Womble Perspectives

In this episode, we're talking about a critical alert from the Federal Communications Commission: the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has issued a Public Notice after a recent wave of cybersecurity intrusions targeting radio broadcasters. 

And these weren’t harmless pranks. Attackers managed to broadcast obscene materials and even actual or simulated Emergency Alert System tones. That’s a serious disruption. Not just for stations, but for public trust in emergency communications. 

Read the article

• FCC Alerts Broadcasters of Cybersecurity Threat

About the authors

• F. Reid Avett
• Stephen T. Sharbaugh

Today, we’re diving into a significant development in intellectual property law that’s making waves across the intellectual property sector. On November 28, 2025, the USPTO published new guidance on inventorship for AI-assisted inventions, and it’s a big shift from what we saw in early 2024. The main headline is simple but powerful: there will be no separate inventorship standard for AI-assisted inventions. The same legal standard that applies to traditional inventions applies here. And consistent with long-standing case law, only natural persons, that is to say human beings, can be listed as inventors. 

Read the full article

• USPTO Replaces AI Inventorship Guidance

About the authors

• Alex Wharton
• Ben Bourke
• Chris Mammen

In this episode, we’re diving into a critical topic that deals with the future of energy: spent nuclear fuel, or SNF. And as of right now, the U.S. has more than 91,000 metric tons of SNF sitting in storage with no permanent solution.

 That’s a truly staggering number. Especially since about 95% of that material can actually be reused. And through reprocessing and recycling, we could turn what we call “waste” into new reactor fuel, which would dramatically reduce high-level waste.

Read the full article

• Unlocking the Potential of Spent Nuclear Fuel – Renewed Interest in Reprocessing and Recycling in the United States

About the author

• Thomas J. Dougherty
  
  

As companies around the world embrace the circular economy, the traditional “take-make-dispose” model is being replaced by a more sustainable approach—one that values longevity, repairability, and recycling. But with this shift comes a critical legal question: when does a repair become a reconstruction? And how can businesses protect their IP while supporting sustainability?

Read the full article: Building a Sustainable Future: Understanding Permissible Repair Vs Impermissible Reconstruction In Support Of A Circular Economy

About the authors

• Karthika Perumal, Ph.D.
• Aaron Massuda

When we think about the human body, we often consider systems we learned about in biology class, like the central nervous system, the endocrine system, or maybe even the sympathetic nervous system. But today we’re shining a light on a crucial—but relatively new discovery in human physiology called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short.  

Read the full article
Unlocking the Secrets of the Endocannabinoid System: A New Frontier in Therapeutic Cannabis Research for Adolescents

About the author
Jennifer Housden, RN, BSN*

In today’s episode of Womble Perspectives, we’re diving into a major shift announced by the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance on November 17, 2025. One that’s already sending ripples through this year’s proxy season.

Read the full article

• SEC Alters Shareholder Proposal Landscape

About the authors

• Gary R. DePalo
• Sid Shenoy

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Michael McCue, a partner in our Intellectual Property group who joined Womble as part of our combination with Lewis Roca in January of 2025. 

The two discuss Womble's entrepreneurial approach and his experience since joining the firm.

More about WBD's Intellectual Property practice.

Social media has become the new storefront for everything from dietary supplements and CBD oils to herbal tinctures and homeopathic remedies. These products are often promoted as “natural,” “safe,” or “alternative,” and that language resonates with consumers looking for holistic options. But here’s the catch, many of these products make bold claims about treating or preventing health conditions. And those claims don’t always have the backing of the FDA.

Read the article

• Marketing Holistic Health on Social Media? Here’s Why the FDA Might Come Knocking

About the author

• Matt Quinn, Ph.D.

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Ana Maria Gutiérrez, a partner in our Denver office and Head of our Environmental Law Practice. The two discuss Ana's decision to make the jump to Womble and how she approaches achieving ambitious goals at the firm.

More about WBD's Environmental Law Practice.

Today, we’re revisiting a story that’s as provocative as it is legally fascinating: the ongoing trademark battle over the F-word.

Read the full article

• F-Word as a Trademark? Federal Circuit Leaves the Door Open as it Vacates TTAB’s Decision

About the authors

• Jennifer A. Van Kirk
• Erica R. Halstead
• Lori B. Cohen