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Global Matters

Guarantees of Origin: Is Transfer Outside Romania Currently Possible?

I. PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS At present, guarantees of origin (GOs) are the only available mechanism for consumers in choosing (i.e., supporting) renewable sources of energy production; GOs have been designed at the EU level to support the financial viability of renewable energy projects and stimulate investments in the renewable energy sources (RES) sector. Currently, the GO

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Proposed Reform of the EU Electricity Market: Use of Power Purchase Agreements

On 14 March 2023 the European Commission proposed to reform the EU’s electricity market design that accelerates the surge in renewables and the phase out of gas. The energy crisis has underlined the need to quickly adapt the electricity market to better support the green transition and offer energy to consumers. The proposed reform foresees

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Proposed Legislation Expands US FDIC’s Executive Compensation Clawback Authority

In what is likely the first of many legislative proposals in response to the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) this week introduced a bill that would greatly expand the scope and impact of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) authority to claw back executive compensation.  The proposed bill,

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The Reality of Trade Marks in the Metaverse

The metaverse is a whole new world and, with that, a whole new trade mark world. As interest in the metaverse grows, more and more brands are “setting up shop” and establishing themselves on virtual platforms such as Decentraland. We are seeing an increasing number of trade mark applications for virtual goods and services as

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Crypto Consultation: The Australian Token-Mapping Exercise

On 3 February 2023, Australia’s Department of the Treasury released its ‘Token Mapping Consultation Paper’ (Consultation Paper), which seeks to explore how existing regulation applies to the crypto sector and to inform future policy choices in the crypto industry. The Important Bits Background In October 2021, the Senate Select Committee on Australia as a Technology

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A Review of Annual Corporate Obligations for Businesses in Nicaragua

Companies doing business in Nicaragua face a common set of obligations and deadlines throughout the year. Such companies are encouraged to comply with these obligations by the dates and deadlines indicated to avoid breaches or penalties that might hinder their normal operations and/or give rise to financial fines. The following is a summary of those

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US Companies: Reminders for the 2023 Annual Report and Proxy Season

As public companies in the United States prepare their 2022 annual reports and 2023 proxy statements, they will need to contend with a host of new requirements and disclosure updates. Among other factors, these stem from the current geopolitical and economic environment, a bevy of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory activity and several revisions

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Australia’s Updates to the Fair Work Act Bring Major Changes to the Workplace

The Federal Government’s Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 passed parliament on 2 December 2022, after negotiations in the Senate. The new laws represent the most significant changes to Australia’s industrial relations system since the commencement of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). While some employers will be affected more than others, the changes

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Happy Entrepreneurs’ Day! Commonly Asked Questions by Founders of Startups

I volunteer some of my time to providing legal office hours to MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service, a service that MIT offers to its staff, students and graduates who are looking to start a business. In the spirit of National Entrepreneurs’ Day, here are answers to some commonly asked questions during my office hours. What is a

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New Year Will Bring Ban on Purchases of Residential Real Estate by Non-Canadians

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act will come into force on January 1, 2023, as one of several measures enacted by the federal government to target soaring housing prices, increase supply and curb foreign investor speculation. With few exceptions, the Act will impose a two-year ban on the purchase of substantially all

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