Cybill Shepard and Bruce Willis are back

Moonlighting – Breaking News

Dear Fellow TV Enthusiasts.

Have you ever wanted to step into a time machine and relive the golden era of television? Well, dust off your shoulder pads and tease up that big hair because "Moonlighting" is back, and it's now streaming on Hulu! Grab your popcorn, and let's take a stroll down memory lane.

For those of you who might not have had the privilege of experiencing this gem the first time, "Moonlighting" was a TV show that aired from 1985 to 1989. It was a perfect blend of mystery, comedy, romance, and, of course, the unmistakable charm of the 1980s.

Starring the charismatic Bruce Willis as David Addison and the ever-so-lovable Cybill Shepherd as Maddie Hayes, "Moonlighting" followed the misadventures of a private detective agency, Blue Moon Investigations. What made this show truly special was the electrifying chemistry between the two leads. Their witty banter, on-screen tension, and undeniable chemistry set the standard for TV couples for years.

And let's not forget the iconic musical moments. The show introduced us to some memorable musical performances featuring Cybill Shepherd's incredible singing talent, with episodes dedicated to song and dance. Who could forget "Big Man on Mulberry Street" by Billy Joel, performed with dazzling choreography?

But why did the Streaming executives not jump on this great peace of TV history before? One great thing about Moonlighting is the music – it is loaded with it! The problem is that none of the music rights have been sewn up, and Disney, who owned the show, believed it would be cost-prohibitive to get them now.

Not so Hulu – they went for it and got it! Hulu got the right for most of the TV show's songs, specifically for the songs sung on-screen by Shepard, Willis, and the supporting cast.

So whether you're revisiting "Moonlighting" or diving into it for the first time, you're in for a treat. From its sharp writing to the nods to classic Hollywood cinema and the dynamic chemistry between Willis and Shepherd, this show has something for everyone.

So, kick back, hit play on your Hulu subscription, and get ready to be swept off your feet by the charm, humor, and nostalgia of "Moonlighting." It's the perfect way to relive the 80s and be reminded of why this era was truly unforgettable.

As the theme song goes, "Some walk by night, some by day, Moonlighting strangers who just met on the way." Don't miss out on this iconic TV show now streaming on Hulu. It's a nostalgic journey you won't want to miss!

Happy watching, and stay tuned for more blasts from the past!

Marius Krause, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte

Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is a law that requires certain businesses to disclose ownership and other information to the US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The purpose of the CTA is to combat financial crime and assist law enforcement in detecting criminal activity by creating a centralized database of information about who owns and operates US businesses. Enacted in 2021, the law is set to go into effect starting January 1, 2024. The CTA has broad reporting implications for both current businesses and businesses that will be formed after January 1, 2024.

The CTA requires information about the “reporting company,” each “beneficial owner” of the company, and any “company applicants”. After the initial report, there is no annual or quarterly filing requirement, only that the company must update its documents if its information has changed.

Reporting Companies are companies that operate in the US and were either formed with US law (domestic reporting company) or formed with foreign law (foreign reporting company). A reporting company must disclose its full legal name, trade name, current US address, state or foreign jurisdiction of formation, IRS ID and EINs, and state jurisdiction of first registration for foreign reporting companies. Beneficial Owners are individuals who either substantially control the reporting company (examples include senior officers like presidents, CEOs, etc.) or own at least twenty-five percent of the company’s ownership interest. Company Applicants are individuals who either directly filed the documents that created the reporting company or were primarily responsible for directing the filing. Companies must report the beneficial owner and company applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, current address, and a unique identifying number like a US state driver’s license or foreign passport.

If the reporting company exists before January 1, 2024, it must file its initial report by January 1, 2025. If the company is created after January 1, 2024, it only has thirty days after its creation to make its filing. Failure to make these required filings can lead to civil and criminal penalties as serious as two years imprisonment and/or $10,000 in fines. 

Save for a few exceptions: the CTA will affect the vast majority of companies that operate in the US. Therefore, companies must know the information they are required to report and which timeline they will have to file these required reports.

Luca Tappa, Law Clerk, BridgehouseLaw LLP, Charlotte

Image Freepik

New Apple Products, Consumer Suspicion, and Transparency in the Tech Industry

Fall has come again, and in what feels like a cyclical tech tradition, many older iPhone models have undergone a ‘slow-down’ as new iPhone models are released.

Many in the U.S. and globally feel that Apple secretly releases software to phase older iPhone models into obsolescence when new ones are released to drive profits and create additional reliance on Apple’s product line and repair options. In 2017, Apple even admitted that a new software release weakened the performance of older iPhone models – lending some credence to the masses’ belief of nefarious corporate behavior from Apple. In 2020, Apple folded in a class action lawsuit and agreed to pay a settlement fee for not informing Apple product users of the potential for new software to slow older devices. Individuals owed money under that settlement agreement received money this Fall, 2023.

Despite the understanding that new software sometimes slows old devices and confirms such from Apple, people have remained suspicious of Apple whenever new products are released. For example, there is an active investigation into Apple’s purportedly nefarious “planned obsolescence” in France. Additionally, a case against Apple for over a billion dollars was recently approved to move forward in the UK for the same underlying reason.

The older and more recent cases illustrate a tendency for individuals worldwide to distrust big tech. Perhaps it is because tech is an industry where laypeople lack deep knowledge of products and how software may affect hardware. The ongoing suspicion manifests the expectation for tech products to be efficient and remain efficient over time. Or, of course, the distrust may be well founded – at least in these cases against Apple.

The tech industry would do well, in the face of consumer protection regulations and in the eyes of its consumers, to be as transparent as possible when releasing new technologies that may impact the performance of old devices. Consumer welfare, in part, hinges on ensuring an informed consumer population. Apple likely faces an uphill battle to rebuild trust with its consumers, and it can certainly expect to continue trudging through legal adversity in the face of these new lawsuits and investigations.

Sources

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230515-france-investigating-apple-over-alleged-planned-obsolescence-for-smartphones

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/technology/personaltech/new-iphones-slow-tech-myth.html

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-to-start-paying-out-500m-in-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit/

https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/02/apple_batterygate_uk/

Cole Haaf, BridgehouseLaw Charlotte

image by Freernge Stock

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November 2023

Volume 15 Issue 11