The Alien Tort Statute
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide the long-awaited issue of whether corporations can be liable under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), enacted by the First Congress more than 225 years ago.
Is This Really Patentable?
<b><i>Strategies to Defend Against Patent Claims by Raising Lack of Patentable Subject Matter in District Court Litigation</b></i><p>With the Supreme Court's decision in <i>Alice</i>, parties defending against a claim of patent infringement gained a potential way to find an early resolution to patent litigation.
Copyright Royalty Board Gets E-Filing System
The Library of Congress' Copyright Royalty Board, the panel of three judges who set copyright royalty rates and settle related disputes, announced the launch of an electronic filing and case management system in an effort to streamline its manual and cumbersome case management processes.
The Equal Pay Act
In 2017, 25 states and the District of Columbia are considering legislation that would prohibit employers from asking job candidates about past salaries. But the Ninth Circuit recently affirmed a 35-year-old decision at a time when the rest of the country is moving to bridge the gender wage equality gap.
Substantive Non-Consolidation Opinion Letters
<b><I>Considerations for Bankruptcy Counsel</I></b><p>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.
Development
Analysis of cases involving the Open Meetings Law, parkland fees, development fees, and a challenge to an ordinance's constitutionality.
The Latest Trend in Employment Law: Banning Salary History Inquiries
Add salary history to the growing list of inquires off limits to those who interview and evaluate prospective job candidates. Several cities and states have passed legislation that, broadly, prohibits a prospective employer in the private sector from asking questions about an applicant's compensation history.
<b><i>Online Extra</b></i><br> Disney, App Partners Hit With Suit Under Child Privacy Law
The Disney Princess Palace Pets app allows children to play with, bathe and accessorize about 10 different virtual pets. Sounds innocent enough. But according to a new lawsuit, The Walt Disney Co. and its software partners are illegally using the app — and dozens of others aimed at kids — to track the online activity of youngsters to serve them targeted ads.
