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In Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection v. Townstone Financial, Inc ., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) brought suit against Townstone, a mortgage broker/lender, and its co-founder and chief executive, Barry Sturner (“Sturner”) for alleged violations of the Equal Credit...
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create works of art creates interesting legal challenges to the protection of intellectual property. A copyright infringement class action lawsuit has been filed against providers of AI software that is used to generate visual works of art based on...
On December 15, 2022, the National Labor Relations Board’s Los Angeles regional office determined that an unfair labor practice charge (ULP) alleging that student-athletes should be classified as employees has “merit.” The National College Players Association filed the ULP in February 2022 against...
As always, the new year also brings many new employment laws for California employers. Except as indicated below, they become effective January 1, 2023. The following is a summary of state laws only. Employers need to remember that local jurisdictions frequently have higher requirements that must be...
On November 4, 2022, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Amgen v. Sanofi, No. 21-757, agreeing to review, “whether enablement is governed by the statutory requirement that the specification teach those skilled in the art to ‘make and use’ the claimed invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, or whether it...
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create works of art and inventions raises interesting legal challenges to the protection of intellectual property (IP). The plain language of the Copyright Act and Patent Act present obstacles to inventors and artists who may use or be AI systems. Recent...
On October 25, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about its new “Know Your Rights” poster that it had issued that had been available for upload on October 19, 2022. The FAQs clarify: There is not a specific deadline for employers to...
On October 19, 2022, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an updated poster that must now be posted. The new poster, which is titled “Know Your Rights”, replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster. The new poster now includes a QR code for applicants and employees to...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is grappling with determining the most effective means of regulating the buy now pay later industry. BNPL allows a consumer to obtain a product or services immediately at the time of purchase and to make installment payments on the purchase over time...
On June 29, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights released two guidance documents addressing (1) disclosures under the HIPAA Privacy Rule relating to reproductive health care (“Disclosure Guidance”), and (2) the privacy and security of reproductive health...
Counterfeiting is seldom discussed in popular culture, but as a crime it is one of the most lucrative, eclipsing even the drug trade. In 2017, counterfeiting was responsible for almost $1 trillion in illegal sales. Incredibly, counterfeiting accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. That was caused...
Another in a series of recent court decisions has made meal and rest break claims significantly more troublesome for California employers. In May 2022, the California Supreme Court held that premiums for missed meal breaks are “wages” that must be reported on wage statements and paid in a timely...