As discussed in Part I of this series, independent contractor agreements contain a number of key protective provisions, the majority of which are driven by the type of services/work to be performed and the relative risk to each party. These provisions tend to be highly negotiated between the parties, in part due to the fundamental differences in the objectives of each party.
Many companies and individuals generate a significant amount of material protected by copyright, including video, print, music and merchandise. Unfortunately, this material can be infringed or “reused” by others with relative ease given the ubiquity of the internet and tech-enabled counterfeiting capabilities. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) offers a means by which copyright holders can seek recourse in the event of infringement. This article will provide a roadmap for leveraging the provisions of DMCA to protect your copyrighted material, starting with a brief history on how this law came into existence.
Independent contractor (IC) arrangements are as diverse as they are commonplace in today’s business. An IC may be engaged to perform a simple, limited project, such as providing flowers for a conference, or to lead a more complex project, perhaps as an architect or software developer.
In this article, Lakshmi Sarama Ramani, a member of our Washington D.C. area team, explores non-profit executive compensation and the IRS parameters relating to it, highlighting the Board's fiduciary duty to ensure that such compensation is reasonable and within the best interests of the organization.
When you least expect it, your company may face a subpoena relating to a lawsuit to which your company is not a party (for example, litigation involving a customer or supplier). When this happens, you may be caught off guard and unsure about next steps, especially if your company does not routinely handle litigation matters. Your options are either: (1) handle it yourself (which can be tricky for many reasons, including subjecting your company to potential liability), or (2) engage outside litigation counsel (which is likely to be expensive).
A first of its kind in the U.S., the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious privacy legislations in the world; and with 17 additional states so far following its lead, data privacy protection is finally having its day in the United States. Effective January 1, 2020, the CCPA will become enforceable as early as next spring. More specifically, the Act will be enforced on the earlier of either July 1, 2020 or 6 months from the date of issuance of the final regulations, following the California Attorney General’s enforcement guidelines (expected mid-September).
Washington D.C.-based member Lakshmi Sarama Ramani tackles the perennial subject of nonprofit board fiduciary duties in her latest ACC Docket article. Read on to refresh your understanding of these important responsibilities and the consequences of failing to fulfill them.
Licensing arrangements are a major source of revenue in many industries, including entertainment, (film, TV, music), sports, corporate brands, and colleges/universities. Each year, rights holders collectively earn billions of dollars from licensing revenue.
