On 6 July 2017, the European Commission sent three separate Statements of Objections (SO) to Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric (GE) and Canon for alleged breaches of procedural EU merger rules. The Commission claims Merck /Sigma-Aldrich and GE provided incorrect or misleading information, while Canon allegedly implemented a merger before it was notified and cleared. Two months ago, the Commission imposed a fine of EUR 110 million on Facebook for providing misleading information during its WhatsApp takeover and issued an...

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and leading UK VC firm Notion Capital have teamed up on a blog to offer their perspectives on US expansion and transatlantic VC investment. Check out the full series here. US employment is a business topic that is truly foreign to many UK entrepreneurs. Employment matters in the States are best addressed by proactively seeking to avoid problems, and a careful and competent setup can mitigate most risks and deter many disputes. Don’t take our word for it; we regularly hear experienced...

Tech City UK and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have partnered on “Expansion to the USA”: a comprehensive collection of short videos and articles for UK and other non-US technology companies seeking to enter the US market or raise capital from US investors. Click on the links below to view the series. Launching in the US: How UK companies can best position themselves for launching their digital business in the US. Raising US Funding: The dynamics of raising venture capital from US investors, including when...

Technology is changing every industry and healthcare is no exception. In the past, you might have had to join a long waiting list to see your local GP. Today, mobile healthcare (“mHealth”) allows you to download an app, consult a practitioner by video call, access your records, get diagnosed, monitor your symptoms remotely, manage your prescriptions, set reminders for treatment and that’s just on your morning coffee break. mHealth may have your healthcare covered, but who is looking after...

Highlights in this edition: Netherlands implementation proposal for EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive published CJ rules that German provisions denying the deduction of pension and health insurance contributions is in breach of the free movement of workers (Bechtel) AG Kokott opines that Finnish taxation upon transfer by a resident company of a foreign PE is not in line with the freedom of establishment (A Oy) CJ rules that a vendor in good faith cannot be required to pay VAT at...

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Agilex Fragrances, a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, has been acquired by Firmenich International SA (Firmenich). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction closed on July 11, 2017. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, Agilex Fragrances is a leading provider of fragrance compounds and delivery systems to mid-sized customers. The company possesses leading creative and technical capabilities for the customers it serves, which are primarily manufacturers of air care, home care,...

  On May 23, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum adopting the Administrative Appeals Office’s (AAO) decision in the case Matter of A-T-Inc. The adopted decision establishes binding policy guidance for USCIS adjudicators on the issue of when a degree-conferring institution must be accredited for purposes of qualifying for the H-1B advanced-degree exemption (i.e., the “master’s cap” exemption). Specifically, the adopted decision provides clarification that the university or college where the beneficiary obtained his or her advanced degree must...

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new edition of the I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form on July 17, 2017. Employers may now use the revised version, dated 07/17/17 N, or continue using the Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through September 17, 2017. On September 18, 2017, the 07/17/17 N edition of the Form I-9 will become mandatory. Employers must also continue to follow existing storage and retention rules for any previously completed Forms I-9. Form I-9...