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FTC Staff Report on Franchise Rule Attracts Many Comments
In general, commenters were supportive of the proposed rule changes and praised the FTC for its detailed approach. An introductory statement in the comment from the law firm Kaufmann, Feiner, Yamin, Gildin & Robbins LLP (New York) called the Staff Report “a remarkable effort to ascertain, and as prudent, incorporate … the desires, needs, and policy positions both of franchisors who will be regulated by the forthcoming revised Franchise Rule, and franchisees whose interests are sought to be protected and advanced thereunder.”
One indication of the overall positive reaction to the proposed changes came in the comments of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA), the organization that spearheaded the writing of the UFOC in 1993. “NASAA agrees with Commission staff that the additional disclosures suggested in the Staff Report would benefit prospective franchisees,” NASAA wrote. “We also agree that some disclosures currently required in the UFOC Guidelines could be stated more clearly, and we concur with many of the clarifications which the Commission staff proposed.” NASAA added that its members who oversee franchise issues at the state level support harmonizing the UFOC with the Franchise Rule when the Rule is completed.
Commenters who wrote from the perspective of franchisees were less sanguine about where the new regulation will wind up. They asked the FTC to take further steps to end the fundamental imbalance of power between franchisors and franchisees. For example, Erik H. Karp of Witmer, Karp & Warner LLP (Boston) termed the “Staff Report's view that that the FTC's authority does not extend to the relationship issues that predominate in franchise disputes and litigation … is simply wrong.”
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.
Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York
In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?