BW INSIGHTS

Every Business Needs to Actively Manage Its Intellectual Property

You and your neighbor have been tinkering in your garage for weeks and you are ecstatic that you have finally developed a new product…a hair dryer. You know you want to develop a business around your hair dryer idea, but what is the next step? One of the first steps to consider is protecting your business’ intellectual property. You may be... Read More

2016 Tax Return Preparation Reminders

It’s that time of year again when folks are sorting out (or maybe just starting to sort out) their tax return filing obligations for 2016. As this is done, consider whether any of the following apply to you – this tax season I’ve been seeing and advising on these topics frequently. Limitations on the deductibility of pass-through losses on your... Read More

Is My Software Patentable?

Is my software patentable? Maybe!!! Does it solve a problem rooted in computer technology? Does it improve the performance or functioning of a computer? Does it solve a technological problem by applying well understood operations in non-conventional and/or in non-generic ways? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it is possible... Read More

Iowa Certificate of Need Becomes Focus of Iowa Legislature

Two bills have been introduced this week at the Iowa Legislature to significantly limit the scope of Iowa’s Certificate of Need (“CON”) Program. One of these bills was introduced by Governor Branstad. Committee action on at least one of these bills is planned for next week in advance of next week’s funnel deadline. Below you will find links to the... Read More

Updated HIPAA Privacy Rule Guidance

Accidents, sudden illness, and hospitalization of a family member are stressful incidents for individuals and their loved ones. Uncertainty regarding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (“HIPAA”) Privacy Rules’ restrictions on the sharing of information with certain family members or loved ones sometimes adds to that stress.... Read More

Subpoena Response When Requesting Health Records

In recent years, many states, including Iowa, have changed their court rules to allow attorneys to sign and issue subpoenas in pending cases without prior court approval. While the issuance of such subpoenas may be acceptable under general state law, providing documents in response to a subpoena that is only signed by an attorney may lead to a... Read More

SEC Attempts to Modernize How Businesses Raise Capital

In 2017, new rules regarding certain exemptions from securities registration requirements are going into effect, adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 26, 2016, as the SEC attempts to modernize how businesses raise capital. You should take note of these changes: Amendments to Rule 504 of Regulation D under the... Read More

DOL to Extend Minimum Wage & Overtime to More Home Health Care Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule on September 17, 2013 that extends the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to most home health care workers. Effective January 1, 2015, the “companionship” exemption of the FLSA will be narrowed, extending minimum wage and overtime protections to... Read More