Author: mskllp

Since 1908, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP (MSK) has proven its ability to understand the complex, demystify the mysterious, and define the unknown. With more than 130 lawyers and offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C., MSK is often distinguished as a “go-to” firm by industry and legal insiders, and has extensive experience in a variety of practice areas, including Entertainment & IP Litigation, Labor & Employment, Motion Picture, Television & Music Transactions, Immigration, Corporate Securities, Regulatory, Tax, Trusts & Estates, Real Estate and International Trade. Relentlessly innovative, our lawyers have developed groundbreaking legislation, established influential precedents, and shaped the legal landscape. For more information, visit www.msk.com.
Intellectual Property

Trump v. Trump: Publisher is not an Agent of Author Subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement

By Sofia Castillo On July 1, the Appellate Division of the State of New York Supreme Court issued a decision on whether an author’s non-disclosure agreement (NDA) binds a publisher and other similarly situated distributors. The decision allows publisher Simon & Schuster to proceed with the publication of Mary Trump’s book about her uncle, President Donald Trump, titled Too Much and Never Enough, How My … Continue reading Trump v. Trump: Publisher is not an Agent of Author Subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement

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Trusts & Estates

Time to Make Gifts of California Real Property May be Running Out

Written by Rachel Ronca On November 3, 2020, Californians will vote on Proposition 19, the “Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildlife Agencies and Counties Amendment,” a measure that seeks to amend the California Constitution with respect to the current property tax system.  If the proposed constitutional amendment passes, it will significantly narrow one of the most commonly used exemptions from property tax reassessment: … Continue reading Time to Make Gifts of California Real Property May be Running Out

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Intellectual Property

SCOTUS Rejects Per Se Rule Against Trademark Protection for Generic.com Terms

Written by Eleanor M. Lackman and Samantha W. Frankel The U.S. Supreme Court has held that a generic word combined with “.com” is entitled to federal trademark registration if consumers perceive the combined mark as nongeneric.  United States Patent & Trademark Office v. Booking.com B. V., No. 19-46, 2020 WL 3518365 (U.S. June 30, 2020).  In an 8-1 decision, the Court held that because Booking.com … Continue reading SCOTUS Rejects Per Se Rule Against Trademark Protection for Generic.com Terms

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Labor & Employment

President Trump Signs Executive Order Prioritizing Skills over a College Degree for Federal Hiring

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Corey Singer On June 26, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order that will overhaul the government’s hiring practices so that a job applicant’s skills will be given a priority over a college degree.  The executive order directs federal agencies to shift from vetting applicants based on their educational credentials and move toward using skill assessments and interviews with subject … Continue reading President Trump Signs Executive Order Prioritizing Skills over a College Degree for Federal Hiring

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COVID-19, International Business, Videos

Video: Navigating PPP Loan Forgiveness

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans were created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were designed to be eligible for full or partial forgiveness, if the money is used for qualifying costs such as payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. … Continue reading Video: Navigating PPP Loan Forgiveness

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Immigration

President Suspends Temporary Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Due to COVID-19 Related Unemployment Rates

Written by Jaclyn D. Granet and Janice Luo After several days of extensive media coverage and speculation, on June 22, 2020, President Trump issued a new immigration-related proclamation, the full text of which is available here. Per the administration, this new proclamation was released in response to the growing American unemployment rate due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The most notable order in this proclamation … Continue reading President Suspends Temporary Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Due to COVID-19 Related Unemployment Rates

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment, Videos

MSK Minute: Hilary Feybush Discusses New EEOC Return to Workplace Guidance

In this video, MSK attorney Hilary Feybush discusses the most recent update to return to workplace guidance issued by the EEOC, which covers questions relating to an employer’s obligation to provide accommodations to “high risk” employees and other considerations for a safe return to the office. Continue reading MSK Minute: Hilary Feybush Discusses New EEOC Return to Workplace Guidance

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Corporate, Videos

Mark Hiraide Covers the Latest on Crowdfunding

In May 2020, the SEC adopted a temporary rule to make it easier for existing businesses to raise up to $250,000 through Regulation Crowdfunding (“Reg CF”). In this video, MSK Corporate & Business Transactions partner Mark Hiraide explores this development further, and addresses the key questions you need to consider in order to take advantage of this rule. Continue reading Mark Hiraide Covers the Latest on Crowdfunding

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

Lights, Cameras, Action! Los Angeles Greenlights Resumption of Filming for Productions

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Carly Epstein Over the last week, California and Los Angeles have announced the protocols that must be in place for music, TV, and film productions to re-open. On Friday, June 5, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (the “Department”) stated that music, TV, and film production may resume “no sooner than June 12, 2020” subject to several conditions.  The … Continue reading Lights, Cameras, Action! Los Angeles Greenlights Resumption of Filming for Productions

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