Member News, News

FBT Gibbons | What Do Policy Changes at the USPTO Mean for Patent Prosecution in 2026?

Patent practitioners have been curious as to whether any of the economic efficiencies announced and enacted by the federal government also have been implemented at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). For instance, when the Department of Government Efficiency was actively trying to find ways to cut government waste, how many, if any, changes were earmarked for the USPTO? It should be stated up front that the USPTO is funded by user fees and is considered one of the...

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Chapter News, News

ECB | Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe for Hiring in Europe Today?

Blog | Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and the workplace is no exception. But will it empower workers, or is it set to replace them? This blog post looks at the impact of AI use and investment on firms’ current and future hiring and firing decisions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly influence firms’ production processes. It could also profoundly reshape employment and the labour market. But how exactly? On the one hand, AI could replace workers, leading to a...

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Member News, News

Ogletree Deakins | EU Pay Transparency Directive Deadline Fast Approaching

As the June 2026 deadline for transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970) draws closer, employers across the European Union are preparing for a significant shift in pay equity practices. The directive aims to strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value, and it introduces a harmonised set of transparency and reporting obligations that will apply to organisations across all EU member states. Quick Hits Employers across the EU are preparing for the June...

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Chapter News, News

European Commission | Questions and Answers on the Industrial Accelerator Act

What is the Industrial Accelerator Act and why is the Commission proposing it? The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is a legislative proposal designed to strengthen Europe's industrial base by boosting manufacturing, growing businesses, and creating jobs in the EU. It delivers on the recommendations of the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, the political guidelines of the Commission, and the mission entrusted to the Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. The IAA mobilises public procurement and public incentives to boost demand for low-carbon and European-made products...

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Chapter News, News

IMF | Can Advanced Economies Avoid Debt Distress?

Countries must shift toward fiscal discipline and reforms that raise long-term growth. Many highly indebted advanced economies face a grim fiscal outlook. Under current policies, the public debt ratios of countries including Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States are set to deteriorate over the next two decades. They still have room to borrow, but there are limits. So far, financial markets have been forgiving. But recent tremors suggest that they may become more sensitive to negative news about...

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Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Jaguar Freight | The Impact of U.S Trade Policy and Expectations for Transatlantic Trade Post-IEEPA Tariffs

It’s an understatement to say it’s been a chaotic year for global trade. For much of 2025 and early 2026, supply chain professionals, importers, and multinational companies have been operating in an environment defined by policy shifts, unclear exemptions, and significant cost volatility. Against that backdrop, the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20 decision on the legality of the IEEPA tariffs was widely anticipated as a turning point, with many on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean hoping for clarity...

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Member News, News

EIB | President Calviño: Going Big, Going Fast

EIB Group President Nadia Calviño offcially opens the 2026 edition of the EIB Group Forum. Your Royal Highness, Monseigneur, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, Welcome to this year’s EIB Group Forum! It is such a pleasure to be in the company of so many friends, committed policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and civil society champions in this annual gathering in Luxembourg. Let me start by thanking the EIB Group’s teams that organised this great event. Like every year, they put a lot of effort and put their hearts into bringing such an impressive lineup of speakers – of thinkers...

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Member News, News

Stephenson Harwood | Data and Cyber Update – February 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of the Stephenson Harwood Data and Cyber Update, covering the key developments in data protection and cyber security law in February 2026. In data regulation news, the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (“EDPS”) issue a joint Opinion on the Digital Omnibus Regulation proposal; and the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) publishes its data protection complaints guidance. In cybersecurity news, Ofcom fast-tracks its decision on online safety proposals, as UK regulators...

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Member News, News

Laura Devine Immigration | FY 2027 H-1B Registration Opens Soon: What Employers Need to Know

With USCIS having now announced the FY 2027 H‑1B cap lottery registration dates, this is an opportune time to revisit the H‑1B registration process and highlight key considerations for employers as the registration period opens next month. As discussed in our January 2026 article on major policy changes affecting the FY 2027 H‑1B cap, this year’s registration cycle introduces significant new complexities, making early and strategic preparation more critical than ever for employers seeking to sponsor foreign national talent. FY 2027...

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Member News, News

Noerr | EU Foreign Investment Screening Reform: Key Elements of the Newly Published Proposal

On 10 February 2026, the European Parliament, Commission and Council of the European Union (“Council”) have published a Proposal for a Regulation on the screening of foreign investments in the European Union (“Proposal”) which follows the provisional political agreement reached in December 2025. The Proposal is expected to be formally approved in spring 2026 by the European Parliament and the Council and is intended to replace the existing EU screening regulation. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Proposal is...

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