Features
Sup. Ct. To Clarify <i>Fogerty</i> Copyright Attorney Fees Factors
For the second time in three years, the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to consider important questions under the Copyright Act at the behest of Supap Kirtsaeng, a tenacious Thai math professor. In 2013, the Supreme Court handed Kirtsaeng an important victory in a litigation brought against him by a major publisher, holding that a copyrighted work published and purchased abroad may be resold in the United States without the permission of the copyright holder.
Features
Financing Statement Filed Without Debtors' Authorization
Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a secured party can perfect its lien on certain of a debtor's assets by the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement. However, Section 9-509 of the UCC provides that a party may file such a financing statement only if the debtor authorizes the filing: either expressly in an authenticated record or, more commonly, by executing a security agreement.
Features
The NJ Franchise Practices Act and the Legacy of 'Instructional Systems'
The New Jersey Franchise Practices Act is a powerful tool for those businesses that qualify for its protections. Under the NJFPA, a franchisor cannot terminate a franchisee without good cause, even where doing so would be perfectly acceptable under the parties' contract. The NJFPA also prohibits a franchisor from imposing "unreasonable standards of performance" on a franchisee.
Columns & Departments
Court Watch Franchisors Rebuff Franchisees' Claims Of Bad Behavior
The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, while not always a separate cause of action, depending on the jurisdiction, can be a powerful tool in a franchisee's arsenal to assert claims based on breaches of franchise agreements due to a franchisor's bad conduct. However, recent cases coming out of New York and Michigan demonstrate just how difficult it can be for a franchisee to make out a claim premised on the franchisor's poor behavior.
Features
The Raising of a Privacy Shield
On Feb. 2, 2016, the U.S. Department of Commerce and European Commission unveiled a new framework for personal data transfers from European Union (EU) Member States to the U.S. The new framework ' dubbed the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield ' will replace the EU-U.S. Safe Harbor program, which was invalidated by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 2015.
Features
Top Security Intrusion Trends the Legal Community Should Watch
Lawyers are increasingly expected to understand the implications of cybersecurity when providing advice relating to a long list of matters. Legal counsel, as trusted neutral advisors, are uniquely qualified to help navigate risk considerations and bridge customer deliverables and workforce expectations with adequate security and shifting legal requirements. As a result, it is important that lawyers understand the latest trends in cyber intrusions.
Features
They're With Us!
Recently, faced with pressure to increase efficiency, companies have increased their dependence on outside entities to complete tasks that were once reserved for in-house employees. How does this affect the attorney-client privilege?
Features
<b><i>Online Extra:</b></i> FDIC Chimes In on Cybersecurity
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is the latest entity to release a framework for cybersecurity.
Features
Despite Reforms, Patent Cases Filed by NPEs Rose in 2015
Despite changes in patent law expected to curb the filing of lawsuits by non-practicing entities, NPE litigation increased significantly in 2015.
Features
Texas Can Deny Film Grant over Movie's Content
In a ruling certain to disappoint those who want to film B-grade action movies in Texas on the cheap, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decided that the producers of <i>Machete Kills</i> don't have a First Amendment right to an incentive grant from the Texas Film Commission.
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