Jordan Cohen, partner at Wicker Smith and attorney for Harold Peerenboom, indicated his client may appeal the verdict.

The decision's consequences would be far-reaching, transforming copyright law into a liability trap that throttles internet access and threatens America's innovation economy.

"The longer the case takes, the more that intervening developments in the sector can disrupt your theory of harm," said Bill Kovacic, a Georgetown law professor who was Federal Trade Commission chair in 2008 and 2009.

At a time when automation is increasing and firms are contending with the “free agency era, it's becoming a larger business imperative for big firms to have a seamless integration process for laterals

The culmination of months of research, the highly influential Rising Stars list is the final word on the emerging talent in this most competitive of specialisms in the U.K. and Europe.

"As an associate's career develops, it means becoming an integral part of the firm as a whole by showing the ability for leadership inside and outside of the firm, being a go-to person with respect to your area of practice, building relationships with clients and understanding their business and how to provide value to them. Substantive expertise in one or more areas of the law is a given."

Law firm leaders are no longer consulting their partnerships before agreeing to a merger or making other major decisions that affect the future of their firms. This tactic may be necessary, but it marks yet another step toward the corporatization of Big Law, writes The Global Lawyer.