We’ve seen this movie before. Conservatives, eager to bend the curve on federal outlays, are preparing to use the only leverage they have (their votes) while Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer is talking about “House Republican extremists” causing a government shutdown. In most people’s eyes, Republicans have “lost” every shutdown fight since 1995. So why
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2023 African Forum on Business and Human Rights: What do companies need to know?
Last week, Ethiopia hosted the 2nd regional African Forum on Business and Human Rights. This year’s Forum focused on local perspectives and solutions to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), including in the context of operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Participants included a range of stakeholders…
Trade secrets misappropriation: a new criminal offence in the UK
On 11 July 2023 the National Security Act 2023 (the Act) received royal assent and became law. The Act addresses trade secret misappropriation in the context of industrial espionage by a foreign government, making the unauthorised conduct of obtaining, copying, recording or retaining a trade secret, or disclosing or providing access to a trade secret,…
Brazil’s New Fiscal Framework Approved by Congress
By Diego Bonomo
August 28, 2023
- The new fiscal framework introduced by President Lula da Silva in March 2023 was approved by the Brazilian National Congress, the first major legislative victory for the administration.
- Congress made adjustments to the text in order to reduce the framework’s main vulnerability: its over reliance on
…
Covington Alert: U.S. Launches Outbound Investment Screening Targeting China with Further Developments Forthcoming
Earlier this month the Biden Administration released its long-anticipated Executive Order on Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern (“EO”), which imposes (1) prohibitions on certain outbound investments in the semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence sectors, and (2) mandatory notification requirements for a…
Landmark Judgments in Chinese Intellectual Property Law: Implications and Strategic Considerations for Foreign-Invested Enterprises
Introduction
In early 2023, two final judgments in three related intellectual property matters were made public by the Supreme People’s Court of China (the “SPC”).[1] These judgments represent a significant development in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (“IPRs”) in China, with particular implications for foreign-invested enterprises. This article provides a brief…
UK Energy Policy – Hedging on the Energy Transition?
This note provides highlights of the UK’s recently released and remarkably sweeping Energy Security Bill. If enacted, the Bill will have profound impacts on energy investments and the pace and scope of the energy transition in the UK. Before detailing the Bill, some political context may be useful.
The Uxbridge Surprise
Boris Johnson’s resignation as…
European Commission Publishes New Strategy on Virtual Worlds
In a new strategy published on July 11, the European Commission has identified Web 4.0 and virtual worlds—often also referred to as the metaverse—as having the potential to transform the ways in which EU citizens live, work and interact. The EU’s strategy consists of ten action points addressing four themes drawn from the Digital Decade…
China and Europe: De-Risking the Relationship
Two speeches by the EU Commission President, Ursula Von de Leyen in March and April 2023, set out the EU’s policy towards China. In late April, the UK Foreign Secretary set out the UK’s emerging strategy and on the same day earlier this month, a UK Government Committee released a report which heavily criticized the…
Protecting Against Russia’s Asset Seizures: Investment Treaties May Provide a Remedy for Foreign Investors
On Sunday, July 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree putting shares of Danone Russia JSC, owned by French yogurt maker Danone, and of Baltika Brewing Company, owned by Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S, under “temporary management.”
The Kremlin has since reportedly appointed Yakub Zakriev, deputy prime minister and agriculture minister of Chechnya, as head…