Federal law forces banks to reassess their garnishment procedures
Until recently, bank personnel had no reason to check the source of a customer’s deposits before enforcing a garnishment order. In the wake of an increase in illegal garnishments, this is no longer the...
Filer Beware: Proof of Claim changes may lead to increased sanctions
The proof of claim form creditors file to evidence claims in bankruptcy has undergone a serious facelift to comply with amended Bankruptcy Rule 3001(s) and new Rule 3002.1, and the results mean increased burdens...
Private Company Charged with Securities Law Fraud by SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent charges against Steifel Laboratories (“Steifel Labs” or the “Company”), and its former controlling stockholder, chairman and CEO, should serve as an important reminder to the owners, directors and...
"Like us" on Social Media! An Endorsement Under Advertising Laws?
The Federal Trade Commission has eliminated any question of whether liability can arise in connection with consumer endorsements for the obvious reason that consumers may rely on endorsements in making purchasing decisions. Any third-party...
One final lap on the fast track to clean tech U.S. patent protection
The U.S. Patent Office extended its expedited examination of patent applications pertaining to green technologies from December 31, 2011, to March 30, 2012, or until an additional 500 applications have been granted accelerated examination...
A Sobering Lesson: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Not a Formula for Profitability
An October 2011 decision by a U.S. District Court in Virginia reminds us of the perils of not following change order and claim procedures. Claims are common with construction projects and change orders are...
Is your construction project subject to the Davis-Bacon Act?
Contractors working on federal construction projects or projects involving federal funds need to know when the project is subject to the Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements. The Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. §3141 et seq.)...
Want to own a branded top-level Domain? Staking out brand space on the Internet
For the first time in history, brand owners may own a top level domain that consists of their brand. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) decided earlier this year to permit...