If you are aware of the existence of so-called "patent trolls," then you are likely aware that becoming the target of one can be a costly proposition. Even if your company has not yet been the target of one of these entities, a high likelihood exists that such a demand letter may arrive in your office eventually. The state of Washington is testing its legislature's efforts to combat the tactics of these trolls with the filing of a lawsuit...

Read more

This article is part of Portolano Cavallo’s “INFORM@Digital & IP” Newsletter. Click here to subscribe | On June 4, 2021, the European Commission issued a communication about Article 17 of Directive 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (the “DSM Directive”), providing non-binding guidelines to ensure its consistent transposition across Member States. Notably, these guidelines focus on cooperation between online content-sharing service providers (“OCSSPs”) and rightsholders, with a particular focus on balancing fundamental rights and the use of copyright exceptions and limitations. For...

Read more

Belgium has concluded so-called COVID-19 agreements with Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands on the tax impact of international travel restrictions and health instructions (“work at home”) for cross-border workers and their employers. These agreements have now been extended until (and included) 30 September 2021. COVID-19 Agreement with Germany The Belgian and German authorities concluded a COVID-19 Agreement on 6 May 2020. The initial period of application of this agreement ran from 11 March to 31 May 2020 and was already extended...

Read more