Today, you don’t think twice about clicking a button on Amazon or Priceline to make a purchase, but complex underbelly e-commerce engines drive these systems. These software programs are protected by nuanced business method patents that have come under question. Business methods and computer software programs are significant components of today’s high-tech and innovation-focused economy. …Read More
Tag: corporate
Target Data Breach Costs Consumers and Lenders
At the height of the holiday shopping season, Target Corp. (TGT:NYSE) announced that customer credit card data had been compromised. The breach reportedly occurred between November 27 and December 15, 2013. Initially, Target reported that only credit card data had been accessed — not debit card data or Target’s own credit card. Target assured customers that debit …Read More
Ten Strauss Troy Attorneys Recognized as2014 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars®
Rick Wayne Celebrates 11 Consecutive Years as an Ohio Super Lawyer Strauss Troy is proud to announce that five of its attorneys were recently named 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers®. Cincinnati attorneys named are: Anthony Barlow, William Flynn, Erinn McKee Hannigan, R. Guy Taft and Richard Wayne. Mr. Wayne has the unique distinction of being named …Read More
IRS Announces Change to the“Use It or Lose It” Rule for FSAs
Amend Your Cafeteria Plan Now To Allow for a $500 Rollover The IRS has announced that Cafeteria Plans (also known as 125 Plans, FSAs and Flexible Spending Accounts) can permit up to $500 to be “rolled over” into the following year – softening the “use it or lose it” rule that had been the hallmark …Read More
Apple Takes Another Bite Out of Samsung Judge Orders Additional $290 Million in Damages
Apple and Samsung continue to litigate allegations of patent infringement in the United States and in international courts as well. In the United States, the momentum seems to have shifted recently in Apple’s favor. Both companies recently convinced the U.S. International Trade Commission that the other company had infringed the other’s patents, leading to bans of …Read More
Strauss Troy Wins Jury Verdict for Full Amount Owed to Material Supplier on $2 Million Loveland Home
Strauss Troy represented Ferguson Enterprises, which provided nearly $50,000 in high-end kitchen appliances, lighting fixtures and plumbing fixtures to a multi-million dollar home being constructed in Loveland, Ohio. Near the end of the project, a dispute arose between the owners and the general contractor constructing the house, Pinnacle Building Group. The owners refused to make the …Read More
Strauss Troy Named a 2014 “Best Law Firm”By U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
Strauss Troy, one of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s leading law firms, announced that the firm earned six Metropolitan Rankings in the 2014 “Best Law Firms” report published by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®. Strauss Troy earned five Metropolitan–Cincinnati Tier 1 Rankings in the following practice areas: Commercial Litigation Mass Tort Litigation / …Read More
Business Buyers Can Benefit From Earnout Provisions
Acquiring an existing business is one of the best ways to start, or expand, your operation. You’ve decided it strategically makes sense and have a target in mind. At a high-level, everything looks good. The next step is to sit down and pour through the financials for the deal. As you begin your due diligence, …Read More
The Goering Center – Nurturing And Educating Businesses To Drive A Vibrant Economy
Strauss Troy is proud to be an associate member of the Goering Center. If you own a family or private business, we encourage you to discover what it’s all about. The Goering Center can prepare you to handle key issues that affect organizations of all sizes. These matters may include: Succession Planning Communication Techniques Strategic …Read More
Apple Still Has Bite With Patent Victory And New iPhones Exceeding Expectations
Samsung Blocked From Offering Certain Phones For Sale In The US With a ruling in its favor at the International Trade Commission (ITC), Apple has emerged as the most recent victor in the ongoing, multi-front Apple vs. Samsung patent war that includes dozens of pending patent infringement lawsuits around the world. On top of this …Read More
When Are Unpaid Internships Legal & Right? Learn How Both Organization& Student Can Benefit
Internships are great avenues toward a career – they give you experience, training and an impressive block of text on your resume. Are these benefits really worth free labor from the student’s perspective, and is the free labor legal? Here’s what you need to know. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there are six different circumstances under …Read More
Could Safer Screening & Hiring Practices Have Prevented Navy Yard Shooting?
Employers Are Ultimately Responsible For Safe Hiring When tragedy strikes, we all ask why? In the recent case of the Navy Yard shooting, many are asking, “why did the background screening of Aaron Alexis tragically fail?” “I don’t think the background check failed; I think the process failed,” Jason Morris, president of background-screening provider EmployeeScreenIQ, …Read More
Implementing An Effective Workplace Violence Program
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is committed to using all of its inspection and enforcement authority to compel employers to anticipate and avoid incidents of workplace violence. OSHA’s past and present inspections, citations and large fines demonstrate that it is not hesitant to use that authority. The prudent employer acts in advance. That employer protects …Read More
Important Employer Benefits Withholding Changes Take Effect September 16For Married Same Sex Couples
As of September 16, 2013, employers must treat lawfully married same sex couples as married for purposes of withholding and benefits. Individuals may amend their open tax returns (generally 2010 through 2012) to change their filing status if validly married during that year. Individuals may file for a refund of any taxes paid on “imputed …Read More
Ten Strauss Troy Attorneys Recognized By Best Lawyers®
Ten Strauss Troy attorneys have been named among The Best Lawyers In America©. Based solely on peer review, being selected by Best Lawyers® is a significant honor. For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers® lists have been regarded worldwide as the most trustworthy, unbiased source for legal referrals. “Year after year, a large group of our attorneys are named Best Lawyers®,” …Read More
Strauss Troy Welcomes Attorney Kevin Sprecher
Attorney Kevin Sprecher joins the firm as a member of the Strauss Troy Corporate | Business group and head of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. His work emphasizes all aspects of intellectual property law including U.S. and international patent prosecution, portfolio management and counseling, as well as licensing, internet issues, brand development, U.S. and international …Read More
Buyers of Defunct Companies’ Assets May Face Unwelcome Surprise
If you buy a defunct company, from its bank or out of receivership or bankruptcy, make sure that you aren’t liable for any actual, or alleged, labor and employment law violations of the old company. The burden of proof is on you — even with an asset purchase and hold-harmless agreements. Federal courts can simply ignore these.
Often, labor and employment law’s “federal successor liability rules” actually trump state business laws and contracts designed to protect buyers.
Supreme Court Ruling On Spousal Rights Raises More Benefits Questions For Employers
Guidance Needed From Federal Agencies The Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor finding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) unconstitutional has implications in many facets of law beyond domestic relations. That Section of DOMA defined “spouse” as “only a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife” …Read More
Tom Glass Interviewed By Cleveland Plain Dealer Shareholder Lawsuit Against Eaton, plc Still Pending
Strauss Troy Attorney Tom Glass was recently interviewed by Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer. He is part of the team of lawyers representing a shareholder in a lawsuit against officials of Eaton Corp. (now officially an Irish corporation known as Eaton plc). Tom says that Eaton is arguing that its merger with Cooper Industries plc …Read More
Region’s Fastest-Growing Companies Honored By Strauss Troy
Greater Cincinnati’s fastest-growing private companies were honored on June 6 at the Business Courier Fast 55 awards ceremony. Held at the Downtown Hyatt, this year’s honorees represented a diverse cross section of our region’s rapidly-growing businesses. The Business Courier ranked these emerging companies in five revenue categories, and winners were determined by comparing 2010 annual …Read More