In our ever-shrinking world, protecting information security and privacy data is a ubiquitous business concern. Virtually every industry is affected by these regulations. In this podcast, partner Deborah Thoren-Peden, head of Pillsbury's Privacy, Data Security & Information Use practice is joined by Michael Brauneis, Managing Director of Protiviti's Global Financial Services and Regulatory Risk Consulting practices, for a discussion about U.S. privacy laws and regulations.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) formally approved for the first time a long-term wet lease from a non-US airline to a US airline. This first wet lease involved a Boeing 767-300F aircraft of euroAtlantic Airways, a European airline based in Portugal specializing in aircraft wet leasing and charters around the world.

A judge in the Southern District of New York has thrown out an antitrust lawsuit against magazine publishers, including Pillsbury client American Media, Inc., and others in the magazine business brought by wholesaler Anderson News, L.L.C. and a related company that alleged a conspiracy to drive Anderson out of business.

Earlier this year, the IRS announced it was undertaking its first study in 25 years related to payroll and employment tax issues. As part of this study, the IRS is auditing up to 6,000 companies at random over the next three years to ensure businesses have not misclassified employees as contractors to avoid paying payroll and unemployment taxes, as well as other payroll-related issues. Are you at risk? Watch this short video to learn more.

Cliff Harrington, head of Pillsbury's Communications practice, testified before the Technology Committee of the New York City Council on behalf of the New York State Association of Broadcasters, Inc.

Pillsbury's Private Equity & Venture Capital team in Shanghai, led by partner Joseph Chan, was just named "Best Investment Institution Counselor of the Year" at the 2010 TopCapital Investment and Investor Awards.