Publicationhttps://www.morganlewis.com/rss/publicationPublications RSS Feed25https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/doj-releases-2023-fraud-section-year-in-reviewDOJ Releases 2023 Fraud Section Year in ReviewIn recent weeks, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Division’s Fraud Section released its annual Year in Review report, summarizing the Fraud Section’s accomplishments in 2023. This detailed account points to a continuation of certain trends, such as a focus on healthcare fraud, while presenting a surprising turn in others, such as changes in the corporate resolution process.Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500b42d8732-dc4b-49d5-aa58-994eff1e7c00FDAFDALITLITSandra MoserJustin D. WeitzAlison TanchykDevin K. Troyhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/evolving-regulatory-landscape-for-connected-vehicles-balancing-innovation-with-national-securityEvolving Regulatory Landscape for Connected Vehicles: Balancing Innovation with National SecurityThe US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) took a potentially important step toward shaping the future of connected vehicles (CVs) by issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on February 29, 2024. The ANPRM describes the national security risk posed by CVs and seeks public input on potential new regulations for Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) integral to CVs.Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -05003b2a02dc-3aaf-4dd7-8553-685cbfcd93feTMTTMTTRANSPORTTRANSPORTDavid PlotinskyBrent A. HawkinsF. Jackson StoddardCarl A. ValensteinGiovanna M. CinelliTodd LiaoJiaZhen GuoMark J. FanelliPejman Moshfeghhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/second-circuit-confirms-willfulness-standard-for-scienter-has-teeth-under-the-anti-kickback-statute-and-false-claims-actSecond Circuit Confirms ‘Willfulness’ Standard for Scienter Has Teeth Under the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims ActIn a new decision that could have a significant impact on the persistent efforts of relators to reach otherwise lawful conduct and characterize it as a violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit squarely held that in False Claims Act (FCA) cases predicated upon the AKS, the concept of “willfulness” requires the government or relator to plead, and prove, that the defendant acted knowing that its conduct is unlawful, even if it is not aware of the AKS specifically.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500d1f11e05-bd67-438b-89c1-435e3159553cLITLITFDAFDALSLSJohn J. Pease IIIRyan P. McCarthyAlison TanchykEric W. Sitarchuk Jeffrey J. Mastershttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/aifmd-ii-a-moderate-reform-after-more-than-10-years-of-application-of-the-aifmdAIFMD II - A Moderate Reform After More Than 10 Years of Application of the AIFMDThe Alternative Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD - Directive 2011/61/EU) came into effect in Germany on July 22, 2013 when the AIFM Implementation Act came into force and brought about fundamental changes to German investment law, in particular comprehensive regulation of the previously largely unregulated "grey" capital market. After more than 10 years of application of the AIFMD, the European Parliament adopted the amending directive to the AIFMD (known as AIFMD II) on February 7, 2024 and the Council on February 26, 2024, which will enter into force in the EU member states two years after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500a410262c-7aa0-413e-909b-fdde4d35109fCBTCBTPEPESECSECFINSVCSFINSVCSDr. Torsten SchwarzeFrankfurtMunichhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/data-breach-setting-yourself-up-for-a-successful-review-the-legal-intelligencerData Breach: Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Review, The Legal IntelligencerEffective planning and communication among the various stakeholders will drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and lead to successful completion of the review, according to Patrick Campbell, Jason Ware, and Ronald Hasman in an article for The Legal Intelligencer .Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500a404c669-5a08-42cf-86e3-16def5ccf894EDATAEDATAACCPACCPLITLITTECHTECHPatrick J. Campbell Jr.Jason M. Warehttps://www.morganlewis.com/blogs/mlbenebits/2024/03/dealing-with-the-dearly-departed-in-multiemployer-defined-benefit-plansDealing with the Dearly Departed in Multiemployer Defined Benefit PlansRecent headlines involving the Central States Teamsters Pension Fund and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program highlights an issue with meaningful consequences for multiemployer defined benefit plans—unreported deceased participants. In fact, PBGC’s alleged overpayment of $127 million under the American Rescue Plan Act’s SFA Program covering an estimated 3,500 deceased participants sparked PBGC to implement specific death certification measures for future applicants to the SFA Program.