The latest on: NFL Anti-Trust decision; Record Labels Sue Over Generative AI; Copyright Office clarifies Termination Rights, Royalties, Transfers, Disputes, and the MMA.
Fierce Competition Podcast | Antitrust Challenges in Organized Sports: How They Play Out in the EU, UK and US
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Sues the FTC Over Power Grab
The New FTC Rule Explained: Will Your Non-Compete Be Enforceable?
The FTC Issued a New Rule to Ban All New Noncompete Agreements
Podcast: Key Changes in Finalized Antitrust Merger Guidelines – Diagnosing Health Care
Fierce Competition Podcast | Takeaways From the Illumina-Grail Merger Challenge Saga
AGG Talks: Antitrust and White-Collar Crime Roundup - Analyzing the Latest Updates in the Litigation Against Trump
Fierce Competition Podcast | Letter From London: The Rise of UK Class Actions and the Competition Appeal Tribunal
Fierce Competition Podcast | Private Equity Under the Antitrust Microscope
JONES DAY TALKS® - Charting the Course: Antitrust's Past, Present, and Future in Labor Markets
What You Need to Know About the New FTC and DOJ HSR Changes
Fierce Competition Podcast | A Look at the Evolving Global Deal Landscape
Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast Episode: Shining a Bright Light on Digital Dark Patterns
Podcast- The FTC's Mission: Competition and Antitrust
Cornerstone Research Connects: The CAT Judgment in Trucks
Uncorked With Farella: M&A in the Wine Industry With Robert Nicholson
Clocking in with PilieroMazza: #LNE4GovCons: FLSA Exemptions Matter When Bidding for SCA Contracts
Clocking in with PilieroMazza: #LNE4GovCons: Impacts of NLRB’s Ruling on Severance Agreement Content
Antitrust Conversations: Antitrust Litigation
A state trial court in Minnesota granted Renters Warehouse USA, LLC’s motion for a temporary injunction, and enjoined Life Property Managers, LLC (LPM) from violating its post-termination obligations and a covenant not to...more
A federal court in New Jersey recently granted a franchisor’s motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining the former franchisee from using the franchisor’s marks and violating the franchise agreement’s noncompete clause,...more
As explained in Polsinelli’s prior alert of April 24, 2024, the FTC announced its final rule on non-compete covenants (the “Rule”) on April 23, 2024. Critically, the Rule does not prohibit non-compete agreements between...more
On April 23, 2034, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule intended to ban the use and enforcement of most non-compete clauses signed by workers. The new rule is not in effect yet. It will become...more
A federal court in Utah denied a requested injunction in a dispute between competitors in the gourmet cookie market. Crumbl LLC v. Dirty Dough LLC, (D. Utah Aug. 11, 2023)....more
In Deslandes v. McDonald’s USA LLC, issued August 25, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit overturned the dismissal of antitrust claims that challenged no-poach clauses in franchise agreements....more
The Federal Trade Commission on Friday announced a Request for Information regarding “franchise agreements and franchisor business practices, including how franchisors may exert control over franchisees and their workers.”...more
A federal court in New York has denied a franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction aimed at preventing a former franchisee from operating a competing business in the same location as its former franchised business...more
A federal court in Missouri recently ruled that antitrust claims against four real estate broker franchisors and a trade association may proceed to trial based on evidence that the association’s code of ethics may inflate...more
Arrington v. Burger King Worldwide, Inc., No. 20-13561 (11th Cir. Aug. 31, 2022) – In October 2018, a former line cook of a Burger King franchise restaurant in Illinois, filed a class action complaint in the District Court...more
South Florida emerged as one of the most sought after markets coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. People flocked to the area, purchasing valuable real estate – both residential and commercial....more
In early September, the Eleventh Circuit reversed the district court’s judgment for defendants Burger King Corporation, Burger King Worldwide, Inc., and their ultimate parent Restaurant Brands International, Inc....more
A trash collection business brought claims against a franchisor and franchisee of Smash My Trash, a mobile waste compacting brand. The business, Republic Services of Kansas City, claimed the defendants wrongfully solicited...more
In a misappropriation of trade secrets action, a franchisor sued a prospective franchisee, claiming breach of a non-disclosure agreement ("NDA") by operating a competing business. The prospective franchisee signed the NDA...more
The US and China have reportedly reached an initial agreement on the “final terms of a phase one trade deal, moving both countries closer to signing a pact that” the White House originally announced in October and averting...more
It’s the holiday season, but franchise lawyers may find little in recent events to celebrate. The challenges just keep on coming! Most recently, we’ve been challenged by California’s AB5 legislation and Dynamex decision,...more
Sandwich shop franchisor Erbert and Gerbert (“E&G”) was unable to demonstrate a “better than negligible” likelihood of succeeding on allegations that a former franchisee infringed its trade dress in establishing a new...more
Over the last 18 months, no-poach provisions in franchise agreements have drawn considerable attention from academics, state attorneys general, politicians, and the class action plaintiffs’ bar. Originally published in...more
Tax service franchisor, H&R Block, was recently vindicated in having terminated a franchisee for violating an in-term non-compete covenant. A United States District Court granted the franchisor summary judgment in Devore v....more
In Devore v. H&R Block, the franchisor H&R Block was found to have lawfully terminated a franchisee for violating an in-term non-compete covenant, because the franchisee permitted its office manager and prior operator of the...more
For those looking to grow a thriving, established business, franchising offers an attractive option. But making the decision to franchise is not simple. While franchi+sing offers an avenue to cost-effective growth, any...more
On Valentine's Day of 2017, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland gave franchisors the legal equivalent of two dozen roses when it decided Frye v. Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc., 2017 WL 605285 (D....more