Womble Perspectives

As a firm, we believe our team members' unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other. 

Today, we're speaking with Jamie Chou out of our San Francisco office.

Learn more about Jamie.

Toppan Interamerica, a Georgia-based commercial printer, has sued Whalen Furniture in California for allegedly copying its copyrighted Fitzroy Pine and Bianco Oak wood grain patterns. U.S. copyright law protects original patterns like faux wood grains, granting creators exclusive rights for up to 70 years after death or 95 years after publication.

Read the full article.

About the authors:
Andrew Beverina
Jack B. Hicks

The FCC has adopted a Report and Order imposing a number of new TCPA caller and sender compliance obligations in connection with consumer revocation requests, which are applicable to calls and text messages that otherwise require consent under the TCPA and the FCC’s rules. This episode digs into the intricacies of this new law.

Read the full article.

About the authors:
Stephen T. Sharbaugh
Martin L. Stern

On February 15th, the WBD Black Affinity Group hosted a film discussion on the new movie Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay and based on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The movie explores the connections between the caste systems in the United States, India, and Nazi Germany, and how they shape our lives and society.

The group moderated a lively and respectful discussion on attendees' reactions to the film.

Read the full recap.

REBROADCAST: As part of our commitment to the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, our Houston office recently launched our Art & Diversity Initiative. The office will feature a series of rotating art exhibitions from local Houston artists to create visibility and showcase their personal stories.

Read about the initiative.

View artwork. 

On February 2, the FCC unanimously adopted a declaratory ruling, effective immediately, confirming the seemingly unremarkable conclusion that artificial intelligence (“AI”) generated messages or voice calls fall within the TCPA’s restrictions and the FCC’s rules on the placement of artificial or pre-recorded voice calls.

Read the full article.

About the authors
Martin L. Stern
Ryan L. Gillcrist

As a firm, we believe our team members unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys, featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other.

Learn more about Preston.

The USPTO has just released two new announcements concerning generative AI – one focused on submission preparation and the other dealing with ownership issues. in this episode, we'll delve into both topics in detail.

Read: Patent Practitioners Take Note: (Even) if You Use AI, Read Before You File

Read: USPTO AI GUIDANCE: Human vs. Machine – Humans Win … For Now

About the authors:
Samuel A. Savanich
Alexander P. Wharton
Dr. Christian E. Mammen
Jeffrey S. Whittle
Stephanie Smiertka Riley
Michael J. Mallie

In this episode, we're diving into the guidance issued by the State Bar of California regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence within the legal profession.

As AI continues to transform various sectors, the legal field is no exception, and with this transformation comes the need for ethical clarity. The Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct of the California State Bar has laid out key recommendations that align with both the State Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct and California's statutory authority.

Read the full alert.

Read more about our Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning practice.

About the authors
Seiko Okada, M.D., Ph.D.
Vincent Look
Dr. Christian E. Mammen

As a firm, we believe our team members' unique perspectives allow us to deliver more integrated solutions, fresh perspectives, and quality advice. Each Saturday throughout the month, we're broadcasting interviews with some of our attorneys featuring stories about their careers and told in their own words, illustrating just how our firm offers a point of view like no other. Today, we're speaking with Britt Biles from our D.C. office.

Learn more about Britt.