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -05004718724b-c9bf-45a3-b38d-7e64c2f63b90EBEBLBRLBRERISAERISAEBMEPEBMEPAlthea R. DayWilliam J. Marxhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/federal-fiscal-court-confirms-previous-case-law-on-the-taxation-of-management-participationsFederal Fiscal Court Confirms Previous Case Law on the Taxation of Management ParticipationsIn its rulings dated December 14, 2023 (VI R 1/21 and VI R 2/21 NV), the Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) confirmed its previous case law on the taxation of management participations and further specified the criteria for distinguishing between capital income and wage income.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500b9a61aa4-e495-4a10-958c-09b97594db34TAXTAXEBEBLBRLBRCBTCBTESOPESOPDr. Jann JetterEmma DragomirovaFrankfurtMunichhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/federal-government-expands-access-to-capital-for-startupsFederal Government Expands Access to Capital for StartupsThe federal government is planning to invest considerable funds into promoting startups investing in artificial intelligence, climate, quantum, or biotechnology, for example, and into increasing exit opportunities for German and European startups. According to the latest plans, a further €1.6 billion from the so-called Future Fund (also known as the Investment Fund for Future Technologies), which was previously held as a strategic reserve, and €150 million from the special assets of the European Recovery Program (so-called ERP special assets) are to be made available for this purpose.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500a2291f17-63e4-4ca8-9610-219f95a2bac4CBTCBTPEPESECSECDr. Florian HarderHeinrich StirtzFrankfurtMunichhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/lack-of-regulation-on-book-value-transfer-between-partnerships-with-identical-shareholdings-unconstitutionalLack of Regulation on Book Value Transfer Between Partnerships with Identical Shareholdings UnconstitutionalIn its decision dated 28 November 2023 (2 BvL 8/13), the German Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) ruled that Sec. 6 Para. 5 Sent. 3 German Income Tax Act ( Einkommensteuergesetz , EStG) violates the principle of equality before the law if a book value transfer of assets between sister partnerships with identical shareholdings is excluded.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500f7cf77e9-9073-4061-aff7-fddc82081cd2CBTCBTSECSECTAXTAXEBEBESOPESOPDr. Jann JetterClemens DienstbierFrankfurtMunichhttps://www.morganlewis.com/blogs/sourcingatmorganlewis/2024/03/luxembourgs-financial-services-regulator-enhances-ict-incident-reporting-frameworkLuxembourg’s Financial Services Regulator Enhances ICT Incident Reporting FrameworkNew ICT incident reporting requirements under Circular 24/847 (Circular) of the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg’s financial regulator, will come into effect on April 1. This introduces a new ICT-related incident reporting framework and underscores the critical importance of proactive measures in safeguarding financial institutions against ICT and cyber threats.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500160aa34d-8792-4474-bf40-4e5cf71f6570TMTTMTOUTOUTTECHTECHMike PieridesOliver BellCharlotte RoxonJames Mulliganhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/paycheck-protection-program-enforcement-likely-to-continue-with-focus-on-more-complex-casesPaycheck Protection Program Enforcement Likely to Continue with Focus on More Complex CasesRecent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) enforcement trends suggest that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun focusing on False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement actions centered on PPP applicants’ technical compliance with more complex PPP rules and regulations. This is a shift from the DOJ’s prior PPP enforcement focus on combatting less technical, more clear examples of alleged fraud.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500c2d23242-ce0c-4b77-90b4-e77a41257818FDAFDARebecca J. HillyerMeredith S. AutenSteven Strausshttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/update-on-the-growth-opportunities-act-federal-parliament-approves-compromise-of-the-mediation-committeeUpdate on the Growth Opportunities Act: Federal Parliament Approves Compromise of the Mediation CommitteeAs part of the legislative process, the Federal Council ( Bundesrat ) convened the Mediation Committee at the end of November 2023.Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500c947dae5-d18a-49fc-9934-bc2b03f54b8aCBTCBTSECSECTAXTAXEBEBESOPESOPATRATRDr. Jann JetterFrankfurtMunichhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/2026-world-cup-cos-face-labor-challenges-and-more2026 World Cup: Cos. Face Labor Challenges and More, Law360Partners Shannon Donnelly and Stephanie Sweitzer and associate Andrew Gniewek wrote a piece for Law360 highlighting various challenges facing companies participating in the 2026 World Cup. The article discusses heightened labor-management concerns, complex immigration rules, and a multijurisdictional workforce, as well as the ways in which companies taking part in the World Cup—whether as sponsors, vendors, or event organizers—can prepare for and effectively clear those hurdles.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -05000a67dc8a-c5a2-4fbd-b718-29d37fc38c87EBEBLBRLBRIMMIMMLMRLMRSPORTSSPORTSShannon A. DonnellyStephanie L. SweitzerAndrew L. Gniewekhttps://www.morganlewis.com/blogs/powerandpipes/2024/03/cbp-issues-supply-chain-questionnaire-to-solar-companiesCBP Issues Supply Chain Questionnaire to Solar CompaniesUS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun issuing questionnaires to solar companies requesting extensive disclosures about the source of modules, panels, and other products. This marks an expansion of the scrutiny on the supply chain for the solar industry, as importers previously only had to provide such information if shipments were detained for inspection.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500306a8e62-a4c8-4cd0-895d-a77dcd57b3a2ENEENELITLITCarl A. ValensteinKatelyn M. Hilfertyhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/grants-power-up-ev-adoption-but-compliance-requirements-remainGrants Power Up EV Adoption, but Compliance Requirements RemainThanks to the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, billions of dollars of government funding are available for electric vehicle (EV) charging projects as part of an effort to supercharge EV adoption in the United States. Two programs allocate a combined $7.5 billion to build up a network of public EV chargers across the country: the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and a $2.5 billion discretionary grant program.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -05002ab6cb65-caa6-47e0-b7d3-5955e78bc1b6TAXTAXWSGRWSGRIPIPFDAFDATRANSPORTTRANSPORTENEENELevi McAllisterW. Barron A. AveryDouglas W. Baruch https://www.morganlewis.com/blogs/sourcingatmorganlewis/2024/03/march-madness-ncaa-pausing-nil-investigations-following-federal-court-rulingMarch Madness: NCAA Pausing NIL Investigations Following Federal Court Ruling“March Madness” started early this year as the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee recently granted a preliminary injunction enjoining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from enforcing rules prohibiting student-athletes from negotiating name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements with third parties, including NIL collectives (i.e., “organizations created by alumni, boosters, or businesses with the purpose of providing NIL opportunities to their school’s athletes”), before the student-athlete enrolls in a particular college or university.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500176dcdbd-b760-46f8-b1aa-5735bfb01ae5OUTOUTIPIPSPORTSSPORTSTECHTECHAnastasia Dergacheva Jesse R. Taylorhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/monetary-authority-of-singapores-enhanced-investigative-and-supervisory-powersMonetary Authority of Singapore’s Enhanced Investigative and Supervisory PowersSingapore’s new bill grants the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) broader authority over the financial sector to oversee, investigate, and penalize misconduct. It aims to address the industry's growth and complexity, enabling MAS to issue directives to capital market services (CMS) license holders and strengthen its supervisory capabilities.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500a0ce14ec-9802-4e71-a715-d5a2ee290adcCBTCBTSECSECEBEBESOPESOPASIAASIAFINSVCSFINSVCSBernard LuiMei Sum ChanLianne ChiaSingaporehttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/aldis-infringement-of-marks-spencers-registered-design-for-gin-bottles-upheld-by-court-of-appeal-world-trademark-reviewAldi’s Infringement of Marks & Spencer’s Registered Design for Gin Bottles Upheld by Court of Appeal, World Trademark ReviewPartner Martin Henshall wrote an article for World Trademark Review about the Court of Appeal of England and Wales’s judgment in Marks & Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited . The Court upheld a decision that found that Aldi’s products infringed Marks & Spencer’s registered designs.