Womble Perspectives

When we think about the human body, we often consider systems we learned about in biology class, like the central nervous system, the endocrine system, or maybe even the sympathetic nervous system. But today we’re shining a light on a crucial—but relatively new discovery in human physiology called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short.   Read the full article Unlocking the Secrets of the En...

Toppan Interamerica, a Georgia-based commercial printer, has sued Whalen Furniture in California for allegedly copying its copyrighted Fitzroy Pine and Bianco Oak wood grain patterns. U.S. copyright law protects original patterns like faux wood grains, granting creators exclusive rights for up to 70 years after death or 95 years after publication. Read the full article. About the authors: Andrew B...

Trademark law sits at the heart of brand identity, often acting as a powerful shield for organizations looking to protect their logos, names, and likenesses from unauthorized use. For universities and sports teams, this becomes especially critical. Their logos and names carry immense cultural and economic value, forming a significant part of their brand identity and even their financial lifeline....

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...

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...

Today, we’re unraveling the complexities of the discretionary denials from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board - known as PTAB. If you're a patent attorney, litigator, or simply someone navigating the world of patent law, you've probably heard a lot about the Fintiv decision and how it has shaped PTAB rulings in recent years. Add to that the introduction and recent rescission of the Interi...

New Mexico has taken a significant step forward in exploring psychedelic medicine, particularly in the therapeutic use of psilocybin. On March 12, 2025, the state Senate approved Senate Bill 219, known as the Medical Psilocybin Act, with a strong bipartisan vote of 33-4. If this bill passes the state’s House of Representatives, New Mexico will join Oregon and Colorado as one of the few states to l...

On February 10, 2025, Amazon was hit with a class-action lawsuit under Washington’s groundbreaking MY Health MY Data Act. This is the very first case filed under the Act, marking a pivotal moment in data privacy litigation. Today, we’ll break down what this case is about, how Amazon’s use of Software Development Kits, commonly abbreviated as SDKs, plays into it, and what this could mean for busine...

Today, we’re exploring key elements of the Trump administration's recent executive orders on deregulation, their legal implications, and how they could reshape the competitive landscape for organizations across the U.S. If your business is in industries like technology, energy, or infrastructure, this is a must-listen for you. Read the full article Deregulation: Uncertainty and Opportunity Ab...

Today, we're diving into international trade in goods and technology. Specifically, we're exploring the evolving regulatory landscape businesses must operate in. We'll examine key regulatory tools like tariffs, export controls, sanctions, and investment restrictions, and how they affect global supply chains and business goals.   Read the full article International Trade in Goods and...

With billions in funding funneled through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, questions are now being raised about how these funds are being spent and managed.  From expanded loan and grant programs to targeted environmental justice initiatives, there's a lot to unpack. We’ll also talk about the consequences of this increased oversight for grant and loan re...

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...

Starting January 18, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented 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 themselves w...

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...

The relationship between the United States and Latin America has always had profound economic and financial implications. With geographical proximity, significant immigration interconnectivity, and trade dependencies, Latin American economies are deeply intertwined with that of the U.S.. Under a second Trump administration, the region faces both challenges and opportunities as it navigates changin...

The U.S. Department of Justice has recently narrowed its approach to enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, also referred to as the FCPA. Through a new directive issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ is shifting its focus to prioritize foreign bribery cases tied to cartels and transnational criminal organizations. This marks a significant development in FCPA enforcement and has stirr...

Announced by President Donald Trump on February 12, the Executive Order "One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations" represents a major shift in how the U.S. government implements its foreign policy. This directive demands that consular and foreign officers strictly adhere to the President's policies, warning that failure to do so may result in professional discipline or separation f...

Trademark audits are a critical tool for maintaining the reliability and integrity of a nation’s trademark register. They ensure that trademarks genuinely in use are protected, while unused marks—often called "deadwood"—are cleared to make room for new applicants. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office - that is, the USPTO - has led the charge in this domain since 2017, leveraging its audi...

In today's episode of Womble Perspectives, we’re digging into some of the recent developments of the Corporate Transparency Act, or CTA, and why its compliance requirements remain on hold—for now.   Read the full article Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Still on Hold, For Now About the authors Scott D. DeWald Andrew F. Dixon Alexander Hill Laura A. Lo Bianco Alexandria P. Murphy Mark D....

Today, we’re tackling an especially important topic for employers looking to sponsor foreign talent—the updates to the H-1B Cap Registration process and rules for 2025.    From changes in fees to new rules defining what qualifies as a specialty occupation, these updates could significantly impact how businesses hire international talent.    Read the full article H-1B Cap Registration to Open on Ma...

The world is on the brink of a revolutionary shift in how we produce and consume energy. Every policy maker, energy supplier, and commercial consumer has a role to play in this grand transition. With the release of Womble Bond Dickinson's fourth annual survey, "Energizing Tomorrow: Global Energy Transition Outlook 2025," we have a clearer picture of where we stand and where we are h...

Today, we’re diving into the world of contracts with a focus on a critical component that can save businesses when disaster strikes: the force majeure clause. Natural disasters and global crises seem to be growing both in frequency and intensity, and businesses must adapt to survive. Recent hurricanes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all disrupted industries, leaving business owners scrambl...

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...