Few landlords and commercial tenants have been completely immune from the governmentally imposed economic shutdown and COVID-19's wrath. Not including what may have been negotiated in a commercial lease, there are three traditional theories under which commercial tenants could seek to assert entitlement to forgiveness of their rent.
Federal Circuit Modifies Facebook IPR Joinder Ruling District Court: Stipulation of Noninfringement Does Not Preclude Post-Remand Finding of Infringement
Development Consistent With Zoning Ordinance Did Not Require Referral to ZBA Development Agreement Constituted Impermissible Contract Zoning
Even though payment of post-petition rent under a nonresidential lease (prior to rejection) has historically been an absolute requirement, bankruptcy courts, as courts of equity, have the ability during these extraordinary times to take a more flexible approach. This clearly is an evolving trend that should continue for at least the duration of the pandemic and perhaps beyond, as bankruptcy judges and practitioners seek out creative and unique responses to difficult issues.
Gamm v. Sanderson Farms, establishes a high burden for a plaintiff to plead adequately failure to disclose illegal conduct — regardless of how much circumstantial evidence a plaintiff is able to amass or how much news coverage the alleged conduct attracts.
The economic impact of the pandemic has been catastrophic. For many companies, intellectual property are significant assets, and counsel for these businesses, as well as counsel for their creditors, licensees and licensors, will need to understand these issues that arise to avoid pitfalls and take full advantage of opportunities to exploit the full value of a company's IP for the benefit of their clients.
28th Cutting Edge Entertainment Law Seminar. Oct. 15-17, 2020.
In the 1976 Copyright Act, Congress inserted a termination right for authors or their successors for pre-January 1, 1978, assignments of copyrighted works. However, the legislators didn't directly address a key issue: how to determine termination rights for what are known as "gap grant" works — that is, those created post-1977 under copyright assignments made before then.
The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc on the entertainment industry. Productions have been halted and distribution channels disrupted. In the midst of this pandemic, one big question for contracting parties is whether force majeure will excuse or postpone a party's obligations without liability.
While commercial leases and the force majeure clauses contained in such leases vary widely, a recent decision from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois may provide guidance to parties and help them to resolve similar disputes without resorting to the courts.
