Thought Leadership - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Protecting Musicians in GenAI: Key Takeaways From the U.S. Copyright Office

Generative AI presents a profound opportunity and challenge for artists in the music industry.

Cash is King: How A Capital Strategy Can Enable Today’s Startups to Survive

2023 has proved to be challenging for many cash-conscious startups, especially those that anticipated raising venture capital in the first half of the year.

Regulation of AI Systems is Already Here – Look to Data Protection Laws

As the scramble continues to reckon with the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT, Bard, DALL-E, and Midjourney, and the promise of other AI and machine learning systems (for simplicity, “AI systems”) to come, legal and business professionals across industries are asking whether these systems will be regulated, and if so, how.

Carbon Capture and Sequestration – “Essential,” But Too Little, Too Late?

Manatt Land Use Partner David Smith wrote an article for Energy Law Journal about the efforts to adopt carbon dioxide removal strategies and the necessity of enacting them to combat climate change and accomplish Paris Agreement objectives.@Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) consists of methods such as carbon capture and sequestration, direct air capture, and @net-zero@ emissions aimed at reducing the...

Startup Financing: When Is a SAFE Not So Safe?

Startups have been raising money using the Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) since it was first introduced by Y Combinator in 2013.

Startups, SAFE Act, Financing, Entrepreneurs

Manatt Represents Iron Pillar in Pando’s $30M Series B Funding

A Manatt team successfully represented Iron Pillar, a venture growth investor backing companies building from India for the world, as the lead investor in Pando’s $30 million Series B funding.

AI Has Captured the Attention of the U.S. Public—and Federal Enforcers

Four federal agencies issued a unique Joint Statement this week on enforcement priorities related to “automated systems,” including artificial intelligence.

Berkeley’s Natural Gas Ban in New Housing and Businesses Not Allowed, Says Ninth Circuit

Local or state regulations seeking to decarbonize new buildings by banning natural gas appliances or infrastructure are preempted under federal law according to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Climate Disclosure Mandates: California Lawmakers Press Forward Ahead of Forthcoming Federal Rule

Two proposed climate-related disclosure mandate laws moved closer to becoming law in California.

Top Five Employment Issues Upon a Sudden Bank Failure

The sudden closure of a bank can create a host of ripple effects.