The FASB's Accounting Standard Codification topical system has permanently changed how accountants, lawyers, educators, regulators, and finance professionals will cite and research myriad rules that govern how companies account for and present their financial transactions and financial statements.
Today's game designers and consumers demand a sports game experience that is as close to the real world, and real players, as possible. Game manufacturers have largely succeeded in delivering on this demand. But at least a handful of players are not happy with this situation.
Some non-Hollywood law firms have carved out limited entertainment practices based on their own areas of expertise, such as large corporate mergers or financing. But most avoid the entertainment world altogether.
In a ruling of first impression, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware decided that photographs published on a foreign Web site weren't simultaneously "published" in the United States. The photographer thus wasn't required to register the photographs with the U.S. Copyright Office prior to filing an infringement suit.
SILOs underlie a confrontation between a taxpayer and the IRS in the new First Circuit case of <i>United States v. Textron Inc.</i> But that decision was not just about the legality or taxing of such leases. Rather, it has grave consequences on a far more sweeping issue: the inability of taxpayers to shield from disclosure so-called "tax accrual workpapers," documents typically prepared by in-house tax attorneys that set out in detail sensitive areas of tax liability.
Film financing and film production can be long, slow processes. But deals for distribution rights may be struck up fast and furious, as seen from distribution interest in buzz movies at film festivals. This happened with Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, a film about a young African-American mother in Harlem that won both the grand jury prize and audience award in drama at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009. Hurried negotiations for the film distribution rights to Push has led to multi-suit litigation ' and a recent Manhattan federal district court ruling that may help define when there's a binding distribution deal.
In recent years, there has been a growing number of dry cleaners claiming to be "organic," "green," or "eco-friendly." While that may be true with respect to some, many dry cleaners continue to use a cleaning method involving the use of a solvent called perchloroethylene, commonly known as perc. And, there seems to be an increasing number of lawsuits stemming from environmental problems associated with historic dry cleaning operations utilizing this chemical.
This article reviews the fundamental underpinnings of the concept of insurable interest, and certain recent cases that have grappled with the scope of insurable interest and have articulated a more meaningful application of the concept to claims under first-party property policies.
That the pace of change is "accelerating" is surely an understatement. What seemed almost a near certainty a year ago — that law firms would fully and permanently embrace work-from-home — is experiencing a seeming reversal. While many firms have, in fact, embraced hybrid operations, the meaning of hybrid has evolved from "office optional," to an average required 2 days a week, to now many firms coming out with four-day work week mandates — this time, with teeth.
This year at Legalweek, there was little doubt on what the annual takeaway topic would be. As much as I tried to avoid it for fear of beating the proverbial dead horse, it was impossible not to talk about generative AI, ChatGPT, and all that goes with it. Some fascinating discussions were had and many aspects of AI were uncovered.
RPAPL ' 1331 and RPAPL ' 1403 Notices of Pendency are requisite elements for foreclosing a mortgage. <i>See, Chiarelli v. Kotsifos</i>, 5 A.D.3d 345 (a notice of pendency is a prerequisite to obtaining a judgment in a mortgage foreclosure action); <i>Campbell v. Smith</i>, 309 A.D.2d 581, 582 (a notice of pendency is required in a foreclosure action under RPAPL Article 13). In contrast, an ex parte CPLR Article 65 Notice of Pendency (the "Notice") is not required but it is a significant tool in an action claiming title to, or an interest in or the use or enjoyment of, another's land. The filer does not have to make a meritorious showing or post a bond. Article 65 provides mechanisms for the defendant-owner to vacate the Notice that caused an unilaterally imposed restraint on its realty. But, recent case law establishes the near futility of such efforts if the plaintiff has satisfied the minimal statutory requisites for filing the Notice.
