Insights

Dumbing Down Some of the Privacy and Security Risks Associated With Smart Devices

Bluetooth sunglasses, temperature-controlled insulated bottles, voice-controlled dishwashers and other kitchen appliances, smart TVs, and doorbell cameras are just a handful of examples of the many everyday items that have been enhanced with “smart” capabilities to better fit within our increasingly connected and convenience-centric society. As we intensify our reliance on such “smart” Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, […]

Q: The Governor issued an Executive Order closing public schools and banning mass gatherings of 100 or more people. What impact does this have on my workforce management?

Answer: The North Carolina Governor’s Office issued an Executive Order Saturday, March 14, 2020 banning gatherings of more than 100 people and directing the closure of K-12 public schools to limit the spread of COVID-19 (The “Order”)).  https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO117-COVID-19-Prohibiting-Mass-Gathering-and-K12-School-Closure.pdf.   This Order will have an immediate impact on workforces across the State. For the duration of the […]

Wing Wednesday, Yes, But No Taco Tuesday

Last year, shortly after news broke of Tom Brady’s unsuccessful attempt to register the trademark “Tom Terrific” (see my article about that here), there were reports of a few other intriguing, high-profile sports-related trademark matters that seemed deserving of some additional commentary.   Possibly not coincidentally, given Brady’s historic distaste for the State of Ohio […]

Mercedes Case Reveals Integrated-Work Copyright Stopgap

As Appeared in Law360, October 26, 2019 Stripped, the Mercedes-Benz USA LLC G500 runs $124,000 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) and comes in 24 colors. In the lead-up to the January 2018 North American International Auto Show, Mercedes planned an ironic, down-scale Instagram Inc.  campaign featuring photos of its Jeep-like G500s barreling through Detroit’s boho Eastern […]

Not So Terrific Understanding of Trademark Law There, Tom …

This recent article about Tom Brady and his unsuccessful efforts to register the trademark “Tom Terrific” came to my attention the other day: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27445881/not-terrific-tom-brady-trademark-refused. As an IP lawyer, I felt compelled to set the record straight and clear up any misconceptions Brady may have conveyed about trademark law to the general, non-(IP) lawyer public. First […]

New Jersey is Latest US State to Ban Salary History Inquiries in Recruiting

New Jersey is the 17th U.S. State to enact restrictions on employers’ inquiry into and use of salary histories in recruiting and employment decisions.  NJ’s new Salary History law goes into effect on Jan 1, 2020. The law makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to: screen a job applicant based on the applicant’s […]

Workforce Alert: Just over 60 Days Left to Comply with NY’s New Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Avoidance Training Law

The State of New York implemented new employee training regulations effective October 9, 2018, with compliant training for existing employees to be first completed by October 9, 2019.  The law requires sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance training for all employees who spend any time working in the State of New York, regardless of the size […]

Workforce Alert: New Statute Grants Virginia Employees Access to Certain Employment Records

As of July 1, 2019,  Virginia Code §8.01-413.1 becomes effective, requiring employers to provide both employees and former employees (or their attorney) copies of all records or papers retained by the employer in any format reflecting: (i) the employee’s dates of employment with the employer; (ii) the employee’s wages or salary during the employment; (iii) the employee’s […]

2019 CLE: Issue-Spotting on Background Checks

At Morningstar Law Group’s annual CLE program, Amie Carmack andEric R. Hunt addressed current issues related to contracting with third parties to perform background and other checks on prospective employees and contractors. Click here to review their presentation.