Jackson Kelly Members Michelle Wooton and Brian Jett recently had an article published appearing in ALI CLE’s The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, which you can find on their website, www.ali-cle.org, and it is attached here in a PDF.
The article looks at 13 questions on liquidated damage remedies in real estate purchase contracts under the laws in West Virginia.
The NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors approved new guidance on name, image, and likeness activities. The guidelines, approved on October 26, 2022, clarify how and when schools, coaches, and staff may be involved with athletes’ endorsement and sponsorship deals. Technically, the NCAA did not approve new rules. Instead, the NCAA issued guidance intended to clarify the existing NCAA policy.
Intellectual property (IP) provides some of the largest value to many companies. But protecting that property through patents can prove to be expensive, while failing to protect some crucial IP like customer lists. In lieu of patents, many companies should consider classifying IP as a trade secret, which enjoys protection under U.S. law and can often be obtained at far lower costs.
There are three types of securities offerings: registered, exempt, and illegal. When raising capital for a start-up business, many entrepreneurs are very surprised to learn that there is no “friends and family” exemption under the securities laws. Often, entrepreneurs speak of raising money from a “friends and family” offering. “Friends and family” only identifies to whom the offering is made. It…
There needs to be clear rules of the road for disclosing climate risk.” SEC Chair Gary Gensler
“We are not the Securities and Environment Commission – at least not yet.” Commissioner Hester M. Peirce
On March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) proposed its long-awaited and groundbreaking rules intended to standardize and enhance climate-related disclosures for domestic…
On June 27, 2022, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari to possibly resolve the circuit split concerning the effect closing a bankruptcy sale under 11 U.S.C. § 363 has on appeals involving the sale order. MOAC Holdings LLC v. Transform Holdco LLC, 21-1270 (Sup. Ct.)In MOAC, Mall of America is challenging the bankruptcy court’s decision in the Sears bankruptcy to allow the buyer to…
On June 21, 2022, The Ohio State University (OSU) added to their $12.5 million-dollar annual trademark and licensing portfolio by officially receiving a registered trademark for the word “THE” from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This does not mean every commercial use of the word “THE” must be licensed from OSU. Instead, the trademark is limited to “clothing, namely, t-shirts,…
Federal trademark owners can provide added protection for their mark by recording the registration on the Principal Register with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). This cost-effective method helps address infringing products imported into the United States. In 2020, CBP seized 26,503 shipments of counterfeit goods worth more than $1.3 billion. The CBP also arrested 203 individuals,…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) announced it will raise most of its trademark filings fees and implement new fees as of January 1, 2021. These higher costs will impact every aspect of trademark prosecution, including appeal, cancellation, and opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. With filing fees increase, trademark owners should review their…
On August 26, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expanded the definition of “accredited investor” to allow persons with certain professional experience to invest in private offerings. The “accredited Investor” definition is one of the main tests for determining who is eligible to participate in a private offering under Rules 506(b) and 506(c) of Regulation D. Before the…
In response to COVID-19, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has taken a variety of actions to assist and advise registered companies. These actions include:
Extending deadlines for the release of annual reports by certain companies
Providing guidance on facilitating shareholder engagement, including through virtual annual meetings
Providing guidance on the proper disclosure of material…