Legal Talk Network » Boston University School of Law

The Economic Impact of Lawsuits by Patent Trolls

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:28:44 +0000

Patent litigation has taken off in recent decades. While many of the most visible patent lawsuits are initiated by major technology companies seeking to gain leverage over competitors, an increasing number are brought by patent trolls—firms that acquire patents with no intention of developing a technology with them, but instead use them to threaten practicing companies with litigation over alleged infringements. In this BU Law podcast, host David Yas, a BU Law alum, former publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a V.P. at Bernstein Global Wealth, joins James E. Bessen, lecturer in law at Boston University School of Law and a faculty associate at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard, to talk about his paper, The Private and Social Costs of Patent Trolls. Together they discuss the economic impact of the surge in lawsuits by patent trolls, the potential for legislation to solve this problem, and how the patent war is ultimately affecting innovation.

Gender Equality in Citizenship Laws

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:02:52 +0000

There is great debate over a law that makes it easier for mothers to transmit citizenship to their out-of-wedlock children than it is for fathers. In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host David Yas, a BU Law alum, former publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a V.P. at Bernstein Global Wealth welcomes Kristin A. Collins, Associate Professor of Law at BU School of Law, to spotlight the Supreme Court case Flores-Villar v. United States, the importance of gender equality in citizenship laws and reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision.

The Odd Clauses of the U.S. Constitution

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:45:40 +0000

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and throughout history, legal provisions like the First Amendment and Second Amendment have taken center stage. But what about the lesser-known parts of our Constitution? In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host David Yas, a BU Law alum, former publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a V.P. at Bernstein Global Wealth, welcomes law professor and humorist Jay Wexler to discuss his new book, The Odd Clauses: Understanding the Constitution Through Ten of its Most Curious Provisions. In a wide-ranging conversation, they touch on constitutional oddities such as the Titles of Nobility Clause and the Letters of Marque Clause, and discuss instances where these long-ignored provisions have suddenly become headline news after decades or centuries in hibernation.

An Observation of Race and Reproductive Rights in a Medical Setting

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:25:43 +0000

There is great debate over the current healthcare system and the treatment of the poor and women of color in a medical setting. In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host David Yas, a BU Law alum, former publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a V.P. at Bernstein Global Wealth welcomes Khiara M. Bridges, associate professor of law at BU School of Law and associate professor of anthropology, to discuss her new book, Reproducing Race: An Ethnography of Pregnancy as a Site of Racialization. Professor Bridges talks about her observations at a public hospital in Manhattan, her views on the state of the current healthcare system, how the new healthcare law will impact women of color and what needs to change in our society when it comes to race, public health and women’s issues.

Antibiotic Resistance and Health Law

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:34:51 +0000

When we’re sick, our immediate response is to go to the doctor, and often times we’re given antibiotics to combat the ailment. There’s a growing problem today, which is that many microbes that cause infections in people are becoming resistant to antibiotics. To tackle the legal bugs of this issue, host David Yas, a BU Law alum, former publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a V.P. at Bernstein Global Wealth Management, talks with Kevin Outterson, associate professor and co-director of the Health Law Program at Boston University School of Law. They take a look at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s initiative to curb the overuse of antibiotics, the current legislation involving antibiotics and prescription privacy and how legal incentives can be used to address this public health issue.

Managing a Law Firm as a Business

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:58:05 +0000

Economic factors have fundamentally changed the way lawyers do business. It is much more competitive in the legal profession now and some even say the end has come for the billable hour! Host and media veteran, Dan Rea of WBZ-Radio 1030 welcomes James W. Jones, Co-managing director and senior vice president of Hildebrandt Baker Robbins, to discuss recent trends in the legal marketplace. Jim talks about technology, outsourcing, competition among firms and the skills that law grads will need to be successful, as law firms evolve their business models.

Representing Death Row Inmates

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:49:00 +0000

A lawyer who has spent 30 years representing inmates who sit on death row is our guest on this edition of the BU Law podcast. Host and media veteran, Dan Rea of WBZ-Radio 1030 welcomes Kenneth J. Rose, senior staff attorney at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in North Carolina, to spotlight the Center and their work with death row inmates. Dan and Ken discuss the personal 10-year battle to save a mentally challenged farmhand, Bo Jones from execution, the 2009 Racial Justice Act, misrepresentation by attorneys and the great debate over the death penalty.

The Practice of Franchising

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:50:11 +0000

How did franchising develop? In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host and media veteran, Dan Rea of WBZ-Radio 1030 welcomes Attorney Morton Aronson, Of Counsel at the firm of Federal & Hasson, LLP, to spotlight the practice of franchising. Dan and Mort discuss the key elements of successful franchising, domestic vs. international franchising and how franchising can help in our difficult economic times.

Fiduciary Law

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:53:31 +0000

In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host and media veteran, Dan Rea of WBZ-Radio 1030 welcomes BU Law Professor Tamar Frankel to discuss her new book entitled, Fiduciary Law. Dan and Tamar explore fiduciary law, the power of trust and honesty and the impact of new legislation.

Executive Pay Analysis

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:30:46 +0000

In this edition of the BU Law podcast, host and media veteran, Dan Rea of WBZ-Radio 1030 welcomes BU Law Professor David I. Walker, to discuss executive compensation. Dan and Professor Walker take a look at big corporation executive compensation, shift from salary to equity pay, the Dodd Frank Reform Act and several provisions addressing executive pay and its potential impact on the economic landscape of 2011.