COVID-19 is a public health issue that goes far beyond the bounds of this blog. However, focusing only on the economic side of the equation, it is clear the SARS-COV 2 virus, and the needed response to contain it, have had and will have significant effects on the economy. As reported in the Atlantic on March 21,…

On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 (the “Order”) to mitigate spread of COVID-19. The Governor orders all individuals in the State of California to stay home, except as needed to maintain continuity of operations in 16 “critical infrastructure sectors” identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The…

Africa Regional Intellectual Property Office:  Discourages in-person meetings.  Continuing operations via electronic means. Austrian Intellectual Property Office:  All office deadlines in proceedings before the registry (e.g., notice periods) are extended by two months without the need to request the extension. But, statutory deadlines (e.g., deadlines for submitting appeals or for paying annual and protection fees)…

The Corona Virus is serving up a pretty toxic mix of public safety and economic risk with a heavy side order of uncertainty and anxiety. Company directors have a “duty of care” that requires them to “exercise care in making decisions as a director, based on adequate information and a good faith belief that their…