News

Feds Announce New Loan Guarantees for Clean Energy Projects

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new loan guarantee program in July to facilitate the financing of energy projects in the U.S. that employ innovative and renewable or efficient energy technologies that avoid, reduce or sequester...

Special Alert: Recent Regulatory Actions Impacting Virtual Currency Ecosystem

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

On July 17, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) proposed a rule intended to govern the virtual currency marketplace. The proposed rule is extremely broad and as currently drafted would appear to capture products provided by...

Justin Bieber settles another case, faces more anger management classes

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

Teen pop singer Justin Bieber has settled another case, this one reportedly involving a luxury-car drag race. The singer agreed to pay $50,000, take 12 hours of private anger management instruction and watch videos about the danger of driving under the influence.

Suit claims boiler room operation recruited plaintiffs in alleged law firm mortgage rescue scam

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

The states of Florida and Connecticut have obtained a temporary restraining order in a suit claiming two law firms and related defendants collected at least $4.7 million in upfront fees from consumers in an alleged mortgage rescue scam.

Regulators release Statements of Intent

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

The Australian Government (via The Treasury) has published Statements of Expectations for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments...

Small town sues all 61 voters over election issues, asks judge to order defendants into court

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

In a highly unusual Colorado case, Montezuma and its clerk have filed suit against all 61 of the small town's registered voters.

EEOC Issues Guidance Requiring Employers to Provide Reasonable Accommodations to Pregnant Women

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

What you need to know: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently issued Guidance relating to pregnancy in the workforce. The Guidance contains significant changes in the interpretation of laws affecting pregnant workers, including the...

News from Abroad: The Regretful Patentee -- The Re-Emergence of File Wrapper Estoppel & Equivalence in the UK

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

For the best part of 10 years, since the judgment of Lord Hoffmann in Kirin-Amgen v Hoescht Marion Roussel, it has been widely assumed that there is no file wrapper estoppel in the UK and no doctrine of equivalents either. Both these assumptions are...

A Lesson on the ADA: Engaging in Good Faith in the Interactive Process is Essential

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

Understanding the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state and local laws is easy: employers cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities. However, navigating the reasonable accommodation requirements under these...

OIG Approves Manufacturer’s Direct-to-Patient Discount Sales Program

By EsqSocial Corporation 13/08/14

The Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) recently posted an Advisory Opinion approving a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s direct-to-patient product sales program. While this Advisory Opinion cannot be relied upon by anyone other than the requestor, it...

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