Here are some compliance related stories that caught my eye:
Playmobil Apple Store Playset from ThinkGeek
So when we spotted this amazing Apple Store Playset from PLAYMOBIL™ we were admittedly in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, it’s a product designed for children much younger than ourselves. On the other hand, it’s a tiny representation of the store which sells us all the shiny Apple goodies we can’t resist. Then we noticed that the PLAYMOBIL™ iStore includes amazingly tiny iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads. Our resolve began to waver. A quick peek at the miniature Genius Bar and we were feeling a bit woozy. Then we saw the tiny Steve Jobs presenting in the Keynote Theater on the top floor and that was it. Our wallets popped out faster than you can say Jonathan Ive and we plunked down whatever money was needed to own this amazing playset.
Of course, once we had the playset, we had to get the optional Line Pack to simulate our own exciting Apple product launches. Since it comes with a tiny Woz on a tiny Segway, it was a no-brainer. We decided that Apple & PLAYMOBIL™ together is the most unlikely and awesome collaboration ever. It changes everything.
Real Estate Fund Managers No Longer Need to Worry About SEC Registration from Shearman and Sterling
The financial reform legislation currently before the U.S. Congress, including the bill passed Friday by the House of Representatives, targets hedge fund managers, but would not strip away an exemption from U.S. investment adviser registration rules that is important to real estate fund managers as well. If real estate-focused fund managers were required to become registered investment advisers under the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, they would find that compliance with the Advisers Act can impose significant burdens and expense.
French Data Protection Act Revoked
Anonymous hotline rules change.
STOCK Act Passes, banning Insider Trading by Members of Congress
The new law sponsored by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) prohibits members of Congress and federal employees from profiting, or helping others profit, from non-public information—primarily through stock and futures trading—gleaned through their access to privileged, political-based information.
UK Justice Minister Says They are too Busy to Prosecute Under the Bribery Act
“I welcome the Government’s published guidance on the Bribery Act, but the Act is not important for the UK and UK business. We shall not be enforcing the Act, although we are still keen to listen to the specific issues that companies have and to work with them to resolve problems pragmatically and fairly. We have better ways to spend out time.”
Did I get these stories right? What day is it?
:-) Nice.