Another Salvo in the War for Control of Contractor "Systems" Approval
Client Alert | 1 min read | 08.20.10
In the "Report on Allegation of Unsatisfactory Conditions Regarding Actions by the Defense Contract Management Agency, Earned Value Management Center" (July 28, 2010 http://www.dodig.mil/Audit/reports/fy10/apo/D-2010-6-002.pdf), the DoD Inspector General recommended that the Defense Contract Management Agency "prohibit joint surveillance reviews or other joint activities with a contractor" in order to avoid compromising DCMA's "independence" and to take action to increase DCAA "participation" in Earned Value Management Systems audits. While DCMA did not concur in many of the recommendations in the IG report, if the IG recommendations were adopted they would inevitably be applicable to other contractor "systems" issues, make it more difficult for contracting officers to resolve systems issues raised by DCAA, and have a decidedly negative impact on compliance and contract administration activities in the procurement process.
Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.30.25
Are All Baby Products Related? TTAB Says “No”
The United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB or Board) recently issued a refreshed opinion in the trademark dispute Naterra International, Inc. v. Samah Bensalem, where Naterra International, Inc. petitioned the TTAB to cancel Samah Bensalem’s registration for the mark BABIES' MAGIC TEA based on its own BABY MAGIC mark. On remand from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the TTAB reconsidered an expert’s opinion about relatedness of goods based on the concept of “umbrella branding” and found that the goods are unrelated and therefore again denied the petition for cancellation.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 12.30.25
Investor Advisory Committee Recommends SEC Disclosure Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence
Client Alert | 2 min read | 12.29.25
FYI – GAO Finds Key Person “Available” Despite Accepting Employment with a Different Company
Client Alert | 4 min read | 12.29.25
More Than Math: How Desjardins Recognizes AI Innovations as Patent-Eligible Technology
