Features

DOJ's China Initiative Poses Growing Risks for Those with Chinese Ties
In the two years since it's unveiling, the Initiative has expanded its scope from prosecutions of individuals suspected of stealing for China to those who simply have Chinese ties. The department is now increasing its mission to investigate individuals who are merely associated with Chinese recruitment programs.
Features

Ninth Circuit Upholds Most FCC Restrictions on Local Government Review of Wireless Installations
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' recent decision in City of Portland v. Unites States significantly affects the ability of local governments to regulate the installation of so called "small cell" wireless facilities and addresses the ability of wireless providers to utilize utility poles.
Features

COVID Shutdown Orders v. Statutory Rent Obligations
Even though payment of post-petition rent under a nonresidential lease (prior to rejection) has historically been an absolute requirement, bankruptcy courts, as courts of equity, have the ability during these extraordinary times to take a more flexible approach.
Features

Deciphering the USPTO's Material Alteration Standard for Amending Marks
As brands mature over time, their owners often seek to update marks that are subject to a federal registration or registration application. In some cases, the impetus for the amendment may be deliberately to freshen, tweak, or otherwise modernize the subject mark. In other cases, brand owners may recognize after the fact that their current usage of a mark does not match the mark as originally registered or applied for.
Features

Corporate Compliance Programs and the DOJ's Emphasis on Data Analytics: What Companies Need to Consider
In recent months, the Dept. of Justice has raised expectations for companies to use data analytics to monitor the effectiveness of their compliance programs and to identify potential misconduct.
Features

The Potential for Fraud or Misbehavior In the Time of COVID-19
A roundtable discussion on the topic of government investigations, corporate compliance efforts, and the potential for fraud or misbehavior in the time of COVID-19.
Features

Particularized Pleading of Underlying Illegal Acts in the Second Circuit
Gamm v. Sanderson Farms, establishes a high burden for a plaintiff to plead adequately failure to disclose illegal conduct — regardless of how much circumstantial evidence a plaintiff is able to amass or how much news coverage the alleged conduct attracts.
Features

The Updated FCPA Resource Guide
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue this second edition contains some new "hypotheticals" — facts of actual cases the DOJ finds important enough to focus on — and, in keeping true to its name, has included additional resources and links for chief compliance officers looking to design and audit their companies' anticorruption compliance programs.
Features

Lessons from the Insider Trading Prohibition Act After Its Likely Demise In the Senate
For a moment there, it really looked like it was going to happen. After a long and winding road, insider trading reform had reached the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. The Insider Trading Prohibition Act (ITPA) had support on both sides of the aisle and on Dec. 5, 2019, the House voted to pass the ITPA. Then the bill went to the Senate and vanished. We should take this opportunity to learn what lessons we can from the successes and failures of the ITPA as a bill with an eye toward fashioning the best possible legislation next time — whenever that may be.
Features

An Ounce of Prevention: Preparing for CARES Act Fraud Investigations
The government appears to be fulfilling its commitment to rooting out PPP fraud, even when the amount at issue falls below the $2 million threshold. No matter the size of the loan, a company that obtained PPP funds is not immune from a possible government investigation or audit. Borrowers have already started to submit loan forgiveness applications, and many more will be submitted in the weeks ahead, and both lenders and the government will be scouring these submissions for red flags.
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