Ropes & Gray In Conversation

Episodes

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  Manhattan District Attorney Launches New Corporate Crime and Antitrust Task Force 19.10.2026 4m

  This episode discusses the Manhattan District Attorney’s new Corporate Crime and Antitrust Task Force, highlighting expanded state-level enforcement risks—including AI-facilitated offenses—for organizations and their leaders, with a focus on "systemic accountability" and heightened scrutiny of key sectors and counterparties.
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  SEC Proposes Comprehensive Overhaul of Rule 17a-7 19.10.2026 3m

  This episode provides a concise overview of the SEC’s October 9, 2026 proposed Rule 17A-7 under the 1940 Act, highlighting expanded eligibility for cross-trades, updated pricing methods, new compliance and oversight responsibilities, and the operational and reporting impacts for fund advisors and compliance officers.
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  SEC Staff Greenlights Directed Voting Programs for Funds 30.09.2026 4m

  This episode covers the SEC’s September 2026 no-action letter to the Mutual Fund Directors Forum, explaining the approval of a “Directed Voting Program” for mutual funds, how it incorporates retail voting frameworks and governance safeguards under the 1940 Act, and what it means for fund shareholders amid rising proxy campaign costs.To read the alert that this AI-generated podcast is based on, please visit: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/insights/alerts/2026/09/sec-staff-greenlights-directed-voting-programs-for-funds
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  Ninth Circuit Rules Generative AI Outputs Are Not "Stripped Copies" Under the DMCA 23.09.2026 4m

  This episode breaks down the Ninth Circuit’s September 2026 decision in Dovi v. GitHub, Inc., exploring how the DMCA applies to generative AI coding tools and what the ruling means for developers, enterprises, and investors.  To read the alert that this AI-generated podcast is based on, please visit: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/insights/alerts/2026/09/ninth-circuit-rules-generative-ai-outputs-are-not-stripped-copies-under-the-dmca
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  DOJ's New National Fraud Enforcement Division Signals Where It Will Focus in Inaugural Memorandum 17.08.2026 3m

  This episode explores the Department of Justice's new National Fraud Enforcement Division, highlighting its data-driven approach to targeting fraud against taxpayer dollars and advising companies in high-risk industries to proactively strengthen compliance and data analytics.To read the alert that this AI-generated podcast is based on, please visit: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/insights/alerts/2026/08/dojs-new-national-fraud-enforcement-division-signals-where-it-will-focus-in-inaugural-memorandum
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  Delaware and New York State Courts Reject Unusual Theory Under the Securities Act 14.08.2026 3m

  This episode examines recent Delaware and New York court decisions dismissing Securities Act claims against mutual funds, clarifying that industry-standard, GAAP-compliant accounting practices do not constitute material misstatements or omissions under federal securities law.To read the alert that this AI-generated podcast is based on, please visit: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/insights/alerts/2026/08/delaware-and-new-york-state-courts-reject-unusual-theory-under-the-securities-act
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  Tool or Intruder? What Amazon v. Perplexity Means for Agentic AI and the CFAA 10.08.2026 4m

  This episode explores the Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Amazon.com Services LLC v. Perplexity AI, where the court clarified that using an AI assistant to navigate a website does not constitute unauthorized access under the CFAA, and discusses the implications for businesses, AI developers, and the future of legal and technical protections for online data. To read the alert that this AI-generated podcast is based on, please visit: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/insights/alerts/2026/08/tool-or-intruder-what-amazon-v-perplexity-means-for-agentic-ai-and-the-cfaa
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  SEC Clarifies ETF Treatment of Creation Baskets During Passive Concentration Exceedances 29.07.2026 4m

  This episode outlines the SEC’s July 27, 2026 no-action letter granting regulatory relief to ETFs for passive exceedances of industry concentration limits, outlining the specific scenarios covered and the operational steps advisors must take to ensure compliance.
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  SEC Proposes Rule Changes to Make E-Delivery the Default Option 24.07.2026 3m

  This episode examines the SEC’s proposed Regulation E-Delivery framework, which would allow registered investment companies and business development companies to deliver required information electronically by default, subject to specific conditions and exclusions. 
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  Federal District Court Allows DOJ Bulk Data Rule-Based Class Claim to Proceed: A Bellwether for Private Litigation Risk and Corporate Compliance 14.07.2026 3m

  This episode explores the first federal court decision allowing a claim based on the DOJ's Bulk Data Rule to survive a motion to dismiss, highlighting new class action risks for cross-border data transactions involving countries of concern. The discussion covers the legal implications of Baker v. Index Exchange and the intersection of international trade, data privacy, and ECPA litigation.
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  In New Exemptive Order, SEC Expands Availability of Five Business Day Tender and Exchange Offers for Non-Convertible Debt Securities 01.07.2026 4m

