Regulation

Talk about winning on a technicality. In a copyright infringement case brought by photographers who sued Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. over the allegedly unapproved use of their photos, Chief Judge Loretta Preska of Manhattan federal district court ruled in May that the works at issue had not been properly registered. Judge Preska threw out most of the photographers' claims in her 24-page ruling.

Those of us involved in e-commerce pay particular attention when online sellers are involved, such as the report that the same e-seller sold a gun or accessories to two well-publicized killers. This year, however, there is an additional legal twist.

There is, as yet, no consensus on whether defense counsel in medical malpractice proceedings have the right to interview plaintiffs' treating physicians through ex parte interviews to which plaintiffs and their counsel are not invited.

In Association for Molecular Pathology v. USPTO, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York invalidated patents related to isolated BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes. The surprising aspect of the decision was the reason for invalidity ' the district court held that the isolated genes did not constitute patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. ' 101.

Comcast Corp.'s courthouse victory over the FCC in April might not turn out to be a win for the company after all if it speeds the path for wider regulation of broadband services. In a move that some say would spark the "World War III" of communications law, advocates for consumers and content providers want the FCC to reclassify Internet service providers as telephone-style common carriers.

In the wake of a stinging defeat in court, the Federal Communications Commission finds its ability to regulate the Internet in question, its signature "net neutrality" initiative hanging by a thread. Now, the agency faces several unpalatable options.

Getting married, losing a spouse, or getting divorced can impact federal income tax reporting in a variety of ways. Application of certain rules may suggest taking certain actions.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act imposes significant new responsibilities on employers and employer-sponsored group-health plans. Herein is a complete rundown on what to expect and when.