Posted: January 7th, 2017
By: Charity Barger*| Staff Writer
Airbnb is one of the largest home sharing networks in the world. The network has over two million listings. Airbnb’s website attracts its customers by creating the opportunity to “book unique homes and experience a city like a local.” An Airbnb rental is very attractive to the younger generation of travelers because of its ambiance and price. “Airbnb has created a new opportunity for some of the better quality hostel operators that are halfway between Airbnb and a hotel to seize on a new style of hotel,” said Mr. Hanson of N.Y.U. Continue reading »
Posted: January 3rd, 2017
By: Doriyon Glass*| Staff Writer
The Supreme Court’s decision in Star Athletica, LLC v. Varsity Brands, Inc., may have huge implications on the fashion industry. Varsity Brands (Varsity) is one of the largest cheerleader uniform suppliers, they claim their uniforms contain something unique: copyrightable works of art. Varsity received U.S. copyright registrations on five designs in which it claims that Star Athletica’s (Star) cheerleading uniforms infringe on. The issue is whether these designs on cheerleader uniforms can be protected by the Copyright Act. Continue reading »
Posted: December 27th, 2016
By: Anna-Bryce Flowe*| Staff Writer
As some cheers and some tears echoed around the nation over the Presidential election, the voters of Massachusetts were largely celebrating a victory, the passing of The Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals. The Act was dubbed “Question 3” by the media and news outlets tracking the Act’s success during the polls. It aimed to ban the sale of foods derived from animals raised in less than ideal conditions: small cages where animals can barely turn around or extend their limbs. Question 3 received seventy-eight percent approval by the Massachusetts voters in November. Thus, the ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, under regulations that will be written by Jan. 1, 2020. The most progressive animal safety act of its kind in the nation, the language of the Act will likely be copied by a number of other states looking to improve their animal safety laws. Only one other state, California, currently bans the sale of eggs from confined hens. Continue reading »
Posted: December 12th, 2016
By: Anna-Bryce Flowe*| Staff Writer
We’ve all gotten those annoying calls to our cell phones with an automated voice on the other end of the phone trying to sell us a cruise or a trip for two to the Bahamas; even creditors use these automated voices to keep us on the line while they try and collect on debts owed, refinance our cars, or upgrade us to a new credit card! For years people have used the typical “ TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST!” demand as a means of dodging these unwanted calls to their landlines. But, is this demand to cease calling effective when the calls come to your cell phone? What about when you provide your cell phone number to the calling party? And, who— by law—is actually able to keep calling you with these “robocalls” regardless of your attempts to remove your number from their “List?” Continue reading »
Posted: November 30th, 2016
By: Zack Young*| Staff Writer
The two dominant U.S.-based daily fantasy sports websites, DraftKings and FanDuel, agreed to a merger on Friday, November 18, 2016, amid a firestorm of questions regarding each company’s legality and future value. The merger caps off nearly two years of on-again, off-again discussions about the two joining forces, and is expected by both to be the best move going forward to continue their daily fantasy sports business. DraftKings co-founder Jason Robins will become CEO of the new company and FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles will serve as chairman of the board. The name of the new company has not yet been revealed, but we do know it will have headquarters in New York and Boston. Continue reading »
Posted: November 16th, 2016
By: Zack Young*| Staff Writer
On April 6, 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL), in a final rule issuance, determined pension plan investment advisers will now be held to a fiduciary standard in every investment advising situation, completing a nearly six year process and expanding the reach of the fiduciary standard to pension plan advisers. While the rule will not take effect until April 10, 2017, the majority of investment advisers providing advice to pension plans will need to consider the new rule and its impact on their business models and investment strategies going forward. In a $12 trillion industry, pension plan investment advisers have their work cut out for them over the next few months to move from a suitability standard of advising to a fiduciary standard. Continue reading »
Posted: November 7th, 2016
By: Charity Barger*| Staff Writer
In America today, many households are dual-career households, meaning both parents have jobs outside of the home. However, there is no federal legal requirement that businesses provide paid sick leave to their employees, although some companies are required to offer unpaid sick leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. In fact, the United States is the only wealthy nation that does not require a minimum of paid sick leave. Continue reading »
Posted: October 28th, 2016
By: Libby Casale*| Staff Writer
Trader Joe’s in Orlando, Florida
Trader Joe’s first opened in 1967 in Southern California. Trader Joe’s seeks to embody a farmer’s market style feel, with unique and exclusive products. There are Trader Joe’s stores in forty-one states and Washington, D.C. There are no Trader Joe’s stores in Canada.
Pirate Joe’s is a Canadian grocery store that sells Trader Joe’s goods. The goods are purchased at Trader Joe’s in America and then moved across the border to Vancouver. The goods are sold at a 30-40% markup. Pirate Joe’s also imports other brands that Canadians do not have access to. Continue reading »
Posted: October 23rd, 2016
By: Anna-Bryce Flowe*| Staff Writer
Yahoo!, the technology tycoon that took the Internet by storm in the early 2000’s, announced that upwards of 500 million user accounts were victim to a data breach of the company’s technology infrastructure in early 2014. An uproar ensued, as people questioned why and how the Company could wait nearly two years to inform the public. The massive data breach of Yahoo’s infrastructure also affected many Flickr accounts tied to Yahoo ID’s for the photo-sharing service. A former Yahoo executive suggested that the number of effected users might be closer to one billion. Continue reading »
Posted: October 18th, 2016
By: Charity Barger*| Staff Writer
In today’s fast-paced society, written agreements are entered into constantly. However, it is not always clear what these agreements entail. It is difficult today to apply for a credit card, use a cellphone, or shop online without agreeing to private arbitration. However, not all consumers are aware that these private arbitration clauses even exist or what they have agreed to. Continue reading »
