Practice Area Blogs & Digests

There has been a bloom of data analytics tools for patent practice, and some new features of these tools have profoundly enhanced patent practice. Here are five examples of how applicants and their attorneys can improve day-to-day patent strategy using the latest data analytics tools.

New dollar amounts for exemptions under the Bankruptcy Code took effect on April 1, 2019, and apply to all cases filed on or after that date. Ryan Murphy prepared a table that summarizes these updated Bankruptcy Code amounts and also compares the Bankruptcy Code exemptions with the Minnesota state-law exemptions.

After the Ninth Circuit in In re Taggart set a new and narrow precedent regarding exactly what a creditor must do in order to be subject to civil contempt sanctions for a violation of the discharge injunction, the ball is now with the U.S. Supreme Court to determine what influence that extraordinary opinion will have on other courts.

In a case that may end up before the Supreme Court, the Second Circuit recently analyzed the extraterritorial application of the fraudulent transfer laws found in the Bankruptcy Code on transfers made outside the U.S. between transferors and transferees both located outside of the U.S.

In a recent decision, a gardening supply store was denied bankruptcy protection due to its business model, which targeted marijuana growers in states that have legalized its use.

On March 20, the SEC announced that it had adopted final rules to modernize and simplify certain disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K.

On April 1, the SEC issued guidance to assist registrants in complying with the new rules and procedures governing the redaction of exhibits.

The SEC recently updated its compliance and disclosure interpretations (CDIs) to provide guidance on what disclosure of directors’ self-identified diversity characteristics is required under Item 401 of Regulation S-K and, with respect to director nominees, under Item 407.

The proposed legislation would require any proxy statement relating to the election of directors to include disclosure of certain self-identified diversity characteristics of the company’s directors, director nominees and executive officers.

Two new publications by Deloitte and Ernst & Young provide useful data to assist boards in comparing their own composition, views and practices to those of other boards.