Business and Legal Insights

For many patent and trademark filing deadlines that would have been due between March 27, 2020 and May 31, 2020, the USPTO will consider them timely filed so long as: (1) they are filed on or before June 1, 2020; and (2) they are accompanied by a statement that the delay in filing was due to the COVID19 outbreak.Read More

On April 23, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its Technical Assistance Q&A Guidance relating to COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") to clarify that employers are permitted to administer mandatory COVID-19 tests on employees before allowing them to enter the...Read More

When Florida’s governor issued his stay at home order, it contained a carve out designating construction as an essential service. Since the order’s debut, many have embraced the construction carve out as allowing any and all construction. Alas, the devil may be in the details, more specifically, the building department...Read More

The CDC and the EEOC have recently issued new guidance relating to COVID-19 in the workplace, which is summarized below. Our attorneys remain willing and able to assist clients with any COVID-19 related workplace issues as needed. Please contact Mary Ruth Houston or a member of the Labor & Employment practice group if you need...Read More

The coronavirus pandemic is creating both opportunities and risks for Florida’s contractors. For example, on April 1, 2020 the Florida Department of Transportation announced that it will take advantage of nearly empty roads by accelerating work construction projects that have a combined value of nearly $2.1 billion...Read More

The coronavirus pandemic is creating both opportunities and risks for Florida’s contractors. For example, on April 1, 2020 the Florida Department of Transportation announced that it will take advantage of nearly empty roads by accelerating work construction projects that have a combined value of nearly $2.1 billion...Read More

The answer – No.

Plaintiff in a patent infringement matter concerning Plaintiff’s ceiling fan patents asked the court to delay all deadlines 90-days in light of the COVID19 crisis.  Plaintiff noted that the parties and attorneys are all located in states that imposed social distancing guidelines and other stay at home...Read More

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or “Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020 to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by Covid-19. Employers should be aware of two programs under the Act designed to work in...Read More

In response to the novel coronavirus, on April 1, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-91 (since amended by Executive Order 2020-92), which shut down all “non-essential” business activity in Florida from April 3 through April 30. Per the Governor’s order, work may continue on “open construction...Read More

The answer – Yes.

Pierce Manufacturing secured a preliminary injunction prohibiting E-One from selling its Metro 100 single rear axle quint.  That preliminary injunction prohibits E-One from selling the Metro 100 during the pendency of the patent infringement litigation Pierce Manufacturing is pursuing against E-One.

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As the Novel-Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) continues to cause disruption to every aspect of society, the business world and the economy-at-large, nearly every country, state and county has issued unique lockdown, “shelter-in-place,” and similar types of orders restricting the way all of us interact with each other...Read More

The United States Patent and Trademark Office today extended certain deadlines in connection with patent and trademark related matters due to the COVID19 crisis. Similarly, the United States Copyright Office has announced modifications to deadlines in light of the crisis.Read More

In the midst of the turmoil visited by the COVID-19 Virus, Florida’s governor announced plans to try to “lessen the economic damage” by turning its recently emptying roads into an opportunity. In conjunction with his April 1 announcement of a statewide stay at home executive order, the governor directed Florida’s...Read More

Despite recently issued stay-at-home orders across the state of Florida, most counties are allowing construction sites to operate normally for the time being. However, as the ongoing health crisis continues to escalate, key players in the construction industry can take proactive measures now in order to prepare for future...Read More