Womble Perspectives

Do you know what happens when the legal system meets cutting-edge technology and global commerce? Well, we get cases like Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International. It’s a recent Supreme Court case that seems straightforward on the surface but raises a lot of intriguing questions—especially as we think about the future of commerce in the metaverse.   Read the full article What in the [Meta]Wo...

The commercial real estate landscape is evolving rapidly, with technology playing a key role in redefining how businesses operate. Among these technologies, revenue management software, or RMS, has gained significant traction, offering data-driven insights to optimize rental pricing. However, as promising as these tools may seem, they also introduce legal and financial risks that commercial real e...

Today, we’re breaking down a pivotal change in the regulatory landscape for Lab-Developed Tests—or LDTs. These tests are a vital part of modern healthcare, used every day for diagnosing and managing diseases, monitoring treatments, and more. Think COVID-19 tests, blood glucose testing, or even genetic screening like HIV or HPV testing.  Read the full article FDA Broadens Oversight of Lab-Developed...

Today we’re unpacking a topic that has far-reaching implications for both public health and the food industry alike—lead levels in baby food.   The FDA recently set action levels for lead in baby food, sparking conversations about safety, regulation, and even ongoing litigation.  Read the full article FDA Sets Action Levels For Lead About the authors L. Christine Lawson Jonathon A. Fligg

Today, we're zooming in on key cases decided this past year and unpacking their broader implications for the pharmaceutical industry. We’ll look at decisions that refined safe harbor provisions, imposed stricter scrutiny on certain patents, tackled Orange Book listings, and much more.  And before we close, we’ll share some insights into what the industry may encounter in 2025, so stick around...

WBD-US and WBD-UK are committed to immersing themselves in the additional capability that the combination provides, and they have been working through the opportunities that this proposition brings. The US‐UK Office Exchange program seeks to provide a training opportunity to enhance the firm’s focus in growth practice areas, build the skillsets of current attorneys, create cross‐ border peer group...

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the insights, highlights, and key takeaways from our recent event titled "What to Expect from the 119th Congress." A bipartisan panel of top Congressional staffers, as well as esteemed professionals in government affairs and Congressional investigations gathered to share their expertise and insights. Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys Lee...

In today's episode, first in a two part series, we’re going to unpack the year in review for the Hatch-Waxman Act—a critical framework in the pharmaceutical industry that continues to shape the dynamics between brand-name drugmakers and generics.   2024 has been a fascinating year, with significant trends and legal shifts that have implications for innovation, accessibility, and regulatory st...

Claim construction—essentially, the interpretation of patent claims—plays a pivotal role in the outcome of patent disputes. However, traditionally, courts have avoided addressing these issues in the early stages of litigation, such as during motions to dismiss. Why? Because these disputes often require a detailed examination of evidence and expert input. Historically, forcing claim construction to...

Permitting reform under a potential second Trump administration could shape the future of mining projects and their role in the energy transition. This administration could potentially prioritize oil, natural gas, and coal, while giving less attention to boosting renewable energy initiatives or supporting projects like electric vehicles (EVs). Despite the growing need for critical minerals in clea...

When AI creates, is it actually being creative? And who owns the rights to its inventions? Today, our episode focuses on the intersection of copyright, AI, and patent law, based on a white paper co authored by WBD's Chris Mammen, the script and recording for today's episode were produced by Google Notebook LM. Read the whitepaper Creativity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Requirement o...

Data breaches are a modern business nightmare. Not only do they compromise sensitive customer information, but they also open the floodgates for legal consequences, especially in the form of data breach class actions. Over the past year alone, data breach class action filings have tripled, with businesses across numerous industries, especially healthcare, finance, and credit rating agencies, findi...

The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, has been a cornerstone of U.S. defense legislation since its inception in 1961. While its primary purpose is to authorize defense spending and policy, the annual NDAA often serves as a vehicle for passing additional federal initiatives and regulations.  Read the full article Hidden in the NDAA: The Expanded Reach of the Program Fraud Civil Remedies...

In an exciting development, Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca have announced that the two firms are combining, creating a formidable law firm with over 1,300 attorneys across 37 offices in the US and UK. This powerful alliance became effective on January 1, 2025, and will operate under Womble Bond Dickinson, led by Chair and CEO Merrick Benn and Vice Chair Kenneth Van Winkle. Read more on our w...

In a bold move that has captured global attention, the United Arab Emirates is venturing into the gambling industry with the publication of commercial gaming regulations and licensing materials. This development marks a significant shift in the region's economic landscape and presents intriguing opportunities for investors worldwide. Read the full alert New Market, Old Rules: United Arab Emir...

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of technology-based information-gathering, navigating the key differences between tasking an individual source and asking a crowd. We unpack how the shift from traditional HUMINT collection to crowdsourcing has been made possible by technological advancements, and discuss the importance of implementing an enhanced safeguard framework for responsib...

In an exciting development, Womble Bond Dickinson and Lewis Roca have announced that the two firms are combining, creating a formidable law firm with over 1,300 attorneys across 37 offices in the US and UK. This powerful alliance, effective January 1, 2025, will operate under Womble Bond Dickinson, led by Chair and CEO Merrick Benn and Vice Chair Kenneth Van Winkle. Read more on our website. Press...

On April 30, 2024, the landscape of the cannabis industry experienced a monumental shift when the US Drug Enforcement Administration announced its decision to reclassify cannabis from a schedule I to schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances act. This move, coming after an 18 month review initiated by the Biden administration, is seen as a significant step towards acknowledging the th...

California's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has long been a critical framework for protecting consumers from abusive or unfair debt collection practices. Recently, however, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 1286 on September 24, 2024, expanding these protections to certain commercial debts. This significant legislative change has considerable implications for lenders, financial adv...

Marijuana research in the U.S. has long been hindered by regulatory challenges and scientific skepticism. Yet, recent developments suggest that the tide may be turning. Read the full article The Shifting Landscape of Marijuana Research in the US About the author Laura Kiser, Research Analyst

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the insights, highlights, and key takeaways from our recent event titled "What to Expect from the 119th Congress." A bipartisan panel of top Congressional staffers, as well as esteemed professionals in government affairs and Congressional investigations gathered to share their expertise and insights. Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys Lee...

Starting January 18, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is implementing significant changes to its trademark fee schedule. These updates are part of the USPTO's ongoing efforts to make the application process more efficient while encouraging applicants to submit complete and streamlined filings. For trademark attorneys, this is a pivotal moment to familiarize themselv...

Patents are the lifeblood of innovation, granting inventors exclusive rights to their creations while encouraging progress across industries. One key aspect that often decides a patent's fate is proof of nonobviousness—showing that an invention goes beyond what a skilled person in the field might expect based on prior knowledge. Within this realm, "unexpected results" stand as a par...

The U.S Patent and Trademark Office recently announced its finalized 2025 fee schedule, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This shift introduces significant changes, including general fee increases, new surcharges, and additional costs for certain types of applications. For patent attorneys and their clients, these updates demand close attention to ensure effective intellectual property budge...

Data privacy has evolved from being an IT afterthought to a business-critical priority. With consumers demanding greater control over their personal information, U.S. states continue to step up with new legislation—making 2025 a landmark year. Eight new state privacy laws are going into effect, joining existing frameworks like California’s CPRA. For businesses, 2025 brings both legal challenges an...