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January 5, 2016
A precedential judgment in the matter of transfer pricing shuffles the cards as to granting options to employees
A judgment in the Contira case was handed down two weeks ago in the district court which dramatically changes the Cost Plus issues relevant to certain Israeli companies which provideservices to a foreign relatedcompany. The judgment impacts on the situation where the Israeli company’s employees are granted options in the framework of Section 102 of the Income Tax Ordinance (capital track).
January 4, 2016
Finally, crowdfunding comes to Israel
Ariella Dreyfuss Adv. published an article in the leading legal English website "The Lawyer" discussing the new law in Israel relating to alternative means of raising funds. The goal of the law is to assist small Israeli companies in their efforts to raise funds through the social phenomena of crowdfunding, and the establishment of high-tech funds to be traded on a new index on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
January 3, 2016
Finally, Crowdfunding comes to Israel
The social phenomena of crowdfunding, adopted by high-tech startups as an alternative means to raise funds, was previously limited in Israel by Israel’s Securities Law. Section 15 of the law dictates that any offer or sale of shares to the public (i.e. to more than 35 potential investors) requires the issuance of a prospectus approved by the Securities Authority; a timely and costly endeavor, rendering crowdfunding prohibitive in Israel.
January 1, 2016
Barnea & Co. appoints new partners
Effective as of January 1, 2016, Barnea appointed 3 new partners: Ilan Blumenfeld who specializes in Antitrust laws, the Kibbutz sector and advising on corporate matters; Liat Keisary who specializes in advising private clients and on real estate law; and Ariella Dreyfuss who specializes in advising technology companies and on MA transactions.
December 29, 2015
Release from liability, indemnity, and officers’ insurance in an Israeli charitable organization – is it possible?
Arrangements providing release from liability, indemnity and insurance to officers in an Israeli charitable organization ’amutah’ (or ‘amutot’ in plural; the Hebrew words referring to charitable organizations) (and in Israeli Public Benefit Companies) have been gaining momentum recently, both on the part of officers of such NPO’s who are seeking shelter under arrangements similar to those customary in business companies, and on the part of insurance companies, which consider third-sector organizations as being a market offering considerable untapped business potential.
December 28, 2015
2015 employment laws: important rulings made this year
The leading Israeli newspaper Globes, interviewed employment experts, including our Head of Employment Department in order to discuss the most influential rulings in this area.
December 24, 2015
Challenges in financing projects in the renewable-energy economy in Israel
As part of the global trend towards finding energy alternatives and towards encouraging the establishment of renewable-energy projects, the State of Israel has issued several significant tenders in recent years with the aim of securing cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Such tenders include two separate tenders for the construction and operation of two solar-thermal power plants (Plot A and Plot B) in the vicinity of Kibbutz Ashalim in southern Israel and the Gilboa hydroelectric pumped storage power station.
December 24, 2015
Trends In The TMT Industry
The Technology, Media Telecommunications area is changing. We are now seeing new products, new services and innovation at a faster rate than ever before. The Israeli government identifies TMT as one of the most robust areas of the Israeli economy today and it encourages multinational companies to develop their IP within Israel. The government provides tax benefits, funds and grants to companies who develop their IP in Israel, under domestic and international programs, agreements, treaties and collaborations.
December 23, 2015
Exemption from responsibility, indemnification and insurance of officers associations - is it possible and how?
Arrangements for exemption from responsibility, indemnification and insurance of officers associations (in the benefit of the public) have been gaining momentum recently, both by officers in these organizations seeking shelter under these arrangements, similar to officers in commercial companies, as well as from insurance companies that see the third sector as a potential market.
December 22, 2015
Hungary- the standard VAT rate of 27% will be reduced in 2016 to 5% for the sale of newly constructed residences
Since the number of newly constructed apartments and houses dropped drastically in Hungary in recent years, the aim of the VAT amendment is to increase the number of residential properties available on the Hungarian market. Adv. Gal Oren, who has extensive experience in the Hungarian market, was interviewed by Calcalist.
December 14, 2015
Israeli private and public companies may submit documents to the Companies’ registrar in English
In an article published in The Lawyer and Lexology, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss and Adv. Asaf Shalev explain that a new draft bill, published at the beginning of the month, proposes that Israeli private and public companies should be able to submit documents to the Israeli Companies Registrar in English. The aim of the bill is to ease the process for foreign parties interested in investing in Israeli business and participating in Israel’s high tech story.
December 14, 2015
Founders’ agreement – in a nutshell
A founders’ agreement is the first encounter between entrepreneurs who are embarking on a joint venture to establish a successful start-up company. A founders’ agreement reflects the relationship between the entrepreneurs inter se and between each of them and the joint venture. The importance of this agreement should not be underestimated. This comprehensive agreement, which is tailored to the nature, needs and aspirations of each of the entrepreneurs, and particularly those of the new venture, provides a strong foundation for a healthy and successful company.
December 13, 2015
The Israeli Registrar of Companies now in English - Increasing Certainty
The State of Israel has two official languages – Hebrew and Arabic. As a result, in recent years the Israeli Companies Registrar has held that all documents submitted to the Registrar have to be submitted in either of these official languages. If a document was submitted in English it would be rejected. Such documents include the constitutional documents – the articles of association of Israeli companies and debentures creating pledges over the assets of such companies.
December 9, 2015
Technology, Media & Telecommunications 2015 round table
Micky Barnea was one of nine experts from around the world who participated in the "Corporate Livewire" virtual round table. The subject of the event was Technology, Media Telecommunications 2015.
Micky discussed recent regulatory changes, key trends and Intellectual Property in the Media Industry.
December 8, 2015
InterGame 2016 directory
Our firm was chosen as one of the three best Israeli law offices providing services in the gaming and gambling industry by the InterGame 2016 directory. The InterGame is the ultimate portal for the coin-op amusement, casino and online gaming industries.
December 7, 2015
Gambling via Mobile Device – Constraints and Opportunities
The online gambling industry generates billions of dollars annually and is one of the burgeoning industries on the internet today. The growth of this industry spurred online gambling operators to search for additional operating channels, besides PCs and laptops, such as applications customized for mobile phones and handheld devices that may be used on membership-based websites (such as online casinos).
November 29, 2015
Employee or independent? Ways to save money at the fast approaching end of the tax year, 2015.
What can the taxpayer do to take advantage of available tax breaks and allowances?
Tax experts, including adv. Harel Perlmutter, discuss these issues on Ynet.
November 27, 2015
Overview of the changes in the Internet gambling industry
Increasing competition in the online gambling industry is motivating leading players in the industry to try to find new sources of income.
November 26, 2015
Israel signs OECD Automatic Tax Information Exchange Agreement
Israel signed the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) to facilitate the automatic exchange of financial information, boosting the number of signatories to 91 and enhancing the global efforts against tax evasion, the OECD announced.
Harel Perlmutter was interviewed by Bloomberg BNA about this agreement.
November 25, 2015
Israeli Court eases TASE listing rules for foreign listed companies
The Economics Department of the Tel-Aviv – Jaffa District Court is continuing to issue precedent rulings, and this time, in relation to the interpretation of section 46.B. of the Securities Law, 5728 – 1968.
Discussions had been underway for some time between Mylan N.V., a foreign public company traded on the NASDAQ, and Perrigo Company Plc., a foreign company traded on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, relating to Mylan’s potential acquisition of Perrigo’s shares. After these discussions failed to mature into a transaction, Mylan announced in the United States its firm intention of publishing a tender offer for Perrigo’s shares, despite the fact that Perrigo’s board of directors had rejected the offer (i.e., a hostile takeover).