When borrowing for capital projects, 501(c)(3) borrowers often have various options to achieve their financing goals. Traditional financing through a bank or engaging in specific capital campaign fundraising efforts are...more
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced new fees that will go into effect on January 18, 2025. These changes will impact 28 different trademark fees, including those for trademark applications,...more
A “trademark” is any word, phrase, logo or design that identifies the source of goods or services. Trademarks are used to distinguish one’s products and services from those of another. The strength of a trademark depends on...more
Your company’s trademarks are an integral part of its brand and identity. Registering your trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office provides valuable advantages for defending against trademark...more
On June 16, 2023, Governor McKee signed the Rhode Island fiscal year 2024 budget that was passed by the General Assembly. The budget includes a new statewide Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) program to foster the...more
On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion in a highly anticipated case involving VIP Products LLC’s (“VIP”) dog toy parody of Jack Daniel’s famous whiskey bottle. VIP manufactures chewable dog toys...more
6/14/2023
/ Dilution ,
First Amendment ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Jack Daniels Properties Inc v VIP Products LLC ,
Lanham Act ,
Likelihood of Confusion ,
Parody ,
Rogers Test ,
SCOTUS ,
Trade Dress ,
Trademark Infringement ,
Trademark Litigation ,
Trademarks
On May 18, 2023, in Twitter, Inc. v. Taamneh et al., the United States Supreme Court ruled against an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (“ISIS”) attack victim’s family who sought to hold Twitter, and other social media...more
6/12/2023
/ Aiding and Abetting ,
Antiterrorism Act ,
Communications Decency Act ,
Free Speech ,
ISIS ,
Online Platforms ,
SCOTUS ,
Section 230 ,
Social Media ,
Terrorist Acts ,
Twitter ,
Website Owner Liability ,
Websites
Legislation has been introduced in the United States House and Senate entitled the “No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2023,” which would eliminate the tax exemption for bonds used to finance professional sports stadiums....more
The Financial Data Transparency Act of 2022 (the “Act”), which was included as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, was signed into law on December 23, 2022. The Act requires that various federal regulatory...more
On March 18, 2022, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2022-20, which permanently allows issuers of tax-exempt private activity bonds to hold TEFRA hearings via teleconference.
Pursuant to § 147(f) of the Internal Revenue...more
The IRS has issued final regulations governing the tax consequences of transitions from Interbank Offered Rates (IBORs) to other reference rates in debt instruments. The final regulations adopt many of the proposed...more
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law and will provide over $1 trillion in funding for a wide array of infrastructure projects. The act also includes certain provisions affecting...more
On August 31, 2021, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2021-39, which allows issuers of tax-exempt private activity bonds to continue to hold TEFRA hearings via teleconference through March 31, 2022.
Pursuant to § 147(f) of...more
On Thursday March 11th President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”). The law contains provisions to help businesses and individuals recover from economic hardships due to Covid-19. This Client...more
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed an approximately $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, the largest since the CARES Act was enacted in March. If signed into law, a portion of the bill labeled the “Economic Aid to...more
On December 21, 2020, Congress passed an approximately $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, which, if signed into law, would extend certain unemployment insurance (UI) provisions found in the CARES Act that was passed in...more
United States Senate and House leaders have reached an agreement on an approximately $900 billion relief bill in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If passed, this would be the largest relief package since Congress...more
12/21/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Economic Injury Disaster Loans ,
Eviction ,
Federal Funding ,
Federal Loans ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Moratorium ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Relief Measures ,
Rent ,
Small Business ,
Small Business Loans ,
Unemployment Benefits
On December 9, 2020, the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) released Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) Loans FAQ #53, which provides additional information regarding the Loan Necessity Questionnaires (SBA Forms 3509...more
Governor Gina Raimondo has announced a Coronavirus Relief Fund grant program for Rhode Island businesses affected by Executive Order 20-95, which requires an early shutdown for certain bars and restaurants. Under the...more
The Small Business Administration has announced in the Federal Register the release of two proposed questionnaires for recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $2 million or greater. One questionnaire will...more
On September 21, 2020, Rhode Island Commerce revised the eligibility criteria for the Restore RI grant program to allow more small businesses to receive aid. The program provides grants of between $1,500 and $15,000 to small...more
On Monday August 3, 2020, Rhode Island Commerce will begin accepting applications for “Restore RI” grants for small businesses. The new program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to Rhode Island businesses with 1-20...more
Two bills have recently been introduced in the U.S. Senate to help state and local bond issuers deal with the financial hardships caused by COVID-19. The Lifting Our Communities through Advance Liquidity for Infrastructure...more
On July 15, 2020, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced a new small business grant program to be administered through Rhode Island Commerce. The “Restore RI” grant program will initially be funded with $50 million,...more
The Federal Reserve Board has expanded the number and type of governmental entities eligible to utilize the Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) that was established to help state and local governments manage cash flow...more