Today, we’re tackling a question that maybe sounds straightforward, but could have complicated, unforeseen consequences. That question? What happens if the FDA stops collecting user fees from drug companies? At first glance, it sounds like a win. Less corporate influence, more independence for regulators. But is it really that simple? Read the full article The Cost of Free: What Removing FDA User Fees Could Mean for Drug Innovation and Public HealthAbout the author Matt Quinn, Ph.D.
Today we’re tackling a major development in California’s climate disclosure landscape. The state’s ambitious climate disclosure law was set to usher in a new era of corporate transparency. But now, everything is on hold. Just weeks before the first compliance deadline, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction that pauses enforcement of the law. This unexpected twist leaves thousands of businesses wondering: What happens next? Read the full article California’s Clim...
Today’s episode focuses on a fascinating intersection of science, law, and economics: the rise of psychedelic therapy and the legal frameworks shaping its future. In this era of industrialized capitalism, there are strong incentives to promote products in emerging industries. Intellectual property law has always played a key role in fueling innovation and now, it’s poised to do the same for psychedelic therapies. Read the full article Actualizing Therapy from Psychedelic Compounds...
In this episode, we're talking about a critical alert from the Federal Communications Commission: the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has issued a Public Notice after a recent wave of cybersecurity intrusions targeting radio broadcasters. And these weren’t harmless pranks. Attackers managed to broadcast obscene materials and even actual or simulated Emergency Alert System tones. That’s a serious disruption. Not just for stations, but for public trust in emergency commun...
Today, we’re diving into a significant development in intellectual property law that’s making waves across the intellectual property sector. On November 28, 2025, the USPTO published new guidance on inventorship for AI-assisted inventions, and it’s a big shift from what we saw in early 2024. The main headline is simple but powerful: there will be no separate inventorship standard for AI-assisted inventions. The same legal standard that applies to traditional inventions applies here. And consi...
In this episode, we’re diving into a critical topic that deals with the future of energy: spent nuclear fuel, or SNF. And as of right now, the U.S. has more than 91,000 metric tons of SNF sitting in storage with no permanent solution. That’s a truly staggering number. Especially since about 95% of that material can actually be reused. And through reprocessing and recycling, we could turn what we call “waste” into new reactor fuel, which would dramatically reduce high-level waste. Read t...
As companies around the world embrace the circular economy, the traditional “take-make-dispose” model is being replaced by a more sustainable approach—one that values longevity, repairability, and recycling. But with this shift comes a critical legal question: when does a repair become a reconstruction? And how can businesses protect their IP while supporting sustainability? Read the full article: Building a Sustainable Future: Understanding Permissible Repair Vs Impermissible Reconstruction ...
When we think about the human body, we often consider systems we learned about in biology class, like the central nervous system, the endocrine system, or maybe even the sympathetic nervous system. But today we’re shining a light on a crucial—but relatively new discovery in human physiology called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. Read the full article Unlocking the Secrets of the Endocannabinoid System: A New Frontier in Therapeutic Cannabis Research for Adolescents About ...
In today’s episode of Womble Perspectives, we’re diving into a major shift announced by the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance on November 17, 2025. One that’s already sending ripples through this year’s proxy season. Read the full article SEC Alters Shareholder Proposal LandscapeAbout the authors Gary R. DePaloSid Shenoy
Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Michael McCue, a partner in our Intellectual Property group who joined Womble as part of our combination with Lewis Roca in January of 2025. The two discuss Womble's entrepreneurial approach and his experience since joining the firm. More about WBD's Intellectual Property practice.
Social media has become the new storefront for everything from dietary supplements and CBD oils to herbal tinctures and homeopathic remedies. These products are often promoted as “natural,” “safe,” or “alternative,” and that language resonates with consumers looking for holistic options. But here’s the catch, many of these products make bold claims about treating or preventing health conditions. And those claims don’t always have the backing of the FDA. Read the article Marketing Holistic Hea...
Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Ana Maria Gutiérrez, a partner in our Denver office and Head of our Environmental Law Practice. The two discuss Ana's decision to make the jump to Womble and how she approaches achieving ambitious goals at the firm. More about WBD's Environmental Law Practice.
Today, we’re revisiting a story that’s as provocative as it is legally fascinating: the ongoing trademark battle over the F-word. Read the full article F-Word as a Trademark? Federal Circuit Leaves the Door Open as it Vacates TTAB’s DecisionAbout the authors Jennifer A. Van KirkErica R. HalsteadLori B. Cohen
Today, we’re looking at a provocative development in reproductive science: selecting embryos based on projected intelligence. Picture this: a couple undergoing IVF is presented with three embryos. They’re told each has a different predicted IQ. Embryo 1, 2, or 3—who’s likely to be the smartest? Read the full article The Intersection of Genetics and Law: Navigating New FrontiersAbout the author Christina Upton Douglas
In today’s episode, we're diving into a fascinating and, possibly, a somewhat alarming topic: AI-generated deepfakes and their impact on evidence authenticity in court. Read the full article AI-Generated Deepfakes in Court: An Emerging Threat to Evidence Authenticity? About the author Al Windham
Welcome back to Womble Perspectives. Today, we’re diving into the increasingly complex world of food labeling—specifically, how nontraditional meat products are navigating a growing regulatory maze. As plant-based and cultivated meats gain popularity, lawmakers and regulators are stepping in to ensure consumers aren’t misled. But what does that mean for the words we use—like “beef,” “chicken,” or even “bacon”? Read the full article An Increasing Regulatory Maze for Nontraditional Meat Product...
Today, we’re diving into a story that’s been making waves: radioactive shrimp. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s very real. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents recently intercepted multiple shipments of cloves and frozen shrimp from two Indonesian islands—Java and Sumatra—that tested positive for Cesium-137. So what comes next? Read the full article FDA Wields Additional Import Power for First TimeAbout the author Andrew R. de Holl
Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Alex de Gramont, a partner in the Business Litigation Group, and leader of the firm’s International Disputes Practice.
Today’s topic is a federal case that’s got some in the sports world playing defense: charges against former and current NBA players and coaches for illegal sports gambling, rigged poker games, and organized crime. Read the full article Former and Current NBA Players and Coaches Have Been Charged Under Federal Law. What Law?About the authors Glenn J. LightKarl F. RutledgeJason C. HicksDon Lee
In today's episode, we’re talking about something that most people probably didn’t know was a thing: buying buildings from the federal government. Read the full article Guide to Buying Buildings From the Federal GovernmentAbout the authors Pamela V. RothenbergPatrice Z. Howard, Ph.D.