Member News, New York Related News

Littler Mendelson | New York Enacts Greater Restrictions on Release Agreements Involving Claims of Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation

On November 17, 2023, the New York governor signed into law S4516, which amends Section 5-336 of the New York General Obligations Law to restrict certain terms from being included in release agreements involving claims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The amendments went into effect immediately and apply to agreements entered into on or after the effective date. Section 5-336 is one of the original #MeToo statutes. It was intended to limit the use of confidentiality agreements that prevent victims...

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Member News

AlixPartners | Plan vs. reality: Strengthening Defenses in the Cyber Arena

Mike Tyson famously quipped, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth," highlighting the stark difference between theory and reality. This rings especially true in today's digital battleground, where companies are learning the hard way. The surge in cyberattacks isn't just a fleeting concern; it's a knock-out blow to unprepared systems. According to the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, over half of the 5,000+ companies surveyed in 2023 have already felt this punch, facing one or more...

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Member News

Mason Hayes & Curran | IP Protection and Enforcement – Key Emerging Issues in 2024

The past 12 months have seen some interesting developments in several distinct areas of intellectual property law. Among the most important developments were emerging trade mark protection issues for well-known literary characters coming out of copyright. There was also a surge of trade mark litigation regarding the area of copycat advertising and packaging. We look back on some popular insights from our award-winning Intellectual Property team on these developments. Lidl and Tesco Caught in a Vicious Circle One of the biggest developments of...

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Chapter News

IMF | Climate Change Mitigation and Policy Spillovers in the EU’s Immediate Neighborhood

The EU has been a global pioneer in the transition to decarbonize its economy and its immediate neighbors (EUN), namely, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,  Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye, which are heavily integrated with and reliant on the bloc through economic, financial and FDI and technology channels are likely to be significantly affected by such a transition. More immediately, the question whether the EU’s carbon border adjustment (CBAM)—an import tax on carbon intensive imports—will affect its...

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Chapter News, Uncategorized

ECB | Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises: Continued Tightening in Reported Financing Conditions

> Euro area firms signalled a continued increase in turnover, while higher labour, production and interest costs weighed on their profitability. Firms expect their turnover to increase further over the next six months. > The share of financially vulnerable firms increased almost to the level seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. > Compared with the last survey, firms expect a noticeably smaller increase in their average selling prices (3.7%, down from 6.1%) and wages (4.3%, down from 5.4%) over the next...

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Chapter News

Commission Proposes 166 Cross-border Energy Projects for EU Support to Help Deliver the European Green Deal

November 28, the Commission is taking another step to make the EU's energy system fit for the future by adopting the first list of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) that is fully in line with the European Green Deal. These key cross-border infrastructure projects will help the EU reach its ambitious energy and climate goals. The projects will benefit from streamlined permitting and regulatory procedures, and become eligible for EU financial support from...

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Chapter News

Commission Welcomes Provisional Agreement on Modernizing Management of Industrial Emissions

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached last night between the European Parliament and the Council strengthening the current provisions for emissions from industry and large intensive rearing farms. The updated law will help guide industrial investments necessary for Europe's transformation towards a cleaner, carbon neutral, more circular and competitive economy by 2050. It will spur innovation, reward frontrunners, and help level the playing field on the EU market and increase long-term investment certainty for industry.  New measures for a less...

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Member News

Sika | Sika Acquires Stake In Innovative Flooring Company

Sika acquires a stake of 30% in Concria Oy, a Finnish startup company specializing in highly innovative concrete floors. Concria has developed a new technology for concrete flooring, offering a wide range of advantages to contractors, architects, and property owners. Sika’s global network and complementary product portfolio will provide an attractive growth platform. Concria has developed an excellent technology that represents a novel approach to concrete floor installation and polishing. It includes special dry shake hardeners as well as a...

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Member News

Cozen O’Connor | Important Information Regarding Corporate Transparency Act Which May Require Action in 2024

We are writing to inform you of a new regulation under the federal Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) that, for the first time, will require disclosure of information about all corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships (unless exempt) and personal information about their beneficial owners as well as personal information about the persons who form those entities. This requirement is effective on January 1, 2024 for all such entities unless otherwise exempt by the regulation.  Cozen O’Connor can assist with the...

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Member News

Ogletree Deakins | UK Online Safety Act: What Does It Mean for Your Business?

The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Bill has recently received royal assent and become law as the Online Safety Act (OSA). What is the OSA? The OSA aims to regulate online content or activities that are deemed harmful to individuals, especially children. The OSA offers online users more control over online content, particularly by mandating firmer protections for children and directly placing legal responsibility on online services to prevent and remove harmful content. To whom does the OSA apply? In addition to online service...

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