The National Association of Realtors (NAR) introduced substantial rules related to real estate commission that went into effect in August 17, 2024. The rules were introduced as a response to class action lawsuits brought by price fixing. Partner Darrin S. Baim expounds upon the recent rule changes.

In April, the Federal Trade Commission issued a rule banning non-compete agreements for most American workers. The rule, which was scheduled to take effect on September 4, 2024, was immediately attacked in court. This week, a federal court enjoined the FTC from enforcing the rule, calling it an unauthorized overreach by the FTC.

Effective January 1, 2025, Illinois employers with fifteen or more employees will now be required to provide pay scale and benefits in any job posting.

The debt limit for small businesses wanting to reorganize under subchapter V and individuals wanting to reorganize under chapter 13 has significantly decreased.

In this alert, Melanie Kanakis explains the recent amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) that went into effect on August 1, 2024. The amendments are intended to remedy inconsistencies created from recent rulings by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Joseph S. Trytten chosen as the Vice-Chair of the Estate and Gift Tax Committee of the Real Property, Trusts, and Estate Section of the American Bar Association.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed the decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that contractual obligation to redeem the stock of a closely held corporation did not create a liability that would offset the value of the life insurance policies that were owned by corporations. In this article, Brian Whitlock addresses the recent Supreme Court decision on entity redemption agreements that are funded with life insurance policies owned by the redeeming entity. Brian examines the result of this decision and cautions what family business advisors can do potentially help their clients.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently updated guidance on patent subject matter eligibility to provide greater clarity and consistency with evaluating subject matter, specifically with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Anthony Wenn discusses the background and claims of three new examples that help with providing clarity with the new guidance.

In this intellectual property alert, Beverly Berneman examines the new Illinois law protecting revenues generated by using children in influencer content.

This article, written by Anthony Wenn and Jonathan Morton, covers the nuanced complexity of copyright and probate law and walks through the importance of documentation and communication when dealing with the probate process.

Anthony Wenn explains the new rule introduced by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to streamline patent adjudication and promote a more transparent, consistent, and efficient system.

Golan Christie Taglia is pleased to announce the addition of Melanie Kanakis to the firm.

In this week’s IP Blawg, partner Beverly A. Berneman explains why copyrighting creative work identifying the correct work in a copyright application is important and how not doing so can backfire on a creator.

This article, written by Anthony J. Wenn, Frank Brefo and Sarah K. Dunkley, was chosen for publication by the Illinois State Bar Association for its Intellectual Property Law Journal. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a 'Draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights' (the Draft Framework) in accordance with the diverse actions through the Biden-Harris Administration to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs. The article explores the link and consequences between the Draft Framework and the Bayh-Dole Act.

In part II of his article, A Practical Guide to Life Insurance, Brian Whitlock continues his in-depth review of life insurance, this time focusing on the income and estate tax aspects. He explores potential traps with how life insurance contracts should be owned and where death benefits should flow.

GCT’s Intellectual Property Group hosts an informational webinar - "Trademark Challenges: Swords and Shields"

In this article, Kimberlee Jones addresses how the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 and the Uniform Trade Secrets Act used in unison can perpetuate the protection of companies’ secrets likely being lost through the outlawing of non-competes.

Anthony J. Wenn has been selected by the Illinois State Bar Association to serve as a member on the Intellectual Property Section Council for 2024-2025.

Joseph S. Trytten has been chosen to speak on the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust, and Estate’s Section’s 36th Annual National CLE Conference. The panel will be held on May 10th in the South American room at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. from 10:30-11:30am.

This is the first in a new series of articles by Golan Christie Taglia (“GCT”) exploring the limitations of Artificial Technology when drafting legal documents. In this installment, Bradley Lohsl, Anthony Wenn, and Sarah Dunkley explore employment agreements and the issues that could arise from using AI.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a new rule on April 23, 2024, banning non-compete agreements in the United States for most American workers.

Golan Christie Taglia will host an IP webinar designed to give an overview of trademark challenges.

In the recent installment of her IP Blawg, partner Beverly A. Berneman discusses the language in a trademark co-existence agreement and the effects it had on two companies with similar trademarks.

In this companion piece to last week’s IP Blawg article, partner Beverly Berneman continues her examination of Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes, with an in-depth look at the recent ELVIS act that will go into effect in Tennessee on July 1, 2024.

Brian Whitlock breaks down Life Insurance in his recent TAXES – The Tax Magazine article, “A Practical Guide to Life Insurance – Part I: Understanding Terminology and Uses”.