Alerts

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it is extending the deadline for the Local Telephone Competition and Broadband Report, commonly known as FCC Form 477.

Congress created the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program to help the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identify improper payments made to providers by Medicare and Medicaid.

Last month, a federal district court in Georgia ordered Columbus Regional Healthcare System to turn over communications protected by the attorney-client privilege in a decision that could have a chilling effect on requests for legal advice, if misunderstood.

Fourth Circuit in McAirlands Inc. v. Kimberly-Clark Corp. recently held that ownership of a utility patent does not necessarily preclude a claim in trade dress.

In testimony before the US Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this summer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lent its support to federal legislation that would require businesses to obtain “affirmative express consent” from consumers before collecting geolocation data from mobile devices.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on September 23, 2014 that it recently completed a nationwide advertising review that resulted in warning letters to more than 60 advertisers.

The FCC Annual Regulatory Fees are due Tuesday, September 23, 2014.

Import managers and compliance personnel can now be held personally liable in circumstances other than fraud for imports that violate US custom laws.

On April 13, 2014, MPM Silicones, LLC and certain debtor affiliates (the Debtors) filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Debtors filed their plan of reorganization (the Plan) about a month later.

Thanks to a recently announced change to Facebook’s “Platform Policy,” it will soon become more difficult for companies to get consumers to “like” their Facebook page as part of a promotional campaign. The change will take effect on November 5, 2014.

Court Holds That Document Reviewers “Practiced Law” for Purposes of the FLSA

On August 20, 2014, Judge Leonard P. Stark issued what appears to be the first order requiring a branded pharmaceutical company to delist a patent from the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Orange Book.

On September 15, 2014, Arent Fox was in attendance at the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public workshop on so-called “Big Data” that was designed to explore how its use is impacting American consumers.

European Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) — the entities responsible for enforcing the European Union (EU) Data Directive and the EU Cookie Directive — are taking part in what is being referred to as “Cookie Sweep Day.”

Investment Services Targeted, Sectoral Sanctions Move Debt Sanctions from 90 to 30 days, Certain Oil Exploration/Production Exports and Services Prohibited

Following a trend, including a recent amendment in New York City reported here, on September 10, 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed legislation into law that will require most California employers to provide up to three paid sick days per year for employees.

FTC settled with L’Oréal USA Inc. over charges that the company made deceptive claims regarding the benefits of two of its products.

A recent case filed in US District Court for the Southern District of Florida charges A&E Television Networks, LLC, with willful trademark infringement and unfair competition stemming from merchandise for the hit reality show Duck Dynasty.

Foreign manufacturers entering the American market are often tripped up by consumer safety and liability laws that could derail a successful product launch.

Walmart recently argued that the US District Court for the Eastern District of California should not grant class certification in a suit alleging that Walmart’s data collection practices violate California’s Song-Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971 (Song-Beverly Act).

Arent Fox’s Telecom Deadlines and Headlines brings you the most recent legal developments affecting the telecommunications industry. Follow @ArentFoxTelecom on Twitter!