Features

Supreme Court Denies Cert in RLUIPA Case
<b><i>Sets Standard that Potentially Relieves Municipalities from Liability for Denying Religious Uses</b></i><p>The broad and somewhat vague definition of religious exercise in The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) has invited much litigation over what constitutes a substantial burden and even what constitutes religious exercise.
Features

Chapter 15 Practice: U.S. Venue Selection Clause Does Not Trump Distribution Scheme in Italian Restructuring Plan
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware recently ruled that choice of law and venue selection provisions in a contract between a U.S. creditor and Italian debtor did not trump the debt restructuring plan approved by an Italian bankruptcy court.
Columns & Departments
Development
Merger Defeats Single and Separate Ownership Claim<br>Failure to Refer to County Planning Board Invalidates Grant of Area Variance<br>Denial of Natural Resources Special Permit Upheld<br>Village Ratifies Extension of Lease to Cell Phone Provider
Columns & Departments
IP News
Federal Circuit Holds USPTO Can Defend PTAB Decision After Original Petitioner Drops Out<br>Federal Circuit Says <i>Alice</i> Not Intervening Change
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Brief Use of Graffiti Art in HBO's <i>Vinyl</i> Show Found <i>De Minimis</i><br>Chinese Film Company Subject to Personal Jurisdiction in Location Security Company's Colorado Lawsuit
Columns & Departments
Real Property Law
Interest on Loan Tolled When Mortgagee Delayed In Filing Request for Judicial Intervention<br>Court Dismisses Tortious Interference Claim By Holder of First Refusal<br>Easement Enforceable Despite City Register's Failure to Index the Easement Against Newly Created Lot
Columns & Departments
Landlord & Tenant
Liquidated Damages Provision Not an Unenforceable Penalty<br>Occupant Established Succession Right Despite Absence of Sexual or Blood Relationship<br>Rent Stabilization Provision Lost When Tenant Executed Lease In Corporate Name<br>Predecessor Landlord Waived Prohibition on Subleases and Assignments
Features

NY High Court Sees Right of Publicity Claim in Avatars but Rules Against Celebrity Plaintiffs
<i><b>Legislature Considers Publicity Law Update</b></i><p>Ruling in a matter of first impression, New York's high court dismissed suits filed by Lindsay Lohan and the daughter of ex-mobster Sammy “The Bull” Gravano against the makers of Grand Theft Auto V, by disagreeing with the plaintiff's claims that characters in the game were intended to be their look-alikes.
Features

Indiana Supreme Court to Decide Fantasy Sports Publicity Rights Issue
The Supreme Court of Indiana accepted a certified question from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit involving the interpretation of the state's right-of-publicity statute.
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- Abandoned and Unused Cables: A Hidden Liability Under the 2002 National Electric CodeIn an effort to minimize the release of toxic gasses from cables in the event of fire, the 2002 version of the National Electric Code ("NEC"), promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, sets forth new guidelines requiring that abandoned cables must be removed from buildings unless they are located in metal raceways or tagged "For Future Use." While the NEC is not, in itself, binding law, most jurisdictions in the United States adopt the NEC by reference in their state or local building and fire codes. Thus, noncompliance with the recent NEC guidelines will likely mean that a building is in violation of a building or fire code. If so, the building owner may also be in breach of agreements with tenants and lenders and may be jeopardizing its fire insurance coverage. Even in jurisdictions where the 2002 NEC has not been adopted, it may be argued that the guidelines represent the standard of reasonable care and could result in tort liability for the landlord if toxic gasses from abandoned cables are emitted in a fire. With these potential liabilities in mind, this article discusses: 1) how to address the abandoned wires and cables currently located within the risers, ceilings and other areas of properties, and 2) additional considerations in the placement and removal of telecommunications cables going forward.Read More ›
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