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For the Public

Happy New Year for AI-Related Patents: New Technologies, and New (and Old) Examination Protocols

Z. Peter Sawicki and Amanda Prose January 9, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic right now, whether as a watercooler topic about how it can make our work tasks easier or for the funny memes it can be used to create. AI is everywhere and on everyone’s mind. On a more serious note, the AI effect on the many technologies that are woven through our everyday lives

Congress Pulls the Rug on Intoxicating Hemp

Morgan Davis December 26, 2025

When Congress passed legislation to re-open the government in November, it quietly tucked into the 2026 appropriations package a sweeping redefinition of “hemp” that could vaporize an entire industry segment. The new appropriations bill rewrites federal hemp law to carve out “industrial hemp” — think fiber, grain, and seed. Then it lops off most “hemp-derived cannabinoid products,” treating them less

Estate & Probate… Not Your Average Real Estate Transaction

Chris Edwards December 26, 2025

The current real estate environment in the Triangle is constantly changing, and many times turbulent when adding additional levels to the process. It is crucial to have a plan in place to smoothly navigate all hurdles that may come into play. A pending sale could fall through if the real property is part of an estate and there is a

Uncovering Additional Insurance Coverages When Disaster Strikes – What Commercial Insurance Policyholders Need to Know

Anthony Crawford & Arnold Mascali December 24, 2025

Beyond typical commercial property insurance policy coverage for damages due to physical loss or damage and business interruption losses, there are other protections that can greatly assist business owners throughout many industries. As seasons change and weather patterns intensify – whether from the change from hurricane season to winter storms or other seasonal atmospheric conditions, these additional insurance coverage provisions

California’s Wrongful Death Verdicts Reach Historic Heights in 2025

Farid Yaghoubtil December 16, 2025

California juries are delivering a clear message to negligent corporations and individuals: preventable deaths carry severe financial consequences. In 2025, the state has witnessed some of its largest wrongful death verdicts on record, with multimillion-dollar awards signaling a dramatic shift in how jurors value human life and corporate accountability. This shift reflects not just legal changes but a deeper cultural

When a Name Isn’t Just a Trademark

Z. Peter Sawicki and Amanda Prose December 8, 2025

Many assume that brand protection begins and ends with traditional trademark law. But some of the most powerful safeguards for names, symbols, and product designations exist completely outside of our trademark law statutes. For example, use of the terms Olympic, Swiss Made, Champagne, and Scotch Whisky are governed by specialized laws and international agreements that strictly regulate their use. Understanding

Intellectual Property In “The Subcontinent”

Z. Peter Sawicki and Amanda Prose November 14, 2025

The word “subcontinent” refers to a large landmass separated from Asia by some exceptionally large mountains to the North (the Himalayas) and by oceans on the other three sides of that landmass. The largest country within the subcontinent is India. It also includes the countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. When it comes to knowledge in the

Corporate Governance and Shareholder Disputes: Why Strong Governance Is Your Best Defense

Brandon M. Schwartz October 3, 2025

Shareholder disputes can be one of the most disruptive challenges a company faces. They can stall decision making, damage relationships and even lead to costly litigation. Whether you’re launching a startup, managing a growing business, or overseeing a mature corporation, understanding the role of corporate governance in preventing and resolving these disputes is essential. What Is Corporate Governance? Corporate governance

IP Rights and Frights

Z. Peter Sawicki and Amanda Prose October 2, 2025

NEWS FLASH: October is Intellectual Property (IP) Month! Of course, October is also known for Halloween. There is a spooky trail of patents showing that creativity and IP rights underlie Halloween’s most important traditions. While this holiday is an annual one, that should not deter a client from protecting its Halloween-related innovations via patent, trademark and/or copyright. Thousands of patents

Untangling the Complexities of Healthcare Lien Resolution

John Cattie September 29, 2025

For attorneys resolving bodily injury claims, securing a settlement, judgment or award is only half the battle. The next—and sometimes more challenging—step is resolving healthcare liens. These liens, which give lienholders the right to be reimbursed for medical expenses paid on behalf of an injured party, arise within a maze of laws, regulations and administrative hurdles. Why Lien Resolution Is

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