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500751db7e4-e2ca-4aa4-b970-ef60c71d335dIPIPTRCTRCUCTSUCTSMartin Henshallhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/cma-road-map-helps-cos-prepare-for-uk-digital-markets-billCMA Road Map Helps Cos. Prepare for UK Digital Markets Bill, Law360Partner Omar Shah and associates Jack Ashfield and Nina Jayne Carroll wrote an article for Law360 looking at the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority’s approach to implementing Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill (DMCC).Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -050097bf0b4d-e3f2-4a3b-ad3d-2fcc705af503ATRATRTECHTECHOmar ShahJack AshfieldNina Jayne Carrollhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/courts-issue-three-significant-dei-decisionsCourts Issue Three Significant DEI DecisionsLast week, three federal courts issued significant decisions impacting the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legal landscape. Together, the cases demonstrate the rapidly evolving state of the law with respect to DEI.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500eed6b619-a7d9-47c1-a51f-972ea44fabd9EBEBLBRLBRWTRWTRSharon Perley MaslingAnne E. MartinezRobert Paradelahttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/esg-investing-the-us-regulatory-perspectiveESG Investing: The US Regulatory PerspectiveAs companies increasingly encounter dialogue regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, they and their investors and other stakeholders face the task of navigating the sometimes-contradictory web of regulations governing the world of ESG investing.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500566c5611-d00d-42ea-9028-eb180864184aSECSECCBTCBTERISAERISALBRLBRIMPGIMPGEBEBFINSVCSFINSVCSMana BehbinKelly L. GibsonElizabeth S. Goldberghttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/secs-final-climate-disclosure-rules-what-cos-must-knowSEC’s Final Climate Disclosure Rules: What Cos. Must Know, Law360Partners Celia Soehner and Erin Martin wrote an article for Law360 discussing the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) new climate disclosure rules. The article highlights differences between the SEC’s proposed and final rules, important compliance dates, and key issues that public companies should consider in complying with the new requirements.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500a63eb727-ec06-47fa-9212-0009676b32c0SECSECCBTCBTLITLITFINSVCSFINSVCSErin E. MartinCelia A. Soehnerhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/sports-and-eu-law-madrid-commercial-court-to-hear-arguments-in-european-super-league-caseSports and EU Law: Madrid Commercial Court to Hear Arguments in European Super League CaseOn March 14, 2024, the Madrid Commercial Court will hear the parties’ arguments in the ongoing European Super League (ESL) case following the December 2023 judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The case carries important implications for the future of the ESL and similar startups by third-party undertakings and the role of “gatekeeper” entities to act reasonably, transparently, and proportionately.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -050067f87e94-6342-42c3-bfdf-d215bb3ab7d2ATRATRSPORTSSPORTSIzzet SinanChristina RennerNoelia MartinezJasmeen BahousMaciej Bernard PlotkaBrusselshttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/uk-sustainability-disclosure-requirements-and-investment-labels-regime-to-launch-in-coming-monthsUK Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and Investment Labels Regime to Launch in Coming MonthsThe new UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sustainability disclosure requirements (SDR) and investment labels regime for managers of funds launches in July 2024, with a phased application through to December 2026. The SDR and investment labels regime comprise a labelling regime for qualifying sustainable investment funds, consumer-facing disclosures, pre-contractual and ongoing fund disclosures, and fund manager disclosures. The FCA altered its proposals significantly from its consultative incarnation.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500f0868708-d0ab-4815-a31f-c9b595277577IMPGIMPGFINSVCSFINSVCSWilliam YongeSimon CurrieSteven LightstoneLondonhttps://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2024/03/update-russia-determines-terms-of-bidding-process-within-blocked-investment-exchange-mechanismUpdate: Russia Determines Terms of Bidding Process Within Blocked Investment Exchange MechanismThe Russian Government Commission on Control over Foreign Investments approved the terms and conditions of the bidding process carried out within the framework of the blocked investment exchange mechanism.Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -050035336cec-ec07-4d02-99d2-39d96a18ccb2FINSVCSFINSVCSGrigory MarinichevKonstantin KochetkovAlexey ChertovMaxim Sidorenko