Monthly Archives: August 2011

Court Blocks Enforcement of Missouri Law Prohibiting Use of Social Media Websites for Teacher-Student Communications

On August 26, 2011, a Missouri state court entered a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of a new Missouri law requiring teachers to refrain from using non-work-related social media websites which allow exclusive access to current and former students. Missouri State … Continue reading

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Will Nagoya Protocol on Access & Benefit Sharing Affect U.S. Drug Development?

A current article in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News considers the potential implications for pharmaceutical development of a new international agreement regarding access to, and sharing of benefits from, genetic resources. See Nagoya Protocol’s Rules for Genetic Resources Pose Challenges … Continue reading

Posted in Intellectual Property Law, Science Policy | Leave a comment

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Tightens Financial Conflict of Interest Rules for Researchers

On August 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued an updated Final Rule on conflict of interest, providing a framework for identifying, managing, and avoiding investigators’ financial conflicts of interest. See HHS, Responsibility of Applicants … Continue reading

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U.S. Internal Revenue Service Approves Conversions of Supporting Organizations to Private Foundation Status

In two recently published private letter rulings, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service approved plans for tax-exempt supporting organizations of public charities to end their supporting organization status and convert to private foundations. Private Letter Rulings 201133012 and 201133013. As explained … Continue reading

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U.S. Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination Does not Shield Taxpayer from Obligation to Produce Foreign Bank Records to Grand Jury

A taxpayer under an investigation into his foreign bank accounts cannot rely upon the privilege against self-incrimination of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a basis for refusing to produce the bank account records to a grand jury. … Continue reading

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