Features
New Jersey Truth in Music Advertising Law Applies to Common Law Service Marks
Since 2004, Truth in Music Advertising statutes have been enacted in more than 26 states. These laws, aimed at preventing consumer confusion between a recording group and a performing group, set forth several conditions, at least one of which must be met to legally use the name of a music group in conjunction with a concert performance. In April 2009, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a ruling in a case that involved the constitutionality of that state's law.
Features
Coverage for Environmental Compliance Costs
With the financial crisis occupying the Obama administration, the anticipated barrage of new environmental laws, policies, and regulations has yet to materialize. When the switch is turned on, however, the costs to policyholders are likely to be substantial, and just as likely, policyholders will test whether some of those costs can be passed on to their carriers.
Features
The New Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (commonly referred to as the "CPSIA") was enacted in August 2008 in the wake of a sharp increase in recalls of children's products, particularly the recall of toys during and after the 2007 holiday season. This article provides an overview of the CPSIA, including a summary of key provisions, an update on agency rulemaking to implement the law, and an assessment of the risks and challenges related to compliance with the law.
Features
Changes Coming for Customer Personal Data
Nevada was the first state to enact a law requiring entities that transfer customer personal information outside of the secure system of the business through an electronic transmission (other than a facsimile) to use encryption. In late 2008, Massachusetts was the second state to pass such legislation; Michigan is considering similar legislation. This is an area to watch as other states could follow suit.
Features
Supreme Court Again Broadens Scope of Fair Employment Anti-Retaliation Provisions
The end of the Bush administration and the first six weeks of the Obama administration resulted in significant changes to key federal fair employment statutes.But there are also four U.S. Supreme Court decisions issued since June 2006, which have significantly expanded the scope of the anti-retaliation provisions ...
Features
<B>BREAKING NEWS:</b> Supreme Court Strengthens Arbitration in Labor Case Ruling
The Supreme Court's growing embrace of the virtues of arbitration continued on April 1 with a 5-4 ruling endorsing labor contracts that send age discrimination claims to arbitration rather than to federal courts.
Features
Is Your e-Communication Being Read?
Any way you look at it, e-communication gives you and your firm exposure in an existing or potential client market. Unlike other communication delivery methods, e-communication is the one place a law firm can actually see specific results ' from who received the communication, to whether that person actually viewed the e-mail or forwarded it on to someone else.
Features
Centralizing Stores of Information to Make Retention Policies Possible
Most law firms understand the need to plan for the implementation of records retention policies, but there has been little agreement on how to achieve this goal. Firms are acutely aware of the rising costs associated with storing physical data and the burden surrounding backup, maintenance and migration of electronic content. When faced with the need to produce information, be it at a client request or when compelled by a court, the more control a firm has over its data, the more efficient and cost effective this process will be.
Features
Democratizing the Social Networks
Social networking Web sites are hubs of information. Information about our daily activities, the people we know and the people they know. But as these hubs become more than just a virtual place for the global community to link to friends and post "what you are doing right now," we are confronted with fascinating new questions about how we define personal space, disclosures, and express preferences about our own content.
Features
Rules Governing Fax and E-mail Ads
The importance of having a robust compliance policy to review the content of proposed advertisements is well-known and widely accepted. But what may not be as familiar is the need for a separate policy focused on the means of disseminating such advertising.
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