Features
Evolution of the Patent Infringement Safe Harbor
Since its enactment in 1984, the scope of the "safe harbor" provision of the patent code has been in flux. The provision is intended to exempt from infringement certain acts related to the development of drugs and medical devices that are subject to FDA regulatory approval, to enable competitors to immediately enter the market upon patent expiration. However, the contours and boundaries of the safe harbor have been a consistent source of controversy in the courts.
Columns & Departments
Development
In-depth analysis of several important cases.
Features
<i>Leadership</i>: Law Firm Marketing and Sales Leadership
Helping a firm's marketing and sales team to perform at its peak is part of the role of an effective firm leader. There are two key areas where firm leadership may play an important role.
Features
Employers Can Decline Qualifying Leave Under the FMLA
Congress enacted the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to allow employees to take necessary leave from their jobs for their own or a family member's serious health condition. Congress's intent was to help employees to "balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families, to promote the stability and economic security of families, and to promote national interest in preserving family integrity ' in a manner that accommodates the legitimate interests of employers." 29 U.S.C. ' 2601.
Features
Vendors, Keep Your Promises
A recent decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the enforceability of a provision commonly found in vendor program agreements ' that a transaction presented by the vendor to the lessor/financier is valid and enforceable.
Columns & Departments
Real Property Law
Analysis and discussion of five pivotal cases.
Features
<i>Professional Development</i>: Training Effectiveness
The best training programs produce desired behavior change in lawyers. If they were not comfortable with asking for new work before, now they are. If they never created a business development plan and followed it, now most of them will.
Features
Collecting Social Security Numbers
This article suggests a framework for ensuring compliance with the majority (albeit not all) of the applicable state laws and avoiding the financial, legal and reputational damage that can occur when SSNs are improperly collected, used or disclosed.
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