Business Law and Corporate Law

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board recently affirmed that a specific shade of bright green (Pantone 2297C) cannot be registered as a trademark for construction tripod legs due to functionality concerns. The decision highlights the complex interplay between color marks, safety features, and competitive disadvantage in trademark law, examining how high-visibility colors serve essential purposes beyond source identification.

The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection has launched a new program allowing businesses and stakeholders to formally identify ambiguities, conflicts, and problems within FTC consumer protection rules. This mechanism provides an unprecedented opportunity for regulated entities to challenge regulatory provisions that may be unclear, outdated, or inconsistent with other legal requirements.

Maryland has amended its franchise registration and disclosure law with changes taking effect October 1, 2026. The amendments extend enforcement authority, expand franchisee claims periods, clarify jurisdictional scope, establish franchisee association rights, and codify a fast-track renewal program for franchise disclosure documents.

The SEC has proposed comprehensive updates to transfer agent regulations, marking the first major overhaul since the 1970s-80s. These modernized rules address electronic recordkeeping, blockchain technology, enhanced risk management, and new compliance requirements that will significantly impact how issuers work with their transfer agents.

A periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law and government ethics issues at the federal, state and local level.

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The SEC has proposed rescinding Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisers Act, which currently prohibits certain political contributions and restricts the use of placement agents for soliciting government investors. The proposal addresses concerns about the rule's strict-liability standard, overbroad definitions, and disproportionate penalties for inadvertent violations, while raising questions about whether existing safeguards and state laws provide sufficient protection against pay-to-play practices.

The SEC has proposed comprehensive updates to transfer agent regulations, marking the first major overhaul since the 1970s-80s. These modernized rules address electronic recordkeeping, blockchain technology, enhanced risk management, and new compliance requirements that will significantly impact how issuers work with their transfer agents.

A periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law and government ethics issues at the federal, state and local level.

The SEC has filed a complaint against Eric Munson and Adit Ventures Management, alleging a multi-year scheme involving misrepresentation to investors, misappropriation of fund assets, and undisclosed conflicts of interest. The case involves over 60 funds with at least 1,000 investors, where the defendants allegedly induced investments through false promises, executed unauthorized loans between funds, and engaged in undisclosed self-dealing transactions while failing to properly register as an investment adv

Early decisions about a start-up's legal structure can dramatically affect tax outcomes and financial returns as the company grows and reaches liquidity events. Understanding the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemption and implementing proper structuring from the outset can significantly enhance returns for both founders and investors.

The U.S. Department of Energy and Small Business Administration have launched a groundbreaking partnership to direct private investment toward small businesses developing energy and critical technologies. This new initiative combines federal expertise with private capital to accelerate commercialization of innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and energy security. Fund managers and entrepreneurs in these strategic sectors now have access to expanded financing opp