the “Circular Letter”) and a corresponding press release, directed at all life, property/casualty, and health insurers… more
U.S. Withholding on Synthetic Trades over U.S. Equities—Further Delay of Full Implementation Until 2019 (Notice 2017-42)
In response to perceived abuses in taxpayers’ use of swaps and other derivative transactions (e.g., options, futures or forwards) to avoid withholding tax on U.S. source dividends, Congress added Section 871(m) to the Internal Revenue… more
Your Daily Dose of Financial News
Mylan will pay $465 million to federal authorities to resolve claims that it overcharged the Medicaid program by millions for its EpiPen products. Though large, the figure represents about a third of the estimated overpayments Medicaid… more
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Meritas is an established global alliance of independent, full-service law firms. Since our founding in 1990, we have been distinguished by our quality standards. Leon Steinberg, a practicing lawyer…
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