After many attempts, it appears that clothing designs may finally gain protection in the United States. On Monday, September 10th, Senator Charles Schumer re-introduced a new version of what is now called the Innovative Design Protection Act (IDPA) to provide quasi-copyright protection to “fashion designs.”
The most significant changes under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) are scheduled to go into effect in 2014. One of those changes is the imposition of shared responsibility penalties on large employers that fail to offer health coverage to all of their full-time employees (or offer health coverage to full-time employees that is deemed to be unaffordable or inadequate).
Anthony D. Weis, a partner in the Columbus office, published this article in the Summer 2012 edition of The Bankers' Statement regarding the JOBS Act and what it means for financial institutions.
Kimberly J. Schaefer, a partner in the Cincinnati office, published this article in Summer 2012 edition of The Bankers' Statement," regarding financial institutions' use of vendors.
J. Bret Treier, a partner in the Akron office, published this article in the Summer 2012 edition of The Bankers' Statement regarding copying and removing financial institution and supervisory records from an institution.
Carey Jordan and Iona Kaiser, partners in the Houston office and members of the intellectual property group, co-authored an article for Nanotechnology Law & Business titled "Nanotechnology Patent Survey: Who Will be the Leaders in the Fifth Technology Revolution?"
On August 22, 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) adopted its final rule requiring public disclosure by certain companies that file reports with the SEC and whose products contain tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (conflict minerals).
Victor Walton and Joseph Harper, attorneys in the Vorys Cincinnati office, authored a column for Law360 about theories that have been used for calculating damages in False Claims Act (FCA) fraudulent inducement cases.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has instituted a pilot program in which it will be pulling some post-registration Declarations of Use and requesting proof of use for additional items listed in the goods/services description, instead of only one in a class, as is the custom now.
Jackie Ford, a partner in the Vorys Columbus and Houston offices, authored an article for the National Association of Independent Schools Advocate. In the article, Ford discuss two electronic challenges commonly faced by independent schools: the use of electronic background checks for employees and the policing student misconduct online.
On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, the chairman of the Ohio Industrial Commission issued a notice of changes being implemented in the policy regarding hearing continuances and hearing procedures via the publication of a temporary IC Resolution, effective from July 11, 2012 through September 8, 2012.
On June 20, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a new final rule and amendments to current proxy disclosure rules regarding compensation committees. The new rule implements compensation committee listing requirements.
Jessica Knopp, an associate in the Vorys Akron office and a member of the litigation group, authored an article for the Akron Law Journal titled “The Unconstitutionality of Ohio’s House Bill 125: The Heartbeat Bill as Analyzed Under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
On June 11, 2012, Governor Kasich signed into law Substitute SB 315 (SB 315), modifying the Ohio regulatory structure for oil and gas operations contained in Revised Code 1509.
On June 11, 2012, Governor Kasich signed into law Am. Sub H.B. 487 (H.B. 487). That legislation includes changes to R.C. 5713.03, the section of the Revised Code that pertains to the valuation of real property in Ohio.
On June 15, 2012, the secretary of homeland security announced that effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children will be considered for relief from removal or from entering into removal proceedings.
The future of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be determined by the Supreme Court decision expected this month. In the meantime, the regulatory agencies have continued to develop guidance that will apply to employers' group health plans – assuming health care reform survives intact.
Anthony D. Weis
Kimberly J. Schaefer
J. Bret Treier
Carey C. Jordan
Iona N. Kaiser
James A. Carr II
Jackie Ford
Jessica Knopp Cunning