Features
Injunctions in the Franchising Context: Comparing the Canadian and American Systems
Franchisors often seek injunctions to enforce non-competition and other covenants contained in their franchise agreements, sometimes during but most often after the end of the franchise relationship. A common example is an injunction to enforce a covenant in which the franchisee contracts to not compete in a similar business for a specified period of time and within a specified geographic area. If successful, the moving party-franchisor is granted an injunction forcing the former franchisee to abide by its contractual obligations for the specified time period. Given the time it generally takes to reach trial, the non-competition clause often will expire before the trial occurs. As such, a successful interlocutory injunction motion often will finally decide the issues for the franchisor, rendering the trial moot. Given this reality, parties frequently settle after a successful interlocutory injunction, or the case may be abandoned after an unsuccessful one.
Features
10b5 -1 Plan Abuse
Last month, we wrote that the latest hot topic in corporate executive abuses may be manipulation of traders under prearranged Rule 10b5-1. We said that once a determination is made to review the historical operation of a 10b5-1 plan, reviewers should consider as a threshold issue whether they are sufficiently independent from the subject plans and traders to be properly regarded as objective. We continue with a list that describes several steps that could be taken to reveal some of the 10b5-1 plan abuses that commentators speculate may exist.
Features
Complying with the FCPA in Emerging Markets After SOX
The recent settlement of parallel FCPA actions in the Southern District of Texas against Baker Hughes, Inc., a major oilfield service company, and its wholly owned subsidiary Baker Hughes Services International Inc. (collectively 'Baker Hughes'), underscores the importance of complying with the FCPA's provisions in emerging markets.
Features
Foreign Companies Prosecuted in the U.S. for Bribes Overseas
In an effort to level the playing field for U.S. businesses overseas, many OECD countries adopted the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions in 1998. Nearly 10 years later, the main result may have been to enlarge the playing field of U.S. law enforcement.
Features
Localized Pain
A movement is slowly building to abolish century-old medical malpractice laws that judge a doctors' performance by the medical standards existing in his or her community. Those laws, known as 'locality rules,' are still on the books in 21 states.
Features
New York Zoning, and the Variance and Rezoning Process
Evaluating the potential for a variance or a rezoning must be done on a case-by-case basis. All of the issues pertaining to the site must be considered to determine if a rezoning or a variance is appropriate for the project. Such factors as whether there is a unique condition on the site for a variance are important. For a rezoning, facts such as if there is a strong residential character around an unused manufacturing site would make for a strong case. Other factors such as the political dynamic and the details of preparing the application must be taken into account as well.
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