In a Federal Register notice dated January 12, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is seeking comments on proposed amendments to its Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (“Jewelry Guides”). Companies are encouraged to submit comments to the FTC before the changes are finalized as these proposed changes may have a significant impact on current marketing practices. Comments are due by April 4, 2016. In July 2012, the FTC initiated a regulatory review of the Jewelry Guides which yielded...

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January 16, 2016, marked “Implementation Day” for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached by the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and Iran. Prior to Implementation Day, the U.S. Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) prohibited foreign entities that are owned or controlled by U.S. persons from supplying goods or services to Iran.  31 C.F.R. § 560.215.  A foreign entity is “owned or controlled” by a U.S. person if...

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According to the Buffalo News, supermarket operator Ahold USA will be closing two New York warehouse facilities some time this year. The story notes that the firm will lay off 600 employees by August and close locations in Cheektowaga and Lancaster, New York. The location to watch is the one in Cheektowaga. The Meridian Business Center at 1 Scrivner Drive is the current location of Ahold's American Sales warehouse, which is one of the two slated for closure. The Meridian Business...

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On 15 December 2015, the European Council, the EU Commission and the EU Parliament reached an agreement on a reform of the European data protection law within the framework of the so-called “trialogue negotiations”. The package consists of the General Data Protection Regulation and a Data Protection Directive. The General Data Protection Regulation is aimed at providing EU citizens with better control over their personal data. Important points are: • Explicit consent of the customers to the use of their data •...

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Friday, April 1, 2016 marks the opening of the filing period for new H-1B petitions to be counted against the annual H-1B quota for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. H-1B petitions subject to the annual quota, commonly known as the “H-1B cap,” can be submitted on this date for an employment start date of October 1, 2016 or later. To prepare for the FY 2017 H-1B filing period, employers should identify current and future employees who will need H-1B visa...

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Financial regulation is constantly evolving with ever more byzantine, copious and intrusive rules, whose reach is ever-widening. This environment, alongside the competitive nature of the globalised economy and the current focus on emerging forms of trading and financing in the "shadow" economy, creates a difficult and complex world for financial services firms and transactions. Typical regulatory issues for corporate deals Below are a few examples of areas where early-stage regulatory input is key to an effective corporate deal: Financial promotion: The "financial...

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Did you know that you can use EU and national competition rules to your advantage by intervening in merger investigations or bringing a complaint against competitors, customers or suppliers allegedly involved in anti-competitive or abusive practices? You can get the European Commission (Commission) or other relevant national competition authorities on your side to help tackle anti-competitive behaviour by players in your industry. Let’s take a look at mergers… Occasionally a deal is announced that will result in competitive and commercial risks...

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Application Deadline: January 25, 2016 IIE is pleased to announce the 2016 call for applications for the IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarship Program. Through this program IIE will provide incentive grants of $7,500 to campuses to be used for study abroad scholarships for their students (including internships and service learning opportunities) that take place between Fall 2016 through Summer 2017. These grants are in support of pledged efforts by U.S. colleges and universities who are Generation Study Abroad partners. They...

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