Womble Perspectives

Last year, Missouri joined a growing number of states introducing CFDL legislation. These laws aim to bring consumer-style transparency to certain commercial loans, requiring lenders to disclose terms like APR, fees, and repayment schedules. But there was a wrinkle—insurance premium finance loans were left in a gray area.

Although the Senate version of the bill proposed a specific exemption for these loans, that language didn’t make it into the final omnibus bill signed into law. The result? Ambiguity for lenders and borrowers alike.

Read the full article: Insurance Premium Finance Exemption Enacted — Missouri Commercial Finance Disclosure Law

About the authors

Joel L. Perrell Jr.

Eryn Brasovan

Today we’re diving into the evolving world of design patent law—specifically, what’s happened in the year since the Federal Circuit’s landmark decision in LKQ Corp. v. GM Global Tech Operations.

One year ago, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit made waves by overturning the long-standing Rosen-Durling test for design patent obviousness. In its place? A more flexible standard aligned with the utility patent framework. This was the court’s first en banc patent decision in six years—and it signaled a major shift.

Read the full article: Design Patent Obviousness, One Year Later

About the author

Jace D. Williams

Welcome back to Womble Perspectives. Today, we’re diving into the increasingly complex world of food labeling—specifically, how nontraditional meat products are navigating a growing regulatory maze.

As plant-based and cultivated meats gain popularity, lawmakers and regulators are stepping in to ensure consumers aren’t misled. But what does that mean for the words we use—like “beef,” “chicken,” or even “bacon”?

Read the full article: An Increasing Regulatory Maze for Nontraditional Meat Products

About the author

L. Christine Lawson

Welcome to Womble Perspectives. Today we’re unpacking two recent U.S. Supreme Court matters that could significantly impact government contractors.

One case could redefine when contractors can invoke sovereign immunity. The other expands the government’s power to prosecute fraud—even when no financial harm is shown. 

Read the full article: Recent Supreme Court Activity with Major Implications for Government Contractors

About the authors:

• Matthew P. Delfino
• Luke Cass
• Joshua A. Mullen

innovation and business strategy. Today we’re exploring a major shift in how the United States Patent and Trademark Office—better known as the USPTO—is handling inter partes review petitions.

Read the full article: USPTO Newest Discretionary Denials on Settled Expectations — Best Practices for Petitioners and Patent Owners

About the authors:

• Fabio E. Marino
• Yi S. Wilkinson, Ph.D.

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

industries, our institutions, and our future. Today we’re tackling a topic that’s both timely and complex: artificial intelligence in the courtroom — and a proposed new rule that could redefine how we treat AI-generated evidence.

Read the full article: Proposed Rule 707 and the Future of Machine Evidence

About the Author

Amy Hill, Research Consultant

Welcome to today’s episode of Womble Perspectives, where we’ll be diving into a fascinating—and often overlooked—opportunity: buying buildings from the federal government.

The U.S. government owns thousands of properties across the country, and when they’re no longer needed, they’re put up for sale. Whether you’re a developer, investor, nonprofit, or even a local government, this could be your chance to acquire real estate with serious potential.

Read the full article: Guide to Buying Buildings from the Federal Government: Where to Start and What to Know

About the authors

Pamela V. Rothenberg

Patrice Z. Howard, Ph.D.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, has announced that it will discontinue the Accelerated Examination Program for utility patents on July 10, 2025. This program, which has been in place for several years, allowed applicants to expedite the examination process for their patents. But why is it being discontinued, and what does this mean for patent applicants? 

Read the full article.

About the author

• Steven J. French

Today, we’re taking a closer look at a significant move by the Federal Communications Commission—one that could reshape the future of connected vehicle technology in the United States.

Read the full article.

About the authors

• Martin L. Stern
• Stephen T. Sharbaugh