Combatting Patent Trolls
December 01, 2024
A subject of extensive debate within the U.S. patent system has been the classification of “patent trolls” — most widely defined as individuals or companies that acquire patents solely for the purpose of assertion, often in cases without any merit, but which leverage the high cost of patent litigation defense to force small settlements.
4 Steps to Safeguard Against Individual Liability for Data Security Failures
December 01, 2024
With cyberattacks on the rise and class actions arising from cyberattacks being filed at an increased rate, executives and board members increasingly face the risk of being individually targeted in lawsuits brought by class action plaintiffs and governmental bodies alleging individual liability for data security failures.
The Top 7 Marketing Trends Legal Marketers Need to Watch In 2025
December 01, 2024
As we move into 2025, legal marketers face a rapidly evolving landscape where technology, data, and client expectations intersect — and it’s just the right time of year for making lists! Here are the top 7 trends we are seeing as shaping the future of legal marketing in the coming year.
No Guarantee NY's Guaranty Law Survives Constitutional Scrutiny
December 01, 2024
After nearly four years of litigation, the Second Circuit held recently that a small commercial landlord lacked standing to seek declaratory relief against the City of New York challenging the Guaranty Law under the Contracts Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
High Court May Limit the Reach of the Wire Fraud Statute
December 01, 2024
On Dec. 9, 2024, the Supreme Court will hear argument in Kousisis v. United States, a case that will again review the reach of the federal mail and wire fraud statutes. At issue this time is the so-called “fraudulent inducement” theory of property fraud — namely, whether deception to induce a commercial exchange can constitute mail or wire fraud, even if the infliction of economic harm on the alleged victim was not the object of the scheme.
Navigating ‘Click to Cancel’ Regulations
December 01, 2024
Automatic renewals have become a preferred method of goods and service delivery for many businesses, particularly in the context of e-commerce. The patchwork of state and federal laws and regulations makes absolute compliance a difficult proposition for many companies. In a purported effort to provide clarity to companies regarding their compliance obligations in this space, the FTC recently finalized its Rule Concerning Recurring Subscriptions and Other Negative Option Programs. While the Final Rule has reached the last stage of the FTC’s rulemaking process, questions remain.
Inconvenient Bankruptcy Appeals
December 01, 2024
Bankruptcy courts are not infallible, and their rulings should be reviewable. But too many district courts and bankruptcy appellate panels (BAPs) regularly refuse to review nonfinal bankruptcy court orders for questionable reasons.
NY Revised Cybersecurity Regulation Goes Into Effect: What You Need to Know
December 01, 2024
On November 1, significant revisions to the regulations enforced by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) — the state’s financial services regulator — went into effect. The DFS revisions create a long-arm provision in that the changes affect not only New York State companies, but also their affiliates, and therefore the revisions could have an impact far beyond New York State borders.
