DOE Solution To Underfunded Pension Plans: Don't Pay For Them
Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.03.06
In a "notice" issued April 27, 2006 (http://directives.doe.gov/pdfs/doe/doetext/neword/351/n3511.pdf), DOE announced that "after a date to be negotiated with each Contractor, but no later than March 1, 2007," DOE will try to incorporate provisions in its contracts that would appear to make defined-benefit pensions and retiree medical benefits for new employees unallowable and prohibit reimbursement for plan enhancements unless approved in advance by DOE. It seems unlikely that DOE would have the authority to impose these requirements on existing contracts unilaterally, and some of them, particularly restrictions on the allowability of costs required by collective bargaining agreements, would conflict with existing FAR cost allowability rules.
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
