Alice Corp. V. CLS Bank – Supreme Court Continues Trend Of Finding Abstract Ideas Ineligible For Patent Protection June 23rd, 2014Patents/IP MMM Articles However, Many Computer Implemented Inventions Remain Patentable Subject Matter by: John R. Harris, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP On June 19, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its eagerly anticipated decision in Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank Int’l, 573 U.S. ___ (2014). The court held that the claims of several patents held by Alice Corp. were drawn to patent-ineligible abstract ideas, and were thus unpatentable subject matter under the U.S. patent laws, 35 U.S.C. § 101. The patent-ineligible claims were directed to a scheme for Read More
SEC Pushes Cybersecurity Awareness with OCIE Cybersecurity Initiative June 20th, 2014Data Security-Privacy MMM Articles On April 15, 2014, the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) issued a Risk Alert (the “Risk Alert”) pertaining to its initiative to assess cybersecurity preparedness in the securities industry. The OCIE willbe conducting examinations of more than 50 registered broker-dealers and registered investment advisors, focusing on areas related to cybersecurity. This initiative is designed to assess cybersecurity preparedness in the securities industry and to obtain information about the cyber threats that have recently affected the industry. C-level executives, in-house counsel, security officers and risk management officers should Read More
Tesla Motors Open-Sources Patents – What It Could Mean for Entrepreneurial Ventures June 16th, 2014Patents/IP MMM Articles ELON MUSK & TESLA SAY: “ALL OUR PATENT ARE BELONG TO YOU.” Tesla Motors Open-Sources Patents – What It Could Mean for Entrepreneurial Ventures By: John R. Harris In a blog post on June 12, 2014, Elon Musk said that he removed the wall of Tesla patents from the lobby of their headquarters in Palo Alto, in the “spirit of the open source movement.” Mr. Musk added that, “We believe that applying the open source philosophy to our patents will strengthen rather than diminish Tesla’s position in this regard.” What does this Read More
The Changing Dynamic of Healthcare: Webinar Recording April 1st, 2014Health IT MMM Articles, Resources/Tools Click here to view webinar recording. The current regulations stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are changing the business of healthcare. Companies immersed in the industry must understand the current regulations in order to provide value in the market, meet business goals and comply with state and federal healthcare laws. Add to that the shifting dynamics as insurance payers expand control in the marketplaces; the reimbursement changes from health insurance exchanges (HIEs); and the bundled payment and clinical integration programs driving healthcare delivery. There’s a lot at stake for vendors going forward. The following topics will be addressed: The Read More
Open Source Software: Adding Terms to GNU General Public License March 19th, 2014Entrepreneurial Info, Resources & Tools MMM Articles, Resources/Tools http://www.mmmtechlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/PLI-Open-Source-2014-Extra-provisions-of-FSF-licenses.pdf The information presented and contained within this document are provided by MMM as general information only, and do not, and are not intended to constitute legal advice. Any opinions expressed within this document are solely the opinion of the individual author(s). For more information, contact Paul Arne: parne@mmmlaw.com. Read More
Silicon Valley Journal – 30th Anniversary February 25th, 2014MMM Tech Perspectives MMM Articles SILICON VALLEY JOURNAL – 30TH ANNIVERSARY CHAPTER 1 – FEB. 25, 2014 Thirty years ago almost to the day I made my first visit to Silicon Valley. I’m returning today on what is probably my 100th trip to the Bay Area to visit venture funds, private equity groups, clients and friends. I’m proud today to be joined by Mayor Kasim Reed and his Invest Atlanta team. I thought I’d share my insights on how the Valley has changed, how Atlanta has been impacted by the Valley and how technology has evolved through my 30 years of crossing Read More
Healthcare IT Companies Should Prepare Now for HIPAA/HITECH Omnibus Rule January 17th, 2013Health IT MMM Articles, Resources/Tools Almost four years ago, the HITECH Act was signed into law, but a major regulation implementing its provisions—the HIPAA/HITECH “Omnibus Rule”—has yet to be published. The final rule, however, is expected soon, and healthcare IT companies must prepare for it. In 2009, HITECH enhanced the HIPAA requirements and the penalties increased dramatically. Specifically, the civil monetary penalties increased from $250,000 to $1,500,000. Since the enactment of HITECH, we have seen an extensive increase in audits and HIPAA enforcement activities. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) alone has investigated and resolved 18,122 privacy complaints Read More
Attention, Tech Executives: Watch Out for Revenue Recognition Trap August 10th, 2010Finance, Accounting & Compensation John Yates, MMM Articles, Revenue Recognition Revenue recognition issues can cause disastrous problems if not addressed early in a company’s development. John Yates examines the lessons to be learned from companies that have violated the revenue recognition rules. Read More
Lawyers as Accidental Project Managers August 4th, 2010MMM Tech Law Video Channel Legal Project Management, MMM Articles Lawyers as Accidental Project Managers (The Case for Project Management in the Practice of Law) By Grant W. Collingsworth You’re sitting at the closing table for an important corporate acquisition. You’ve been working on this Read More
“Preparing Your Company for an Initial Public Offering” August 3rd, 2010Tech IPO IPO, MMM Articles, Practical Pointers by John C. Yates, Esquire Are Incorporation Documents and Corporate Records in proper form? Articles of Incorporation must comply with state law (O.C.G.A. §14-2-202 for Georgia corporations) and should indemnify Directors to the maximum extent. Bylaws must accurately reflect an effective plan for managing the Company and regulating its affairs and should protect the Company’s Officers and Directors from liability to the maximum extent provided by law. Foreign Qualification Certificates must be available from every state in which the Company conducts the required level of business. Stock Read More