18.71 Duty to establish procedures for the enforcement of IP rights The treaty establishes a duty to improve, streamline and simplify procedures aimed at preventing and prosecuting intellectual property infringements. 18.72 Presumptions regarding IP rights A duty is incorporated in order to extend to related rights the presumption of ownership already contemplated in our legislation for intellectual works ...
In this article we follow up on some current issues in the defined contribution (DC) sphere. In its corporate plan for 2022 to 2024, the Pensions Regulator (TPR) reasserted its commitment to defined contribution savers getting the pensions that they are entitled ...
On December 30, 2022, the Asset Management Association of China ("AMAC") issued a consultation draft of the Measures for Registration and Filing of Private Investment Funds (《私募投资基金登记备案办法 (征求意见稿)》) and the ancillary Guidelines No. 1-3 on private fund manager registration (collectively, the "Draft Rules"). On February 24, 2023, AMAC issued the updated Measures for Registration and Filing of Private Investment Funds (《私募投资基金登记备案办法》) (the "Measures") and the ancillary Guidelines No. 1-3 (i.e ...
On February 24, 2023, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("HKEX") published a consultation paper (the "Consultation Paper"), which detailed the proposed amendments to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules") following new filing rules for the overseas listing of domestic enterprises announced by the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC") on February 17, 2023 (the "New Filing Rules") ...
The direct overseas offering and listing by domestic entities refers to the overseas offering and listing by joint-stock companies registered and incorporated domestically in China (the "Direct Overseas Listings"), which is currently one of the main ways for domestic entities to be listed overseas. Prior to the implementation of the New Filing Rules, the Direct Overseas Listings are subject to the examination and approval by both the CSRC and the overseas securities regulatory authorities ...
On February 17, 2023, the New Filing Rules was released by the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC"), which will come into force on March 31, 2023. In the meantime, the Notice of the State Council on Further Strengthening the Administration of Overseas Stock Issuance and Listing (State Council Announcement [1997] No. 21) (the "97 Red Chip Guidelines") will be repealed on the effective date of the New Filing Rules ...
On 17 February 2023, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) issued for public comments the Interim Measures for the Administration of Interconnection and Cooperation between the Interest Rate Swap Markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong (Draft for Comments)(the "Draft Swap Connect Measures"). The public comment period is open until 4 March 2023 ...
On February 17, 2023, China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC"), as approved by the State Council, released new rules for the filing-based administration of overseas securities offerings and listings by Chinese domestic companies ("New Filing Rules"). The New Filing Rules signal a new era of unified filing system for overseas offerings and listings by Chinese companies. We have summarized below five key points of the New Filing Rules for your quick reference ...
On February 7, 2023, the Division of Examinations of the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (“EXAMS”) published the 2023 Examination Priorities. Like previous years, the 2023 Examination Priorities provides certain data regarding the scope of the examination program and the growth of the investment adviser community ...
The refinancing policies for listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges will be revised as a part of the full implementation of the registration-based stock issuance system reform, in addition to the reform of the IPO-related rules ...
The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) recently introduced a new category of fund which complies with sharia principles of investment. The Non-Interest Fund (Fund VI) permits pension contributors and retirees to choose the preferred investment portfolio they would want their pension contributions remitted to ...
On December 8, 2022, the Thailand Board of Investment (the “BOI”) issued 17 announcements (Announcement No. 8/2565 to No. 24/2565) aimed at developing a new economic model as part of its investment promotion strategy for the next five years (2023 – 2027) in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Plan (Thailand 4.0). All announcements went into effect at the beginning of January 3, 2023 ...
Overview A VASP will need: a licence (a "Part III VASP Licence"); and to be regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (the "Commission"). A Part III VASP Licence is required unless an exemption is available under the LCF Law or the "Notice with respect to the disapplication of the requirement to hold a licence under section 40 of the Lending, Credit and Finance (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2022" (the "LCF Notice") ...
On February 1, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC"), the Shanghai Stock Exchange ("SSE"), the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ("SZSE"), and the Beijing Stock Exchange ("BSE") issued for public comments draft rules and regulations (the "Draft Rules") related to the registration-based stock issuance system. The Draft Rules mark the official launch of the full implementation of stock issuance reforms in China ...
When one instructs a painter to draw a portrait (no matter how detailed the instructions may be) the painter will always have discretion in executing the final product. Likewise, in investment funds, the investment manager is instructed to invest according to various rules and timeframes which are detailed in the investment strategy as approved by the competent financial regulator, but there will still remain investment discretion on how the investment strategy is executed ...
HSR Notice Thresholds Have Increased. On January 26, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its revised annual threshold that determines whether companies may be required to notify federal antitrust authorities about a proposed merger or acquisition due to the size and value of the transaction. The Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act (Section 7A of the Clayton Act) requires parties to certain mergers and acquisitions to notify the FTC and U.S ...
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on July 1, 2020 replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that has been in force since 1994. The USMCA has a sunset provision providing that investors may continue using NAFTA’s dispute resolution mechanism for NAFTA legacy investments for up to three years after NAFTA’s termination, i.e., until June 30, 2023 ...
With cybersecurity risks increasing and evolving moving into 2023, the federal government is taking steps to help secure our cyber infrastructure. The recent passing of the 2023 omnibus spending agreement included additional funds for a variety of federal agencies in order to strengthen our cybersecurity apparatus. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (“CISA”) received $1.3 billion for its cybersecurity programs. This is a $230 million increase over last year ...
Overview If you are thinking about outsourcing manufacturing but have no idea where to start, or if you are already sourcing your product overseas but running into complications, this book, So You Need To OutSource A Product?, will provide some helpful guidelines on navigating the process. You probably already know this, but it bears repeating: Manufacturing outsourcing raises profit margins, improves inventory management, and gets new products to market faster ...
Pensions analysis: On 16 December 2022, the Pensions Regulator (TPR) published its consultation on the new defined benefit (DB) funding code of practice together with a response to its first consultation and a consultation on its proposed twin track regulatory approach to assessing valuations including its proposed Fast Track design. Suzanne Burrell, partner at Shoosmiths examines the consultation and its implications ...
As the stock exchange market in the country develops, in addition to the regular auction trading method, block trades or special crossings (via the NTM) are also permitted, whereby the buyer and seller of listed shares can directly negotiate and agree upon the conditions of their transaction ...
On January 5, 2023 the SEC announced a settled Administrative Proceeding with Randy Robertson. Mr. Robertson previously served as the co-portfolio manager for the BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (“BIT”). While serving as the co-portfolio manager for BIT, Mr. Robertson explored the possibility of a BlackRock investment opportunity regarding a potential secured lending investment relating to print and advertising expenses associated with film distribution. Mr ...
Matters of cross-border company mobility are addressed at European Union level by means of Directive (EU) 2017/1132 (the “2017 Directive”) which provides for cross-border mergers and domestic divisions of public limited liability companies ...
