News

Out With The Old, In With The Gatsby Sequels: Trademark and Copyright News for the New Year

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

Most of us were thrilled to see the calendar turn to 2021 on January 1, closing the chapter on what was an extremely challenging year around the globe.

City Planning Holds First Public Hearing for its Citywide Hotel Special Permit Text

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

In follow up to the New York City Department of City Planning’s (DCP), January 22nd, public hearing on the Draft Scope of Work for the City’s proposed Hotel Special Permit text amendment, there were several speakers both in support of and in opposition to the proposed legislation.

OSHA Releases COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Guidance

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

On January 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued detailed health and safety guidance to inform employers and employees of recommended strategies to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

NTSB Reports First Responders at Risk in Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Fires

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

Imagine a situation in which a team of firefighters responding to a vehicle fire cannot extinguish the flames. Gallon after gallon of water does not douse them. Pile after pile of foam fails to finish them off. The car keeps burning, and the smoke keeps coming.

The Trump Administration Suffers Yet One More Judicial Defeat; The “Secret Science” Rule Is Vacated

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

Last month, I noted that the Trump administration had suffered “one final judicial defeat” – the rejection of its Affordable Clean Energy Rule. Of course, I spoke to soon.

2021 Insights: Brexit

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

UK Follows Global Trend To Enhance National Security Protections - The U.K. is the latest G-8 nation to propose enhanced protections against certain types of foreign direct investment. A proposed law before Parliament comes amid the U.K.'s separation from the EU.

Patent Owner Granted Leave in IPR to Seek Correction of Claims Held Indefinite in Parallel District Court Litigation

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board recently granted a patent owner’s request to seek a certificate of correction for certain claims of a patent undergoing an inter partes review (“IPR”).

2021 Changes to New York Paid Family Leave

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

The New York Paid Family Leave (PFL) program took effect in January 2018 and featured annual increases to its benefit entitlements through 2021. Effective January 1, 2021, the PFL maximum duration to which an employee may be entitled increased from 10 weeks to 12 weeks.

2021 Insights: Litigation/Controversy

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

Despite Pandemic-Related Disruptions, Securities Class Action Filings Remain High With No Signs of Slowing - Despite unprecedented disruptions to the court system from the COVID-19 pandemic, plaintiffs continued to bring securities class actions at elevated levels in 2020 — a sign that filings

CFPB Issues Final Rule on Higher-Priced Mortgage Loan Escrow Exemption

By EsqSocial Corporation 02/02/21

The CFPB recently issued a final rule to amend Regulation Z to exempt certain insured depository institutions and insured credit unions from the requirement to establish escrow accounts for certain higher-priced mortgage loans....

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