  This episode provides a concise overview of the SEC’s new Exemptive Order, which shortens the minimum open period for tender or exchange offers for non-convertible debt securities from 20 to five business days. Key legal and procedural updates—including expanded participant eligibility, relaxed consideration standards, and streamlined mechanics—are discussed to help market participants understand the impact of these changes.
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  Supreme Court Slims Down the Induced Infringement Cause of Action for Skinny Labels: Implications of Hikma Pharmaceuticals on Life Sciences Innovators 24.06.2026 4m

  This episode breaks down the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA v. Ameren Pharma Inc., exploring its impact on skinny labels, induced patent infringement, and the regulatory landscape for generic drug manufacturers. 
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  Twelfth Draft Amendment to the German Merger Control Thresholds 22.06.2026 5m

  This episode delivers a concise overview of the draft 12th amendment to the German Act Against Restrictions of Competition, published by the German Coalition Government on June 4. The discussion covers key changes, including higher turnover thresholds for routine acquisitions, expanded applicability of the Transaction Value Threshold (TVT), and the introduction of a new preliminary review phase. Learn how these updates could impact merger notifications, transaction reviews, and referrals to the European Commission.
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  Supreme Court Holds No Implied Private Right of Action Under Section 47(b) of the Investment Company Act 12.06.2026 3m

  Explore the latest Supreme Court decision in F.S. Credit Opportunities Corp. v. Sabec Capital Master Fund, LTD., as we break down the 6-3 ruling’s impact on the Investment Company Act of 1940. This episode explains why the Court found Section 47B does not grant private parties the right to sue for contract rescission, how activist investors had used this provision, and what the decision means for investment management companies and business development companies. Gain insights into strengthened anti-takeover defenses, reduced litigation risk, and the reaffirmed role of the SEC as primary enforcer.
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  Department of Defense Releases Updated 1260H List That Includes WuXi AppTec – Implications under the BIOSECURE Act 10.06.2026 4m

  Explore the latest updates to the U.S. Department of Defense 1260H list and their implications under the Biosecure Act on this episode. The hosts break down which Chinese companies were newly added, clarify distinctions between entities like Wuxi App Tech and Wuxi Biologics, and explain what these changes mean for federal contractors, grant recipients, and institutions. Learn about compliance timelines, upcoming prohibitions, key exemptions, and what steps organizations should take now to prepare.
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  IRS Announces Intent to Issue Regulations on Expanded Executive Compensation Excise Tax for Tax-Exempt Organizations 08.06.2026 3m

  This episode breaks down how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) expands the Section 4960 excise tax on executive compensation, shifting the definition of "covered employee" from the top five earners to any employee earning over $1 million. The discussion covers key changes, including preserved and eliminated exceptions for related organization employees, and clarifies the retroactive reach of the new rules.
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  New York's Expanded Health Care Transaction Oversight Bill Fails for the Second Consecutive Year 02.06.2026 3m

  This episode provides a concise update on New York’s health care transaction oversight following the 2026–2027 state budget. Hosts discuss the exclusion of proposed amendments, how New York’s requirements compare to other states, and what health care entities and investors should watch for next. 
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  SEC Proposes Expanded Offering Reforms for Closed-End Funds and BDCs 28.05.2026 3m

  In this episode, we deliver a concise analysis of the SEC’s May 19, 2026 release proposing major amendments to the registered offering framework for business development companies (BDCs) and registered closed-end funds (CEFs). The discussion centers on the SEC’s push for parity between these funds and operating companies, including the elimination of public float thresholds, the introduction of new eligibility categories based on exchange listing and reporting compliance, and expanded access to short-form registration and shelf offerings. We also break down the implications for unlisted and non-traded funds, including federal preemption of state registration for certain BDCs and changes to Rule 473. 
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  SEC Proposes Major Overhaul of Public Company Reporting Framework: Two-Tier Filer Status System, Expanded Disclosure Accommodations, and New Relief for the Smallest Filers 19.05.2026 4m

  In this episode, we break down the SEC’s May 19, 2026 proposed amendments to the public company reporting framework. The discussion covers the most sweeping simplification of filer status in over twenty years, including the elimination of intermediate filer categories and a sharp increase in the large accelerated filer (LAF) threshold from $700 million to $2 billion. We explain how these changes will shift nearly 80% of public companies to non-accelerated filer (NAF) status, resulting in significant compliance cost reductions and streamlined reporting requirements.
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  China’s NMPA Issues Final Measures on Regulatory Data Protection 19.05.2026 4m

  This episode offers a concise breakdown of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and its newly issued implementation measures for drug trial data protection, effective May 15, 2026. The hosts explain which types of data are eligible for protection, detail the NMPA’s tiered system—ranging from six years for innovative drugs to zero for follow-on generics—and clarify the procedural requirements for securing these rights. They also discuss the critical operational impacts for life sciences companies, including the need for early strategic planning and the implications of strict filing windows.