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January 6, 2016
Do you play Texas Hold’em? An important court verdict was lately issued on this subject
Recently, the District Court discussed the legality of the Texas Hold’em Poker game. This was due to a criminal appeal against a Magistrate Court's verdict in regards to the charges that were served against the appellant and her husband, for organizing a Texas Hold’em Poker tournament in their apartment.
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
Crowdfunding Comes to Israel
Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss published an article in The Lawyer, a leading UK legal publication, examining new Israeli legislation on alternative fundraising methods. The law aims to help small Israeli companies raise capital through crowdfunding and facilitate 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 Appoints New Partners
Effective January 1, 2016, Barnea appointed three new partners: Adv. Ilan Blumenfeld, who specializes in antitrust law, the kibbutz sector, and corporate matters; Adv. Liat Keisary, who advises private clients and specializes in real estate law; and Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss, who advises technology companies and specializes in 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
Employment Law: Important Rulings 2015
Globes, a leading Israeli newspaper, interviewed employment experts, including partners from our Employment Department, on the most influential labor law rulings in 2015.
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 Liability, Indemnification, and Insurance for Officers of Associations: Is It Possible and How?
Interest in arrangements for exemption from liability, indemnification, and insurance for officers of public-benefit associations has grown recently. This interest comes both from officers seeking protections similar to those available to their counterparts in commercial companies and from insurers that view the third sector as a potential market.
December 22, 2015
Hungary Reduces Standard VAT Rate for 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 Companies May Submit Documents to Companies Registrar in English
In an article published in The Lawyer and Lexology, Adv. Ariella Dreyfuss and Adv. Asaf Shalev discuss a draft bill published earlier this month that would allow Israeli private and public companies to submit documents to the Israeli Companies Registrar in English. The bill aims to make it easier for foreign investors to invest in Israeli businesses and participate in Israel’s high-tech sector.
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 Roundtable
Adv. Micky Barnea was one of nine experts from around the world who participated in Corporate LiveWire’s virtual roundtable on Technology, Media and Telecommunications in 2015. Micky discussed recent regulatory changes, key trends, and intellectual property in the media industry.
December 8, 2015
InterGame 2016 Directory
Our firm was named one of Israel’s top three law firms serving the gaming and gambling industry in the InterGame 2016 directory. InterGame is a leading portal for the coin-operated 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? How to Save Money as End of Tax Year Approaches
What can taxpayers do to take advantage of available tax breaks and allowances? Tax experts, including Adv. Harel Perlmutter, discuss these issues in an interview with Ynet.
November 27, 2015
Overview of 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 has signed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA), which facilitates the automatic exchange of financial information. Israel’s participation brings the number of signatories to 91 and strengthens global efforts to combat tax evasion. Adv. Harel Perlmutter was interviewed by Bloomberg BNA about the agreement.