Last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) issued a risk alert with information concerning common deficiencies in investment advisers’ compliance with their best execution obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”).  

On May 11, 2018, the new Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions (the “CDD Rule” or the “Rule”)[1] are scheduled to come into effect. On April 3 of this year, the promulgator of the CDD Rule, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), issued a new Guidance[2] to assist covered financial institutions[3] in understanding the scope of the […]

In our always-online world, websites are a necessary asset that is part of both small and large business’ marketing, sales, and customer service. With the wide variety of content available online, it’s all too easy to click the copy button from page to page or lift a picture from a Google Image search or someone’s […]

Throughout the many ups and downs of starting and growing a business, a knowledgeable attorney can be one of your best resources. Legal knowledge and competence can help your company through the seed, startup, establishment, expansion, and maturity stages. Though every business and situation is unique, most often, the sooner you employ the help of […]

Earlier this year, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) released its Examination Priorities for 2017.  OCIE annually examines regulated entities[1] to ensure compliance, prevent fraud, identify risk, and inform policy.  These priorities reflect the practices, products, and services that, per OCIE, present the greatest risks to investors and U.S. capital markets.  Regulated […]

On February 13, 2017 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission delivered an early Valentine’s Day present to swap dealers and major swap participants by extending the deadline to comply with the variation margin requirements for un-cleared swaps stipulated by Commission Regulation § 23.153 from March 1, 2017 to September 1, 2017.[1]  The CFTC’s No-Action Letter announcing […]

Earlier this year, FINRA published its Annual Regulatory and Examination Priorities Letter to provide the industry with insights into the areas FINRA plans to review in its 2017 exams and to assist financial firms with reviewing and strengthening their own supervisory and compliance systems.  The letter states five priority areas the authority will focus on […]

Effective Jan. 14, 2017, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will be revising its fee schedule. The upcoming changes are set forth in full in this final rule and summarized in this USPTO publication. Most fees will increase, as the USPTO attempts to “align fees with full costs.” At the same time, the changes […]

This article discusses how original dance choreography can be protected from imitation, so that choreographers can protect and profit from their creativity and hard work. Prior to the Copyright Act of 1976 (the “Act”), a choreographer’s right to his or her work was uncertain.  Since the enactment of the Act, “choreographic works” have been expressly […]

When we’re sitting on the couch at home watching TV, it’s easy to forget how much effort and resources went into creating that content. In most circumstances, film production entails a significant investment on the part of the filmmakers and their financiers. These funds, in turn, create jobs and generate revenue. Many state governments have […]