Businesses can unknowingly infringe others’ copyrights in all kinds of ways. It’s important for copyright holders to know their rights. It’s also important for those using copyrighted content to be aware of common pitfalls...more
4/3/2025
/ Advertising ,
Artistic Works ,
Copyright ,
Copyright Infringement ,
Copyright Litigation ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
IP License ,
Music ,
Music Industry ,
Risk Management ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Software ,
Video ,
Websites
In a recent decision, the Fourth Circuit considered a class action lawsuit brought by shareholders of a biopharma company, INC Research Holdings, Inc. (now Syneos Health Inc.). The shareholders had voted to approve a merger...more
1/9/2024
/ C-Suite Executives ,
Class Action ,
Control Person ,
Mergers ,
Securities Act of 1933 ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Securities Fraud ,
Shareholder Approval ,
Shareholder Litigation ,
Shareholders ,
Stock Prices
Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit considered whether “gruyere” cheese can be registered as a trademark in the United States, or whether it is merely a generic term that is not entitled to...more
Video gaming is an enormous industry, currently bigger than the movie and music industries combined, and only continues to grow. Two billion people—a quarter of the world’s population—play video games. Gaming generated $155...more
The Fourth Circuit dismissed an investor’s lawsuit against a hotel chain that had been subject to a data breach, ruling that the company had not made false or misleading public statements about its protection of customer...more
5/19/2022
/ Appeals ,
Class Action ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Security ,
False Statements ,
Institutional Investors ,
Internal Controls ,
Marriott ,
Misleading Statements ,
Popular ,
Rule 10(b) ,
Securities Exchange Act ,
Securities Fraud ,
Shareholder Litigation
Fourth Circuit decision reminds litigants that settlement agreements can have far-reaching effects on the relationship between the parties.
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit addressed...more
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit concerned a nightmare scenario for any property owner. The plaintiffs sought to rebuild their beachfront house after it was destroyed.
Originally...more
A driver bought a used Ford Crown Victoria in Minnesota. Later, while driving on a rural road with a friend in the passenger seat, he collided with a snow plow. The car landed in a ditch, and its passenger-side air bag did...more
Employers should be aware of the risk of liability under anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation statutes when transferring employees to other positions.
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth...more
Be careful what you ask for. If that juicy prejudicial evidence seems just too good to pass up, you should consider the Fourth Circuit’s recent decision in 'Macsherry v. Sparrows Point.'
Trials are expensive and...more
The Fourth Circuit upholds severe sanctions against a party who fails to preserve evidence in litigation.
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit emphasizes the importance of preserving...more
Protestors across America have delivered a firm message in response to the deaths of black citizens at the hands of law enforcement: “This has to stop.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit used the same words on...more
Punitive damages are an extraordinary remedy under Title VII, and in order to obtain them, the plaintiff must satisfy a higher standard. Nonetheless, the threat of substantial punitive damages under Title VII should put...more
A plaintiff bringing a lawsuit will often want to file close to home, for various strategic and logistical reasons. The appeal of filing at home has perhaps never been stronger, as COVID-19 casts uncertainty on travel plans...more
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (one among the 13 appeals courts of the U.S. federal court system) underscores the importance of the attorney-client privilege. In a case titled In re:...more
12/13/2019
/ Appeals ,
Attorney-Client Privilege ,
Confidential Communications ,
Crime-Fraud Exception ,
DEA ,
Forensic Examination ,
Irreparable Harm ,
IRS ,
Preliminary Injunctions ,
Search Warrant ,
Work-Product Doctrine
On April 19, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rejected a trade association’s constitutional challenge to the North Carolina rules that prevent corporations from providing legal advice.
North Carolina’s...more