Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert Blog

On July 14, 2016

As previously noted, in response to the European Court of Justice ruling in Schrems v. Data Protection Commissioner (Case C-362/14) striking down as inadequate the so-called “safe harbor” agreement that existed for more than a decade, the EU Commission and U.S. Department of Justice announced the framework of a deal to allow transatlantic data transfers between the EU and U.S. without running afoul of Europe’s strict data protection directives. Described as the EU-U.S. “Privacy Shield” agreement, that framework has now been vetted by EU Member States, modified in certain respects, and formally adopted on July 12, 2016 by the European Commission.

New Jersey Federal Court Confirms TCCWNA Doesn’t Reach “Omissions”

by Joshua S. Levy and Michael R. McDonald

Posted in Class Action Defense

On July 11, 2016

In the thick of a torrent of litigation, mostly class actions, premised upon purportedly unlawful contractual provisions under the New Jersey Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (“TCCWNA”) – a statute that permits “no-injury” claims – the District of New Jersey has reaffirmed a bright-line rule concerning this law: Omissions don’t trigger liability.

Governor Christie Acts on BEIP Conversion Tax Credit Payment Changes

by Paul J. St. Onge and Michael D. DeLoreto

Posted in Business Incentives

On July 1, 2016

On June 30, 2016, Governor Christie signed to law Senate Bill 2376/Assembly Bill 4002, which modifies the tax credit payment schedule for Business Employment Incentive Program (“BEIP”) Grant recipients converting their cash grants to tax credits. The Legislature and Governor enacted a law in January allowing businesses to convert outstanding BEIP Grants into tax credits. The law provided that BEIP Grants accrued but not paid during years 2008-2013 were to be redeemable as tax credits over a five-year period starting in the 2017 tax accounting or privilege period of the business. S-2376/A-4002 revises the tax payment credit schedule so that only 5 percent of the tax credit is redeemable in 2017. Twenty percent would be redeemable in 2018, with 25 percent redeemable in years 2019, 2020, and 2021. The change was required due to the projected budgetary shortfall in Fiscal Year 2017, which the State Treasurer announced on May 18, 2016. If your business is still considering a BEIP conversion, the deadline to opt-in is the close of business on July 11, 2016. Gibbons can assist your company with the process of evaluating and implementing a conversion.

Federal Circuit Finds Internet-Based Claims Directed to an Abstract Idea Still Patent-Eligible

by Thomas J. Bean

Posted in Patent

On July 1, 2016

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) has rarely found Internet-based patent claims challenged under 35 U.S.C. § 101 and Alice to be patent-eligible. The Court’s recent decision in BASCOM Global Internet Servs., Inc. v. AT&T Mobility LLC marks just the third such occurrence.

Gibbons Director Howard Geneslaw Installed as Chair of the Land Use Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association

by Gibbons P.C.

Posted in Development/Redevelopment

On June 29, 2016

Howard D. Geneslaw, a Director in the Gibbons Real Property & Environmental Department, was installed as Chair of the Land Use Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) during the section’s annual dinner at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick on June 15. Mr. Geneslaw has served on the Board of Directors of the Land Use Section of the NJSBA since 2009. He served as Secretary from 2014-2015 and Vice Chair from 2015-2016. The NJSBA’s Land Use Section serves as the statewide leader concerning issues involving or related to the field of land use law, including reviewing developments in land use law and attempting to reduce or eliminate costs and delays associated with the land use approval process.

Contractual Limitations Period Bars TCCWNA Class Action

by Michael R. McDonald and Joshua S. Levy

Posted in Class Action Defense

On June 28, 2016

Class actions brought under the New Jersey Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty, and Notice Act (“TCCWNA”) are on the rise. This year alone, Wal-Mart, J. Crew, Avis, Toys R Us, and Apple – among many others – have been sued under this unique state statute that prohibits certain types of unlawful provisions in consumer contracts and other documents. In the past decade, courts have continued to expand the scope of this law – from the New Jersey Supreme Court, which, in 2013, instructed lower courts to construe the statute broadly, to the District of New Jersey, which, in 2014, allowed a TCCWNA class action to go forward against contracts containing commonly-worded exculpatory and indemnification provisions.

Federal Judge Imposes Nationwide Preliminary Injunction on DOL’s New “Persuader” Rule

by Gibbons P.C.

Posted in Labor

On June 28, 2016

On June 27, 2016, in National Federation of Independent Business v. Perez, Judge Sam R. Cummings of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction precluding the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) from enforcing its recently introduced rule interpreting the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act’s (“LMRDA”) “advice” exemption. 81 Fed. Reg. 15,924 et seq.

New Jersey Appellate Division Agrees: EIFS is EIFS (Even If Technically It Isn’t)

by Joshua S. Levy

Posted in Insurance

On June 27, 2016

EIFS litigation is no stranger to New Jersey. EIFS (or “exterior insulation and finish system”) – a popular, post-World War II building system that resembles stucco while simultaneously providing watertight exterior insulation – originated in Europe and migrated to American homes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. According to The New York Times, it was utilized in the construction of “countless homes built in New Jersey,” which meant that the state was deeply affected when it became evident that, installed in a certain way, EIFS trapped water behind its siding and led to crumbling wall sheathing and rampant mold. Nationwide lawsuits ensued and, while a class action settlement was eventually reached with the largest EIFS manufacturer in 2003, New Jersey courts – at every level – returned to EIFS litigation again and again.

Supreme Court Review Sought on Federal Circuit’s Standard for Appellate Review of Damages Awards

by Estelle J. Tsevdos, Ph.D.

Posted in Patent

On June 27, 2016

Recently, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) filed a petition requesting the Supreme Court to review a Federal Circuit decision that vacated a $16 million award against Cisco Systems Inc. Supreme Court Docket No. 15-1440 CSIRO states that the case really revolves around a set of “rigid rules about damages awards in patent infringement cases.” The consequences of these rigid rules, according to CSIRO, is that trial judges in effect are stripped of their ability to determine damages.

Retail Liquor License Renewals Now Due

by Howard D. Geneslaw and Mark B. Conlan

Posted in Liquor Licensing

On June 27, 2016

All New Jersey retail liquor licenses for the 2015-2016 license term expire on June 30, 2016. All New Jersey retail liquor licensees should have received notification in April through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC’s) web-based system, POSSE ABC, to renew their liquor licenses utilizing the ABC’s online portal. Subject to the specific renewal deadline fixed by each municipality, all state and municipal retail liquor license renewal fees for the 2016-2017 license term are currently due. Prior to renewal, all retail liquor licensees must also receive an Alcoholic Beverage Retail License Clearance Certificate for renewal from the Division of Taxation.