In two companion decisions, Highmark Inc. v. Allcare Heatlh Management System, Inc. and Octaine Fitness, LLC v. Icon Health & Fitness, Inc., SCOTUS decided that trial courts have discretion to determine attorney’s fees awarded to a successful party in patent litigation. The decisions eased previously rigorous standards and are considered a blow to “patent trolls.” A patent troll is a person or company who enforces patent rights against accused infringers in an attempt to collect licensing fees, even though he does not manufacture the products or supply the services in the patents in question.

• Lessons From A Family Business Owner
• Do We Have To Train Employees To Spot Potential Sexual Misconduct?
• Employers With Federal Contracts Must Follow New Executive Orders On Increased Minimum Wage And Anti-Discrimination
• Illinois Passes New Pregnancy Accommodation Law
• U.S. Supreme Court Decides Fee Shifting In Patent Cases
• Using Selfies For Business Promotion
• Fyretv Sues Amazon Claiming Trademark Infringement
• U.S. Supreme Court Puts Raging Bull Infringement Suit Back Into The Ring

Columbia Law School, Blue Sky Blog, featured in the Securities Mosaic® Blogwatch

In April 2012, Congress passed the JOBS Act, which included Title III that created a new securities offering exemption under Section 4(a)(6) that sets the framework for equity crowdfunding.

On January 1, 2014, the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, 410 ILCS 130/1, et seq., (the “Act”) became effective, allowing registered marijuana users to purchase marijuana from a registered, licensed dispensary. The Act specifically prohibits employers from discriminating against registered users and caregivers solely on the basis of their status as a registered user or caregiver unless discrimination is necessary to comply with federal law or the employer will lose federal funding.

Even non-union employers can be liable under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which protects certain comments by employees about their wages and working conditions. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency which enforces the NLRA, has ramped up its enforcement efforts and is targeting employers that have broad policies limiting employees’ protected speech. Specifically, the NLRB is scrutinizing employers’ social media, workplace investigation, confidentiality, media and anti-disparagement policies. For instance, the NLRB recently ruled that a blanket prohibition on employees discussing workplace investigations violated the NLRA because it bans protected speech. Employers should carefully review their policies with their attorneys in light of the NLRB’s heightened scrutiny.

Golan & Christie acts as Registered Agent with the Illinois Secretary of State for many of our corporate clients, receiving and preparing their entity’s annual reports each year. We recently received correspondence from a firm called Corporate Records Service targeting Illinois corporations in a scam to collect a fee for preparation of “Annual Minutes Record Form.”

• Is Your Business a Good Candidate for Crowdfunding?
• Illinois Employers Prohibited From Discriminating Against Registered Medical Marijuana Users
• The National Labor Relations Board Is Targeting Overly-Broad Employment Policies
• Golan & Christie Welcomes New Partner
• Statewide Corporate Scam

Northwest Herald

The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation

In our last newsletter we discussed the Supreme Court landmark decision in United States V. Windsor, in which the Court held the terms “marriage” and “spouse” cannot exclude same-sex partners. As a result of the Court’s decision, each state may determine whether or not to permit or prohibit same-sex marriages.

Beginning on January 5, 2014, individuals in Illinois can apply for permits allowing them to carry concealed weapons under the recently passed Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Business owners can prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons on company property if they post a sign indicating that the carrying of firearms is prohibited at the location.

As you’ve likely already heard, the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for employers to provide health insurance to all employees has been delayed one year. But did you remember to provide notice to your employees of the healthcare exchanges by October 1st? If not, the good news is that there’s currently no penalty for failing to issue the notice. However, that is likely to change, so you should issue the notice now to all existing employees and make sure to include it in the first day paperwork given to new employees in the future. A copy of the model notice is available on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website here: www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform/.

Congratulations to partner Beverly A. Berneman on the 10 year anniversary of her position as an adjunct professor at the John Marshall School of Law. Ms. Berneman, who received her LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from John Marshall School of Law in 2003, personally developed the two courses she teaches, Financing the Development of Intellectual Property and Bankruptcy. These courses were borne out of Ms. Berneman’s experience in the relevant areas of the law. The courses are unique and are part of the reason that John Marshall School of Law School is ranked as one of the top U.S. Intellectual Property Law programs by U.S. News and World Report.

In the Spring, 2013 issue of the Golan & Christie Newsletter, the article authored by Barry Siegal, “Estate Planning Across State Lines” noted that “…Illinois law requires two witnesses to a will and does not require that a living trust be witnessed, Florida law requires three witnesses to a will, as well as a living trust.”

• Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized For Federal Tax Purposes
• Impact Of New Concealed Carry Gun Law
• Affordable Care Act Mandate For Employers Delayed, Notice To Employees Still Required

The United States Supreme Court recently handed down two landmark decisions relating to the treatment under the law of same-sex couples.

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, may impact same-sex couples’ ability to file a joint petition for bankruptcy.

First, The Good:

On July, 2, 2013, President Obama’s administration announced a one-year delay in the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s mandate for employers that was set to take effect in 2014. Beginning on January 1, 2015 (and not in 2014), “large” employers – those that employ more than “50 full-time equivalent employees” – will be penalized if one or more of their full-time employees obtain health insurance coverage through an exchange, which is a state-established marketplace that offers qualifying individuals and employers a choice of healthcare plans that meet coverage standards.

Golan & Christie is pleased to announce a new addition to our extended family: Caleb Asher Wasserman was born on Thursday, July 18, 2013, weighing 8 pounds, 0 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. He is the second child of Golan & Christie attorney Matthew Wasserman and his wife, Lori. He joins big sister Madelyn. We wish the entire Wasserman family much health and happiness.

• The Future of Same-Sex Marriages
• How Will the Invalidation of the Defense of Marriage Act Impact Bankruptcy Filings?
• Employment Law Alerts

Your website gives customers valuable information, a place to explore your products and services and, if you engage in e-commerce, a place to buy. Almost every website owner has e-mechanisms in place to protect against hacking and unwarranted intrusions. But you should also protect the creative and unique aspects of the site.