The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a  9-3 decision in In re Tam, has declared a provision of the federal trademark law unconstitutional as violating the First Amendment guarantee of free speech.  The provision in question permits the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) to refuse to register disparaging marks. The case involves...

Recently, you may have received emails and alerts concerning proposed IRS regulations requiring charities to disclose donor Social Security Numbers (“SSN”).  While donor privacy is a major concern, the proposed regulation should not be.   The proposed rule does not require organizations to collect/report donor SSNs.   Reporting donor SSNs would be optional, and the decision...

On July 10, 2015, Rhode Island enacted significant legislation to address the ever-growing reality of incapacitated adults (persons having attained age eighteen) who need a guardian but spend time in more than one state.  Another key but unfortunate reason this legislation is important is the increase in family disputes resulting in the “snatching” of an...

On July 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published final revisions to its Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. This publication represents the first time in 27 years that the EPA has significantly revised these rules.  The changes reflect improved technologies, address outdated requirements, and place a stronger emphasis on UST operations and maintenance.  For example, the regulations require...