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Court Watch Image

Court Watch

Cynthia M. Klaus & Susan E. Tegt

Franchise Owner-Operator Bound to Franchise Agreement As a Non-Signatory <br>No Damages Awarded to Franchisee Despite Technical Violations of Registration and Disclosure Requirements By the Franchisor

Features

Your Website's Terms Of Service Are Unenforceable Image

Your Website's Terms Of Service Are Unenforceable

Joshua Kaufman

The vast majority of terms of service (TOS) on websites are unenforceable. Companies spend a great deal of time and money in crafting what they believe to be appropriate TOS, which they hope will provide them with the various protections, safe harbors and advantages needed in dealing with the public or in transacting business. Unfortunately, in most cases those bits will not have any legal bite.

Features

NY Court of Appeals Rejects Claim of Internet Jurisdiction Image

NY Court of Appeals Rejects Claim of Internet Jurisdiction

Shari Claire Lewis

Long-arm jurisdiction over non-domiciliaries is an issue that continues to bedevil practitioners and litigants in the Internet age.

Features

Will the Supreme Court Remove <i>Brulotte</i>'s Shadow Over Patent Licensing? Image

Will the Supreme Court Remove <i>Brulotte</i>'s Shadow Over Patent Licensing?

Sean Gates & Jeny Maier

Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the collection of royalties after a patent's expiration constitutes <i>per se</i> patent misuse. Although criticized by scholars, antitrust agencies and the lower courts, <i>Brulotte</i> has not only endured, it has impacted licensing practices in a number of contexts. All that may change, however.

Features

Law Firm Leaders Struggle With Setting Firmwide Rates Image

Law Firm Leaders Struggle With Setting Firmwide Rates

Gina Passarella

The collective weight of the new year is upon law firm managing partners, with the season being that of collections, partner compensation and rate-setting. And the latter has proven a bit vexing for firm leaders as they grapple with setting rates in an era where firms span multiple markets and practice concentrations, clients aren't willing to pay the published rates and alternative fee deals are a growing part of firm revenue.

Features

Federal Circuit Tackles RAND Royalty Rates Image

Federal Circuit Tackles RAND Royalty Rates

Matthew Siegal & Adam Sapper

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a case of first impression, ruled that when the patent at issue is a standard essential patent (SEP) and its owner is subject to an obligation to license that patent on reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) terms, the jury instructions must discuss the specific obligations of that patentee and not RAND commitments in general.

Features

Second Circuit Arguments in Google Books Case Image

Second Circuit Arguments in Google Books Case

Mark Hamblett

Recently at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a lower court ruling that Google Books' digital library isn't copyright infringement came under attack.

Features

More of the New Normal? Image

More of the New Normal?

Carl N. Boccuti

As a result of the decrease in spending during the Recession, there is considerable cash sitting on the sidelines. Yet every year, there has been uncertainty hovering over the markets, preventing prudent companies from opening the cash spigot. So how does it look for 2015?

Features

Google Spars with Internet Users Over Privacy Before Third Circuit Image

Google Spars with Internet Users Over Privacy Before Third Circuit

Saranac Hale Spencer

Cookies are either a benign method for furnishing Internet users with relevant advertising or they are the foundation of a pernicious invasion of privacy, lawyers argued in front of the Third Circuit last month.

Features

Start Increasing Your 2015 Tax Deduction Now Image

Start Increasing Your 2015 Tax Deduction Now

Gary C. Smith

If your business is like many retail-driven franchises, you have unwanted inventory hogging valuable storage space and putting a drag on your bottom line. The good news is, there is a way to turn that outdated stock into a hefty asset. One that doesn't involve profit-devouring discounts or liquidation hassles. It's called product philanthropy. And for franchises that hold C Corporation status, it's one of the best kept secrets of the IRS tax code.

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