Features
Written Opinions Of Counsel: Valuable Tools for Avoiding Willful Patent Infringement
Written opinions of counsel are gaining renewed interest as a valuable tool to limit liability for willful patent infringement. A patent opinion that is competently written by a registered patent attorney sets forth the factual and legal basis for finding a patent not infringed, invalid, and/or unenforceable. However, to be effective, the timing of the rendered patent opinion may be critical.
Features
When Terms of Use Put 'Reasonably Prudent User' on Notice
On Aug. 17, 2017, the Second Circuit issued its decision in <i>Meyer v. Uber Technologies, Inc.</i>. The appeals court vacated and remanded the trial court ruling by holding that the registration process for Uber Technologies, Inc.'s mobile application formed a legal contract, Less than a month later, the Southern District relied on the <i>Meyer</i> decision in granting the defendant's motion to compel arbitration based on the fact that the design and functionality of defendant's amended terms of use placed plaintiffs' on "reasonably conspicuous notice" of the mandatory arbitration and jury trial waiver provisions.
Features
To Relocate, or Not to Relocate; Was That Even the Intriguing Question in <b><i>Bisbing</i></b>?
<b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</i></b><p>As of August 2017, the seminal case in New Jersey deciding the issue of the appropriate legal standard for a divorced parent seeking to relocate outside of the state is <i>Bisbing v. Bisbing</i>. This case is an important example that can be used to explore this topic throughout the country.
Features
Ransomware: What to Do When It Happens to You
In the event that your company is the victim of a ransomware attack, this article provides steps to be taken as part of its response to such an incident.
Features
The False Claims Act Seal: Does It Bind and Gag the Defendant?
<b><i>Part One of a Two-Part Article</i></b><p>A company that finds itself the target of a federal fraud investigation often faces the fraught question of whether it may, or even must, disclose the existence of that investigation to third parties, such as its investors, shareholders, major creditors, or insurers. The question can be even more complicated if that investigation is being pursued under the False Claims Act and arises as the result of a sealed <i>qui tam</i> complaint.
Features
9th Cir. Appellate Arguments; FL Sup. Ct. Ruling on Pre-'72 Recordings
Just a few days after the Florida Supreme Court ruled the state's common law doesn't provide pre-1972 sound recordings with rights to public performance royalties, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments on whether remasterings inject pre-1972 sound recordings with federal copyright protection.
Features
The Consequences of Imperfect Foreclosure Affirmations
Where the borrower's default is not in dispute, the First Department appears to have recognized that there is little reason to delay the inevitable foreclosure. Discussion of a case in point.
Features
Workplace Bias and Gender Pay Equity in Silicon Valley, 2017
It was only a couple of years ago that a jury rejected Ellen Pao's gender discrimination claims and rendered a defense verdict in favor of her former employer, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Now, issues of bias and pay equity are again taking center stage, with almost daily media reports about Silicon Valley's gender problem and a continuing list of companies and notable Silicon Valley figures being taken to task with allegations of inappropriate conduct toward women.
Features
Internal Whistleblowers
<b><i>SCOTUS Review of Dodd-Frank to Change the Landscape</i></b><p>In June, the Supreme Court granted <i>certiorari</i> in <i>Digital Realty Trust Inc. v. Somers</i>, to review a Ninth Circuit decision regarding SEC whistleblowing protections. The Court's ruling is highly anticipated, as it will clarify the landscape for whistleblower protections.
Features
Substantive Non-Consolidation Opinion Letters: Advice for Bankruptcy Counsel
Substantive non-consolidation opinion letters have long been a regular "check-the-box" item in large commercial real estate transactions. While substantive consolidation jurisprudence has not changed materially over the past decade, these opinion letters should not be treated lightly by borrowers or their counsel.
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