July 8, 2024 – Legal News Feed

Jurist

Increasing Restrictions on Peaceful Protests in Europe: Amnesty International Report Reveals Widespread Violations

Pieter Gunst2 years ago04 mins

Amnesty International has released a report indicating that the right to peaceful assembly in Europe is increasingly coming under attack. According to Amnesty, state authorities are stigmatizing and punishing individuals who organize and participate in peaceful protests, undermining a fundamental right protected by international treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International…

Bloomberg Law

“Joanna Rosen Forster Joins Crowell & Moring as Litigation Partner, Bringing Expertise in Complex Commercial Cases”

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Joanna Rosen Forster has joined Crowell & Moring as a litigation partner in the firm’s San Francisco office, the firm announced Tuesday. Forster’s practice will encompass domestic and cross-border complex commercial litigation. Additionally, she will advise technology and e-commerce companies on issues related to internet platforms, product launches, market campaigns, new vertical lines of business,…

Jurist

New Zealand Court Orders University of Auckland to Compensate Professor for Public Harassment

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

In a recent decision, the Employment Court of New Zealand has mandated that the University of Auckland compensate Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles with NZ$20,000 for the public harassment she endured over her COVID-19 pandemic commentary. The court found that the university breached its contractual obligations to protect Professor Wiles’ health and safety. The court’s judgment,…

Jurist

Pakistan Defends Twitter Ban Amid Security Concerns, Sparking Debate on Digital Freedoms

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

In a move that has stirred significant debate, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior defended its ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in the Sindh High Court on Monday, citing national security concerns as the driving force behind the decision. The Ministry contended that X’s operations in Pakistan without proper registration or adherence to…

Law360

Fifth Circuit Orders Retrial in Gibson’s Trademark Infringement Case Over Iconic Guitar Designs

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

In a pivotal decision, the Fifth Circuit has mandated a retrial in Gibson’s trademark infringement case. The iconic guitar maker initially claimed that a competitor was selling counterfeit instruments that infringed upon its trademark, most notably on the Flying V guitar and other signature models. However, the circuit court ruled that the district court had…

Law360

Alaskan Federal Judge Resigns Amidst Controversy Over Improper Relationship With Clerk

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred of the District of Alaska announced his resignation last week, following revelations of a “sexualized relationship” with his clerk. According to an order by the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, the relationship included sexual encounters that occurred shortly after the clerk’s transition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. For further…

Jurist

Iranian Security Forces Accused of Lethal Force Against Kurdish Border Couriers, Reports Human Rights Watch

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

Human Rights Watch reported on Monday that Iranian security forces employed lethal force against predominantly Kurdish border couriers who traversed treacherous terrain to transport goods between Iraq and Iran. Kurdish border couriers, also known as Kulbars, who were interviewed by Human Rights Watch, stated that Iranian security forces shot at them, killed their relatives, and…

Law360

NBC Reaches Settlement in Copyright Infringement Case Over Giuliani Video Usage

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

NBC has reached a settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed in New York federal court. The suit was brought by the creators of a video featuring Rudy Giuliani’s claims of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. Originally posted on YouTube, parts of the video were later used in an NBC documentary examining the…

Law360

“BlueAllele Sues Intellia Therapeutics Over Patented Gene Editing Technology and Regeneron Collaboration”

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Biotechnology company BlueAllele Corp. has filed a lawsuit against Intellia Therapeutics Inc. in Delaware federal court, alleging that Intellia’s gene editing technology infringes on three of its patents. BlueAllele asserts that Intellia has utilized the contested patents to generate over $100 million through a collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The case underscores ongoing tensions in…

Law360

Washington-Based Smoke City Launches Trademark Lawsuits Against Competitors for Brand Misuse

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Smoke Shops Trademark Dispute A Washington-based smoke chain, Smoke City, has initiated several trademark infringement lawsuits against competing businesses. The chain accuses its rivals of unauthorized use of its name to benefit from the goodwill Smoke City has cultivated with its customer base. The lawsuits, which allege a form of brand identity theft, aim to…

Jurist

Public Disorder Declaration Instated in Alice Springs Amid Escalating Violence

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) Police Commissioner Michael Murphy issued a Public Disorder Declaration for Alice Springs on Monday following a series of civil disturbances over the weekend. The declaration introduces a curfew for all residents and visitors from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM local time, effective for three days starting Monday night. This decision was…

Law360

Former Employee Allegedly Uses Gym’s Name to Launch Rival Business, Faces Lawsuit

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

A former employee of a mixed martial arts gym, who was under a protective order for threats and workplace misconduct, allegedly appropriated the gym’s name to establish a rival business, drawing away both colleagues and clients. The lawsuit detailing these accusations was filed last Friday in Colorado state court. More details can be found in…

Law360

Federal Circuit Declines to Dismiss Charter Communications Patent Infringement Case in Texas

