Category: COVID-19

COVID-19, Intellectual Property

Another COVID-19 Surprise: Important New Trademark and Copyright Legislation Buried In Spending and Relief Package

Written by Marissa B. Lewis Yesterday, Congress’s omnibus spending and COVID-19 relief bill, H.R. 133, was signed into law.  Buried in the legislation are two new acts that potentially have sweeping implications for intellectual property owners.  The Trademark Modernization (“TM”) Act and the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (“CASE”) Act introduce measures that are poised to significantly impact the way that trademark and copyright owners … Continue reading Another COVID-19 Surprise: Important New Trademark and Copyright Legislation Buried In Spending and Relief Package

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COVID-19, Payroll & Employment Taxes, Tax

New COVID Relief Legislation Provides Tax Benefit

Written by Jeffrey D. Davine The new COVID relief bill extends (and modifies) certain provisions that were included in the CARES Act that was enacted in March.  This legislation, signed by the President on December 27, will provide $900 billion of additional financial assistance to individuals and businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. Among the provisions contained in the new legislation is funding for additional … Continue reading New COVID Relief Legislation Provides Tax Benefit

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

FFCRA, We Hardly Knew Thee: Federal (and State) Paid COVID-19 Leave Laws Expire at Year’s End

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Stephen C. Franz On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as a follow-up to the April 2020 Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  While President Trump has not yet signed the approximately $900 Billion measure, the new bill contains at least one provision that will be of particular interest to employers. Significantly, the new bill … Continue reading FFCRA, We Hardly Knew Thee: Federal (and State) Paid COVID-19 Leave Laws Expire at Year’s End

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

EEOC Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccinations: Yes, Employers Can Require Them

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Thea Rogers On December 16, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued much anticipated guidance to employers regarding whether employers can mandate that their employees receive COVID-19 vaccinations.  The key takeaway from this guidance is that employers can require employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in order to return to the workplace.  Furthermore, neither the COVID-19 vaccination nor its administration … Continue reading EEOC Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccinations: Yes, Employers Can Require Them

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

More COVID-19 Rules for California Employers: Cal-OSHA’s Emergency COVID-19 Safety Regulations Take Effect

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Thea Rogers On November 30, 2020, Cal-OSHA’s proposed temporary emergency COVID-19 safety regulations were approved, and went into effect (currently through October 2, 2021).   Helpful FAQ’s have also been published, with more on their way.  Broad Application to Employers These temporary regulations are applicable to all employers and places of employment in California, with the following exceptions: (1) those places … Continue reading More COVID-19 Rules for California Employers: Cal-OSHA’s Emergency COVID-19 Safety Regulations Take Effect

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COVID-19

Do You Operate a Los Angeles-Based Office? Work in One? Read This – Especially if your business is considered essential!

Written by Susan Kohn Ross and Thea Rogers As most everyone is by now aware, Los Angeles officials, both at the County and City level, have issued additional COVID-related restrictions on almost all industries, such that everyone living and/or working in L.A. is now operating in lockdown “Round 2” and is being told to basically – just stay home!  A question we have repeatedly received … Continue reading Do You Operate a Los Angeles-Based Office? Work in One? Read This – Especially if your business is considered essential!

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COVID-19

New Virus Orders – More Restrictions

Written by Susan Kohn Ross The most recent order by the State of California of widespread impact was issued on November 19, 2020 and was discussed here. It was followed on the 25th by one dealing with outdoor operations only. Responding to the earlier statewide order, various counties and cities have now issued their own orders, all further restricting permitted activities. One helpful point is … Continue reading New Virus Orders – More Restrictions

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COVID-19

Can We Or Can’t We – Operate, That Is!

Written by Susan Kohn Ross and Thea Rogers The State of California issued a new stay at home order on November 19, 2020, in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday and some degree of tumult has ensued.  This latest order supersedes the one we covered last week, which you can see here.  As much as 94% of the State is in the most restrictive or purple … Continue reading Can We Or Can’t We – Operate, That Is!

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COVID-19

California Tightens COVID Restrictions

Written by Susan Kohn Ross California Governor Newsom and State public health officials announced significant changes to COVID restrictions, effective November 17, 2020, as the rise in virus-related illnesses and deaths skyrockets. Specifically, California employs a color-coded tier system with the severity of the virus outbreak dictating into which tier a county falls, affecting the extent to which businesses may operate. The color coding is … Continue reading California Tightens COVID Restrictions

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COVID-19, Labor & Employment

COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks in California: Now Covered by Workers’ Compensation and Subject to Detailed Employee and Health Department Notification Obligations

Written by Jeremy Mittman and Tiana Bey On September 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed two laws designed to protect California workers exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19 at the workplace: Senate Bill (“SB”) 1159 and Assembly Bill (“AB”) 685. Workers’ Compensation for COVID-19 Under SB 1159, California established a new rebuttable presumption that requires employers to treat a COVID-19 related illness or death of an employee as a workplace injury … Continue reading COVID-19 Workplace Outbreaks in California: Now Covered by Workers’ Compensation and Subject to Detailed Employee and Health Department Notification Obligations

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