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Please Click HerePosted on December 16, 2009 by Steven P. Lipowski
Businesses must be wary of the risks associated with promises made in advertisements or other promotional materials, as in some cases these promises extend beyond mere puffery and create express warranties of performance. Generally speaking, advertisers are permitted to engage in “puffery” in the promotion of their products. Puffery is generally defined as promotional statements […]
Posted on December 14, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Governor James Doyle recently signed Senate Bill 259, which created 2009 Wisconsin Act 80 (the Act) and greatly increased exemption levels for property that individuals can retain from execution or seizure by judgment creditors or a bankruptcy trustee. The bill passed with little visible opposition from bank or other financial institution lobbying groups. The exemption […]
Posted on December 4, 2009 by Steven P. Lipowski
The recently decided case of In re Bose Corporation provided much needed clarity and relief to trademark owners regarding fraud in the filing, prosecuting and maintaining of federal trademark registrations. In this case, decided in August 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a decision by the U.S. Trademark Trial […]
Posted on December 3, 2009 by Mary Ellen Schill
Yesterday the Employee Benefits Security Administration posted a new question and answer on its ARRA COBRA subsidy website, which could bring a big lump of coal to some holiday stockings. As you may remember, the COBRA premium subsidy is available to involuntarily terminated individuals: 1) whose termination occurred during the period from September 1, 2008 […]
Posted on December 3, 2009 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2010. Effective January 1, 2010, the optional standard mileage rates will be 50 cents per mile for business transportation, and 16.5 cents per mile for travel relating to […]
Posted on November 4, 2009 by Derek L. Prestin
On October 30, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it was postponing until June 1, 2010, its enforcement of the “Red Flags Rule” (the “Rule”), which may be found at 16 C.F.R. 681. Previously, enforcement of the Rule was scheduled to begin on November 1, 2009. Under the Rule, certain businesses and organizations […]
Posted on October 16, 2009 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Note that all of the limits shown below are unchanged from 2009, because the relevant cost-of-living index for 2009 is less than the cost-of-living index for 2008, the basis for the cost of living increases. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living […]
Posted on August 6, 2009 by Derek L. Prestin
On July 29, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it was postponing until November 1, 2009 its enforcement of the “Red Flags Rule” (the “Rule”), which may be found at 16 C.F.R. 681. Originally, enforcement of the Rule was scheduled to begin on August 1, 2009. Under the Rule, certain businesses and organizations are […]
Posted on July 22, 2009 by Derek L. Prestin
On August 1, 2009, a new FTC rule (known as the “Red Flags Rule”) will go into effect which will require many businesses and organizations to implement safeguards to protect their consumers against identity theft. Under the Red Flags Rule, businesses and organizations are required to spot and act on certain activities or “red flags” […]
Posted on July 10, 2009 by Jeremy M. Welch
On June 29, 2009, Governor Doyle signed Wisconsin’s Biennial Budget Bill for 2009-2011 (the “Budget Bill”). The Budget Bill had several provisions impacting businesses, including one related to the sales and use tax exemption for transportation companies. Prior to the enactment of the Budget Bill, transportation companies were exempt from Wisconsin sales and use tax […]