So far, restructurings in Germany have been implemented either by way of consensual preinsolvency solutions or formal and comprehensive insolvency proceedings with court oversight. The EU Restructuring Directive (EU) 2019/1023 of 20 June 2019 paved the way for the implementation of pre-insolvency restructuring proceedings in all EU member states that allow debtors to restructure effectively at an early stage.
On 28 March, 2020, the UK Government announced that it intends to amend insolvency law to give companies breathing space and allow them to keep trading while they explore options for rescue. The changes include (a) a temporary suspension of wrongful trading by directors of UK companies for three months commencing on 1 March, 2020 and (b) the in troduction of a moratorium for companies in financial difficulty preventing creditors enforcing debts for a period of time. Full details of the proposed changes are yet to be published.
Wrongful Trading
On January 7, 2020, the presidential campaign of Senator Elizabeth Warren released a plan to overhaul the consumer bankruptcy system in the United States. The plan would repeal means testing and other provisions of the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. It would also implement enhanced protections for consumer debtors who file for bankruptcy.
Richard Cordray, the first and only Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, announced today that he will resign from the Bureau by the end of November–presumably in order to explore a run for governor in his home state of Ohio. Cordray, a Democrat, was appointed to serve as the agency’s first Director in a recess appointment by former President Obama in 2012. He was subsequently confirmed by the Senate in July of 2013. Since that time, Cordray has been the face of the young agency as it pursued aggressive policy and enforcement initiatives.
This FAQ has been updated to take account of developments through March 15, 2023.
Consider this scenario: A company sells intellectual property rights to a buyer that plans to develop the IP into a profitable product. The buyer pays a minimal upfront purchase price in cash, with the most valuable consideration taking the form of future “royalties” and/or “milestone payments” related to the development and sale of the product. Upon closing the buyer obtains ownership of the IP.