Looks Can Be Deceiving (and Costly): The Legal Implications of Counterfeit Products to a Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
October 05, 2005
The World Health Organization has estimated that drug counterfeiting affects 5-8% of all drugs, representing approximately $10-$15 billion to the U.S. pharmaceutical market alone. The Food and Drug Administration has estimated that approximately 10% of the drugs in worldwide distribution are counterfeit, with most being sold in developing countries. Not surprisingly, the most commonly counterfeited drugs are those with the largest sales, as well as drugs with high profit margins and drugs that are easier to counterfeit.
Utilizing a Unique Communications Platform: Video Conferencing
October 03, 2005
With so many efficiency-boosting technologies available today to help you manage and grow your law firm, it is sometimes difficult to identify the right ones to implement. Given recent trends, it is abundantly clear that law firms are focusing their investments on technologies that can have the greatest impact on growing their bottom line. Due to its numerous benefits, including significant productivity gains, cost savings and employee safety, video conferencing is at the top of the list.
Business Development: The Ethical Boundaries
October 03, 2005
In recent years, business development has meant different things in different segments of the American legal community. To some attorneys, extensive media campaigns and billboards are the preferred method. To others, in the mass tort context for example, the aggressive pursuit of victims and their families has been all too commonplace. Elsewhere, Web sites and computer chat rooms have supplemented or supplanted the traditional firm brochures and client seminars. <br>In reaction to these trends, a number of jurisdictions have revamped their business development ethics rules in recent years. Unfortunately, the necessarily "one size fits all" approach to explicit rules has led to some curious and counterintuitive results. In states that forbid direct in person contacts with non-clients who aren't lawyers, for example, it may make sense to prevent attorneys from badgering widows and orphans. But these same rules likewise prevent lawyers in such states from telephoning a sophisticated, educated company president.
Net News
October 03, 2005
Court Rules Against KaZaA <br>Internet Oversight Board OKs New Domains
Cases of Note
October 03, 2005
Recent rulings of interest in Internet law. This month:<br>'Click Fraud' Suit Against Google Sent Back to State Court <br>Reverend Falwell Loses Infringement Web Site Claim <br>Mixed Ruling in Illinois-Based Spyware Class Action
Justice Department Conducts International Internet Piracy Sweep
October 03, 2005
The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, recently announced a far-reaching and aggressive international enforcement action against criminal organizations involved in the illegal online distribution of copyrighted material.
For Whom The Bell Tolls: Corporate Data Security Breaches Affect All
October 03, 2005
Names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, and various types of financial information are among the most common casualties in a growing number of data security breaches at leading organizations across the country. It seems that every week, a new corporate data security breach involving the loss or disclosure of personal information is reported in the media. This is a phenomenon that does not discriminate: It touches all businesses, whether retailers, information brokers, financial institutions, universities, or healthcare companies. And thanks to a relatively recent California privacy law requiring that affected individuals be notified of the breach, the press eventually tolls the bell for all to hear. <br>With each revelation, calls have increased for government investigations and new state and federal legislation.
Web Sites Offer Useful Resources for Media Lawyers
October 03, 2005
Journalists in jail. Record-setting libel verdicts. Secret government documents. Closed-door meetings. The lawyers who represent the news media have had their hands full. But one item of good news for media lawyers is that several Web sites offer useful resources and support.
International Film Production Incentives
October 03, 2005
Given the ever-increasing expense of filmmaking in the United States, and particularly in California, many filmmakers have looked for alternatives to the traditional Hollywood-based production. While this trend originally was for smaller-budget and independent films, more and more producers and large studios have sought alternate locations in which to film. While certain U.S. states like Hawaii, New Mexico and New York provide tax incentives and other ancillary location benefits, these states haven't generally been as successful in luring so called "runaway production" as have countries with incentives that may be available.
