Features

'Stranger Things' Copyright Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss
In response to a copyright claim in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that the Netflix series Stranger Things infringed on Irish Rover Entertainment's unpublished screenplays, Netflix and the other defendants filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the works were not substantially similar as a matter of law.
Features

Licensing Audits from Licensees' Perspective
The audit clause is a necessary means for the licensor to protect its interests and to guard against unscrupulous licensees. But it is a mistake to think that the clause is there solely to prevent malfeasance.
Features

Copyright and Internet Content
Online publication impacts the duration of copyright protection among other purposes, including optimizing creative and ownership rights and the availability of statutory damages and attorney fees. Thus, it is important to determine when Internet distribution constitutes publication.
Features

New Small Claims Procedure for Copyright Disputes
The CASE Act fulfills the longstanding goal of the U.S. Copyright Office to establish a small claims court. The measure tasked the office with establishing the Copyright Claims Board and adopting governing regulations.
Features

Shareholders' Suit Over Video Game Developer's IPO
Two former shareholders allege in federal court that an auto-racing video game creator swindled them out of more than $200 million in stock.
Features

A Balancing Act: Mitigating Data Privacy Risks in Cross-Border Discovery
The intersection of foreign laws governing data collection and cross-border discovery operations continues to be a potentially volatile conjunction.
Features

Depositions and Legal Proceedings in the Remote World: What Attorneys Need to Know About Security and Best Practices
Now that depositions and other legal proceedings are now virtual, remote exercises in most cases. It doesn't mean, however, that the rules have relaxed. If anything, it's more important than ever to follow best practices and pay attention to security.
Features

Legal Tech: Winter 2021 E-Discovery Case Law Review
In this winter e-discovery case law review, we'll cover three cases that might have turned out differently had counsel supervised e-discovery activities more adequately.
Features

How Legal Tech Can Help Lawyers Protect Privilege and Better Serve Their Clients
A recent UK High Court ruling has provided lawyers everywhere with a stark reminder on the scope of privilege for electronic communications.
Features

What a Post-COVID-19 World: Debtors' Extraordinary Responses to COVID-19
The impact of the pandemic rages on and, in its path leaves many businesses and industries demolished or, at best, severely impaired. Once again, the Bankruptcy Code has been called upon to provide relief to those in dire need
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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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