Womble Perspectives

On February 3, 2023, the East Palestine derailment dominated news headlines. The aftermath was devastating - a fire continued for several days; residents were evacuated, and health concerns plagued those who returned. The rail industry and government actors have attempted to take steps to improve rail safety, but have the significant industry-shifting reforms materialized as predicted? Read the fu...

Current market conditions may present unprecedented opportunities to purchase debt secured by distressed commercial real estate assets at potentially significant discounts. A record number of CRE secured loans are maturing at a time when owners are facing high interest rates, declining occupancy rates and correspondingly reduced cash flows and property valuations. CRE foreclosures are becoming mor...

The ELVIS Act is sparking discussions not just because of its name but for its strong stance on protecting artists' unique voices, even after their passing. But, this raises an important question: What does this mean for AI in art? As AI increasingly generates new works, including those of deceased artists, where do we draw the line? Read the alert. About the authors: Nadia G. Aram Howard W....

Recent weeks have witnessed some new developments at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. From the adoption of e-signatures to the clarification of some ambiguities, we’ve pulled together a few insights to help you make sense of these changes. Read the alert E-Signatures Soon May be Used for Patent Correspondence About the author Cory Schug -- Read the alert USPTO Addresses Ambiguities in Means-P...

Last week, senior Department of Justice leadership announced new policies and programs intended to further its “carrot and sticks” approach to corporate criminal enforcement, which has borne fruit with twice as many voluntary self-disclosures in 2023 when compared to 2021. Read the full article. About the authors: Joe D. Whitley Dr. Christian E. Mammen Luke Cass Amy P. Lyons Matthew Bellah

The global finance industry has been undergoing a significant shift in recent years, with investment patterns showing a slow but steady pivot towards Low Income, Lower Middle Income, and Upper Middle Income nations, as classified by the World Bank. This trend is supported by data indicating that investment volumes in these economies have risen consistently, reflecting the potential growth and robu...

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office recently published the results of their co-study (on the interplay between non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and intellectual property. The Report is the result of a June 2022 request from Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and incorporates feedback from a Federal Register Notice and three online public roundtables. R...

In a world where trademark owners craft their brand narratives with creativity and innovation a dark undercurrent emerges – a rising tide of scams driven by the same ingenuity and resourcefulness. As these paths of creativity and innovation intersect, trademark owners must stay vigilant in safeguarding themselves from the ever-evolving tactics of scammers seeking to deceive and defraud. Read the f...

“Honoring the Guest” is a cherished tradition in Persian culture. When you work with Jasmine Chalashtori, you’ll understand what it means. This trial-tested litigator leans heavily on her Iranian-American heritage of hospitality to ensure that her clients feel seen, heard, and represented by a strong, capable advocate. Whether it involves complex commercial litigation or white-collar criminal defe...

On March fifth, the Federal Trade Commission convened a workshop with regulators, academics and stakeholders to discuss the impact of private equity in the healthcare market. The workshop reflects both the FTC and DOJ Antitrust Division’s recent focus on private equity and serial roll-up transactions more broadly as targets for antitrust enforcement. Read the full article. About the author Ian Dic...

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to revise its rules on amendment practice under the America Invents Act. Specifically, the Office is proposing to make permanent certain provisions of their 2019 motion to amend pilot program, which is currently set to terminate in September 2024. Read the full article. About the authors: Alexande...

As we near another election cycle, the discussion on cannabis legalization will be a key debate at both state and federal levels. A November 2023 Gallup survey revealed record public support for marijuana legalization at 70%, across party lines. Looking back at 2023 advancements, how will this impact cannabis legalization as we head into the 2024 election season? Read full article. About the autho...

Our previous Client Alert discussed assessable transfers of interest or “ATIs” and Fee in Lieu of Tax “FILOT” Agreements in the aftermath of significant amendments to South Carolina’s Tax Code in 2022. As discussed previously, the sale of property located in South Carolina, or the sale of equity in an entity owning South Carolina property (among other types of transactions), typically triggers an...

As a firm, we believe our team members' unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other.  Today, we&apo...

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...

The FCC has adopted a Report and Order imposing a number of new TCPA caller and sender compliance obligations in connection with consumer revocation requests, which are applicable to calls and text messages that otherwise require consent under the TCPA and the FCC’s rules. This episode digs into the intricacies of this new law. Read the full article . About the authors: Stephen T. Sharbaugh Martin...

On February 15th, the WBD Black Affinity Group hosted a film discussion on the new movie Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay and based on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The movie explores the connections between the caste systems in the United States, India, and Nazi Germany, and how they shape our lives and society. The group moderated a lively and respectful dis...

REBROADCAST: As part of our commitment to the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, our Houston office recently launched our Art & Diversity Initiative. The office will feature a series of rotating art exhibitions from local Houston artists to create visibility and showcase their personal stories. Read about the initiative. View artwork.  

On February 2, the FCC unanimously adopted a declaratory ruling , effective immediately, confirming the seemingly unremarkable conclusion that artificial intelligence (“AI”) generated messages or voice calls fall within the TCPA’s restrictions and the FCC’s rules on the placement of artificial or pre-recorded voice calls. Read the full article. About the authors Martin L. Stern Ryan L. Gillcrist

As a firm, we believe our team members unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys, featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other. Learn more about Pr...

The USPTO has just released two new announcements concerning generative AI – one focused on submission preparation and the other dealing with ownership issues. in this episode, we'll delve into both topics in detail. Read: Patent Practitioners Take Note: (Even) if You Use AI, Read Before You File Read: USPTO AI GUIDANCE: Human vs. Machine – Humans Win … For Now About the authors: Samuel A. Sa...

In this episode, we're diving into the guidance issued by the State Bar of California regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence within the legal profession. As AI continues to transform various sectors, the legal field is no exception, and with this transformation comes the need for ethical clarity. The Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct of the California State...

Governments worldwide are intensifying their focus on compliance in financial institutions, particularly in Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering efforts. This episode explores the challenges of detecting Trade-Based Money Laundering and the role of artificial intelligence in combating this issue. It also provides an update on recent legislative developments addressing cross-border financia...

In this episode, we delve deep into the realm of bankruptcy law and the issues faced by suppliers when shipping goods to financially distressed customers.  Read the full article. About the author Edward L. Schnitzer

As a firm, we believe our team members unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other. First up, Jed Nosel...