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

The Federal Circuit on Monday denied a motion from Charter Communications, urging the lower court in Marshall, Texas to dismiss a patent infringement lawsuit against it. This decision comes less than a year after Charter lost a similar appeal in another patent case before the same court. For more details, read the full report on…

Law360

Renmatix Challenges Patent Dispute Ruling in Delaware, Citing Conflict of Interest

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Pennsylvania-based biotechnology company Renmatix Inc. is urging the Delaware Court of Chancery to overturn an arbitral award that favored Finnish company UPM-Kymmene Corp. in an ongoing patent dispute. Renmatix alleges a critical conflict of interest stemming from the Finnish company’s counsel at DLA Piper. For more details, visit the original article.

Jurist

Barcelona Protests Demand Stricter Tourism Controls Amid Housing and Environmental Concerns

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

A mass demonstration took place on Saturday in Barcelona, with approximately 2,800 people demanding curbs on tourism, according to the Guàrdia Urbana (Urban Guard). Protesters carried signs declaring, “Enough, let’s put limits on tourism.” Despite a largely peaceful protest, local media reported some tension as participants blocked entry to hotels and restaurants and squirted water…

Bloomberg Law

Former ACLU Official Sues Over Alleged Political Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

In a recent legal complaint filed in Los Angeles state court, Francis John Broccolo, a former prominent attorney and interim executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Southern California chapter, alleges that he was discriminated against and terminated based on his political beliefs. Broccolo, who previously led the pro bono program at Sidley…

Law360

USPTO Upholds Denial of FOIA Request in Patent Review Dispute

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reiterated its stance against releasing documents that an inventor has requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These documents pertain to the reviews conducted by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) on the inventor’s patents. The USPTO maintains that disclosing such information would compromise its…

Law.com

Bankruptcy Filings Increase by 15% in First Half of 2024, Driven by Commercial Filings

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Consumer and commercial bankruptcy filings have surged in the first six months of 2024, showing a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to a study by Epiq and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), total bankruptcy filings rose from approximately 217,000 in the first half of 2023 to over 251,000 in the…

Jurist

Boeing to Plead Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy Over 737 Max Crashes, Faces $243.6 Million Fine and Enhanced Safety Measures

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

Boeing is set to plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States related to two fatal 737 Max jetliner crashes that occurred in 2018 and 2019. According to a court filing from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Boeing will pay a fine of $243.6 million, invest at least $455 million…

Law360

Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision May Lead to Increased Legal Scrutiny of FDA Authority

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

Legal Analysis on FDA Overreach After Chevron Ruling The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Chevron deference, a longstanding precedent that favored federal agencies’ rulemaking interpretations, is poised to prompt a series of legal challenges aimed at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Legal analysts suggest that key areas of scrutiny will…

Above the Law

Major Law Firms Restructure: Office Closures and Controversial Firings Shape Future

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

The legal industry is witnessing significant office closures and controversial firings as firms navigate an evolving business landscape. Notably, Dechert LLP has announced plans to shutter its offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Chicago, leaving many to question the rationale behind the closure of the Chicago office in particular. The exact reasons remain unclear, creating…

Above the Law

“Biglaw Firm’s Frequent Appearances at U.S. Supreme Court Spotlight Influence and Controversy”

Pieter Gunst2 years ago02 mins

In a rapidly shifting legal landscape, certain law firms manage to secure a prominent position before the U.S. Supreme Court. A recent report by Above the Law has highlighted one such firm that has repeatedly found itself a participant in the nation’s highest judicial arena. Based on reporting by Law360, it’s noted that this firm…

Bloomberg Law

Alaska Federal Judge Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations Involving Law Clerk

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

An Alaska federal judge, Joshua Kindred, recently resigned after allegations surfaced concerning misconduct. According to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, Kindred had created a hostile work environment for his law clerks and engaged in an inappropriately sexualized relationship with one of them. Kindred, who had served on the US District Court for the…

Above the Law

Northwestern Law Faces Legal Challenge Over Alleged Faculty Hiring Bias

Pieter Gunst2 years ago03 mins

A recent lawsuit targeting Northwestern University School of Law has ignited a debate on diversity in faculty hiring. This suit, orchestrated by the Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences (FASORP), contends that the law school is favoring women and minority candidates at the expense of white male candidates. FASORP’s complaint alleges that Northwestern…

Law360

Senate Confirms Nancy L. Maldonado to Seventh Circuit Amid GOP Concerns Over Judicial Backlogs

Pieter Gunst2 years ago01 mins

In a decisive move on Monday evening, the Senate confirmed U.S. District Judge Nancy L. Maldonado to the Seventh Circuit with a vote tally of 47-43. Appointed amidst growing scrutiny from the GOP over judicial backlogs, Maldonado’s confirmation marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address these delays. This decision comes at a…