In a recent development, a California federal judge has granted Meta Platforms Inc.’s request to shield a former part-time researcher’s communications on Discord from discovery in a proposed class copyright action. The lawsuit, brought by a group of authors, centers on Meta’s artificial intelligence product, and the judge found that the Discord communications in question…
A judicial conference review panel has upheld the findings of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council concerning former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred of the District of Alaska. The council concluded that Judge Kindred had engaged in an “inappropriately sexualized relationship” with a law clerk and fostered a hostile work environment. For more details, visit the…
South Carolina police have arrested Deputy Treyvon Jonathan Sellers of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office after a series of troubling events culminating in severe criminal charges. According to an arrest warrant released by authorities, the incidents began on May 26, 2024, when Sellers attempted to stop Dewayne Rankin for reckless driving. This traffic stop quickly…
Proposed legislation that aims to establish a presumption for courts to issue injunctions upon finding patent infringement is poised to empower patent owners and could substantially alter the landscape of patent disputes. The measure’s ultimate effect, however, remains contingent on judicial interpretations, according to expert analysis. Detailed information on the proposed bill and expert commentary…
The California Supreme Court has unanimously revived a $2.5 million sanction sought by PwC against the city of Los Angeles in a protracted dispute over utility billing practices. The court determined that the trial court possessed the requisite authority to issue monetary sanctions in accordance with the state’s Code of Civil Procedure. This decision underscores…
A Delaware federal jury has determined that Scale Computing Inc. did not infringe upon DataCore Software Corp.’s data storage patent. The jury further concluded that the claims asserted by DataCore were invalid as anticipated. This finding marks a significant decision in the ongoing legal battles surrounding data storage technologies and intellectual property claims. For more…
In a courtroom spectacle that has captured the attention of the legal community, Tom Girardi, the once-renowned trial attorney, took the stand in his criminal trial to address allegations of massive embezzlement. “Obviously, we didn’t know about it. The firm was doing well, everything was great,” Girardi testified when queried about former Girardi Keese CFO…
By Jeff Montgomery (August 22, 2024, 8:54 PM EDT) — A Delaware Superior Court judge on Thursday scheduled a four-week trial starting September 30. This trial will address claims by voting machine provider Smartmatic USA Corp. alleging that it was defamed by Newsmax Media Inc. reports. These reports purportedly linked Smartmatic to conspiracies regarding the…
The highly anticipated jury trial involving Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre GmbH and Ross Intelligence Inc. has experienced an unexpected delay. Originally slated to commence on Friday, the trial was postponed following an order from Judge Stephanos Bibas in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The judge has invited both parties to resubmit…
A small startup known for selling colorful wine glasses has filed a lawsuit in Colorado federal court, accusing several companies of selling imitation products and labeling them as “counterfeiters.” The startup’s surge in popularity can be attributed to endorsements from a widely-followed TikTok influencer. This legal battle underscores the increasing significance of trade dress litigation…
On Thursday, a supplier of moisture-resistant textiles and fabric treatments filed a lawsuit against Williams-Sonoma Inc. in Michigan federal court. The suit alleges that the retailer has been infringing on three of the supplier’s trademarks through its Pottery Barn furniture offerings. For more detailed information on the case and its implications, you can read the…
The landscape of Biglaw continues to evolve with a notable shift in partnership structures. A top Biglaw firm has recently embraced a tiered partner system, raising questions about the implications for both career progression and firm dynamics. While the traditional equity partner status has been the gold standard, the new model offers the allure of…
In July, legal tech expert and futurist Richard Susskind was appointed as the special envoy for justice and artificial intelligence to the Commonwealth. Susskind, known for his insightful analyses on the future of the legal profession, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in enhancing access to justice. “The biggest competitor for law firms in the…
Prince Lobel Tye LLP has recently enhanced its intellectual property team by hiring a new partner with a distinctive background. The latest addition, a former professional soccer player, transitions his competitive energy into the legal arena, particularly focusing on patent and trade secrets litigation. After a substantial 11-year tenure at Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky…
Saul Ewing’s legal team has been tapped to represent Samsung Bioepis in a recent patent infringement lawsuit filed by California pharmaceutical giant Amgen. The dispute centers on bone-treatment drugs that Samsung Bioepis is developing, which Amgen argues would directly compete with two of its leading products. This case marks a significant point of contention in…
Chris Morvillo, a partner at the New York law firm Clifford Chance, tragically passed away this week at the age of 59. Morvillo, who gained recognition for successfully defending British tech tycoon Mike Lynch in a criminal trial that concluded in June, was among the victims of a luxury yacht sinking. The law firm confirmed…
In a recent ruling, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that Argentina owes more than $300 million to bondholders. The unanimous decision by a three-judge panel affirmed a lower court’s finding that investors were owed reversionary interests in collateral backing the bonds, which had recently matured. For more details on the case, you…
Judge Milan Smith Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has highlighted a notable circuit split over the issue of federal preemption in bankruptcy cases. In a recent concurrence, Smith addressed the disagreement among different circuit courts on whether claims against attorneys for alleged abuse of the federal bankruptcy process should…
Efforts to ban food price gouging face significant challenges, according to antitrust experts. Former FTC Chair William Kovacic remarked that the regulation and enforcement of such laws would be “resource-intensive work that has a very uncertain capacity to deliver a good result.” Harris’ proposition aims to prevent exploitative pricing during periods of crisis, but the…
A former sales representative of the biotech firm MiMedx, who faced legal action earlier this year for joining a competitor, has filed a counterclaim against her former employer. According to her statement, she was forced out due to her refusal to participate in practices that allegedly involved flouting U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has advised the U.S. Supreme Court to bypass a challenge brought by a patent licensing entity concerning the Federal Circuit’s approach to “obviousness-type double patenting.” The USPTO argues that the concerns raised have already been addressed by a recent ruling from the same court earlier this month. This…
A national judicial conduct committee upheld findings that Joshua Kindred, formerly serving as a federal judge in Alaska, had engaged in sexual harassment and fostered a hostile work environment. According to a recent decision by the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability, the Ninth Circuit judicial council conducted a “thorough investigation” and provided…
The Paris Court of Appeals has rejected an appeal by Tran To Nga to hold Monsanto and fourteen other agrochemical firms accountable for their role in producing Agent Orange for the US armed forces. The court cited legal immunity from prosecution, stating that the companies operated under the orders of a sovereign government. Detailed coverage…
Supreme Court justices, like many of us, have a penchant for caffeine. It may come as a surprise to some that they don’t need to venture far for their coffee fix. Interestingly, the Supreme Court’s cafeteria has its own Starbucks outlet, thanks to the efforts of its members over the years. Among the many contributions…
For legal professionals navigating the complexities of the modern legal landscape, the role of advertising and sponsorship cannot be underestimated. In their recent piece, Above the Law highlights the invaluable contributions of their advertisers, emphasizing a collaborative relationship built on mutual respect and professional growth. The legal industry, characterized by its rigorous standards and high…