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, Entertainment 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

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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Labor & Employment

In a Landmark Ruling, Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Protects Gay and Transgender Workers from Workplace Discrimination

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Corey Singer The U.S. Supreme Court issued another pivotal win in the movement for LGBT equality today, ruling that the workplace prohibition on gender bias in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act also protects workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.   Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the Court, in a 6-3 opinion, held that a … Continue reading In a Landmark Ruling, Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Protects Gay and Transgender Workers from Workplace Discrimination

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Cybersecurity, Regulatory, Videos

MSK Minute: Su Ross and Tim Carter Discuss Contact Tracing

In this video, MSK attorneys Susan Kohn Ross and Timothy Carter discuss contact tracing: what it is, what it means for employers and employees, and the impact it may have on your privacy right. If you are interested in learning more broadly about contact tracing or have any questions on this topic, please email Su at skr@msk.com or Tim at tmc@msk.com. Continue reading MSK Minute: Su Ross and Tim Carter Discuss Contact Tracing

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