In this issue - #120 January 29, 2009

Pushor Mitchell LLP is pleased to welcome Blair Forrest as a partner to the firm. Blair has earned a solid reputation representing clients in the areas of business law; technology law and intellectual property law, including securities, trade-marks, early stage companies and venture capital. He is involved in the community with the Central Okanagan Child Development Agency and youth sports. Blair can be contacted at 250-869-1160 or forrest@pushormithcell.com

Tom Fellhauer, our tax partner, has been elected as the Chair of the Board of the Central Okanagan Foundation for a two year term. 

Bill 22 permits government to recover past and future health care costs which have been paid or will be paid by the government regarding injuries that were the result of negligence or wrongdoing of a third party.

The Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), a provincial Crown corporation responsible for licensing residential builders in B.C. and administering Owner Builder Authorizations, is pleased to launch the New Homes Registry.

On February 20, 2009, real estate developers (“Developers”) will become subject to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (the “Act”).

Please click on the following link to access Vanessa DeDominicis’ follow up article from last month’s issue of Legal Alert, summarizing the key advantages and disadvantages for realtors contemplating incorporation.

Most people assume that art crime consists of only a handful of museum heists each year; in actuality, it has become the third-highest–grossing world criminal trade over the past 40 years.

On January 8, 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada released a long-awaited decision involving the application of the general anti-avoidance rule.

Apple has been recently awarded a patent covering the user interface screen of their iPhone.

A recent study published by a California non-profit organization called Next 10 has once again demonstrated the links between patent registrations, investment and job creation.

More than 25 brands of weight loss pills and dietary supplements contain undeclared -- and potentially harmful -- pharmaceutical ingredients, and should be avoided by consumers.