Calif. Court: Would-be Good Samaritan can be sued

Music Industry to End Mass Lawsuits Against File-Sharers

Finally!! The realization. You can't enforce the un-enforceable. Obviously, I am in favor of file-sharing. Personally, I don't do a whole lot of it, but occasionally I will download some songs; and guess what, if I like what I hear, I go buy the album. The recording industry project this "artists are starving" sentiment but fail to mention that on average the actual artist who recorded the songs/album only see about $.05 to $.10 per sale. The rest goes to the producers, labels, and others within the recording process. Here is another link showing just how much artists really get from sales. Pretty one sided
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

Convict’s mom goes undercover, gets dirt on juror

http://www.thelegalnews.com/?p=1408

Well you knew it was just a matter of time. . . .

http://news.aol.com/article/trampled-mans-family-sues-wal-mart/266921

Canada agrees on conditional auto aid plan

Canada passed on Friday a bill to give money to its struggling automobile companies. This shows the interdependence of todays businesses. When one country wants to bailout something all the other countries follow suit.

Family says overgrown fields bring Lyme disease

Who is really responsible? The dog is infected too... Isn't the dog responsible also? People are willing to blame anybody but themselves for everything.

High Court to Take Up Enemy-Combatant Case

I really hope the Supreme Court upholds the original ruling on this one.

Court rules against Bucks company

I never knew that information regarding the prescriptions written by doctors is not confidential.

OJ finally gets time in jail

Is the jury's decision related to OJ's past?
It is a little bit funny that OJ is sentenced for trying to get back his own staff, but he wasn't sentenced for killing two people....

Fonder found guilty in church murderhttp://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-12062008-1633346.html

A really odd case of murder...

Unsafe Drug products

Strict Laws for drawstrings

I never knew this was actually a law and for a major company like Nordstroms to all of a sudden not follow the law seems a bit strange to me. I wonder if there is more to the story.

Craigslist Leads to Libel Charges

How low can a person get and who really cares about Craigslist anyways? This is just another way for people to use the law.

Repeal Day Serves as Reminder of the Folly of Our Drug Laws

Interesting commentary regarding the issue of illegal drugs and whether or not they should be legalized. I'm kind of in the middle with this one. I think some illegal drugs do have some medicinal uses that could be adapted for patient care. However, I'm not convinced that legalizing drugs as a whole, would serve the greater good. I don't think this battle will ever go away.

Business Expert Offers “Top Five” Tips for Safe Shopping Online

You'd think people would know all of this already, but it seems like we will never learn.

Plea Deal Offered to 8-Year-Old Murder Suspect

I understand that he's only 8, but if he's not punished for killing 2 men, he's most likely going to kill again when he gets older.

I think i've seen everything. . . .

Great, a website that helps people figure out who they can sue. Like there's not enough of that already!

Hey, how about not blaming a big corporation because YOU'RE an idiot?

Is this guy for real? Why on earth would he think that McDonalds should be responsible because he's not?

Know the law before pulling from retirement accounts

Because stock prices have plunged, your account is probably worth much less than at the end of last year. It's a good article regarding withdrawal.

With Times Tight, Even Lawyers Get Outsourced

Wow, this just goes to show that anything can be outsourced today. I find it very saddening that even lawyers would rather outsource than just find ways to cut the fees they charge their customers. Is it really that difficult to lower prices charged to consumers?

Results of medical tests to be sent to patients

This is a great idea. It can be very difficult to obtain test results from your physicians office once tests have been conducted.

Anti-Obama text sent on Montco computer

This is interesting, the use of the equipment is why he is in trouble! Not the content!

Not good news for Legal Secretaries & other admin. staff

http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubArticlePA.jsp?id=1202426258727

Breach of Contract???

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=118980&catid=3

Parents Abandon Kids With 'Safe Haven' Loophole

I really just don't understand why people and parents think the way that they do and are actually willing to do this.

Real estate bubble regaining?

Malpractice Verdict in Pennsylvania

http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubArticlePA.jsp?hubtype=TopStories&id=1202426115111

Farmland Leases

Leasing issues are what I deal with every day. People say that the lease the company I work for uses is long but it has to be to prevent and ensure that all the regulations are laid out. In many cases if the lease wasn't so specific our company would lose a lot of money.

Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker

I thought this was interesting. Did the US make the right call for now? I didn't even know things like this still happened.

Bath set to pass adult business law

I am usually one for freedom of speech, but I think limiting this type of signage is a good thing for any community.

Homosexuals Protest

On Saturday about a week after California, Arizona and Florida banned same-sex marriages, homosexuals protested the votes.

Nice confession...now, go directly to JAIL

Get aload of this confession; this guy is really bright....

Another AIG Resort "Junket": Top Execs Caught on Tape

If you do it once, you're gonna do it again. After they are caught at a luxury resort during the bail-out, they ask for more money and go to another resort. This time they tried to cover it up and hide the fact that they were there. Ridiculous!!!!

8 Year Old Boy Kills Father

An 8 year old boy in Arizona killed his father and a friend renting a room from the family with a .22 caliber hunting rifle. The police have no motives but say the act was premeditated.

IBM Wins Order Forcing IPod Executive to Cease Work at Apple

This is very appropriate considering we just covered employment (agency) contracts.

The SEC Should Leave Journalists Alone

International Law

How will Obama over come the obstacle of International Law? This is an interesting piece on International Law and what will happen for the U.S.

More labor issues caught up in politics

This one isn't as bad as my last post about politics and labor laws but here is a snipit of what is at hand: "Union officials say that employees who try to organize are fired, companies force workers to attend anti-union meetings, and penalties for violating the right to organize are too weak."
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aiupc_xr1ZPE&refer=home

World markets rally as US goes to polls

Hopefully next the result will help the US polls!

Profanity Protected Under The Constitution?

The Supreme Court met Tuesday to determine if the laws the FCC have in place about profanity (particularly the F and S words) are restraining free speech.

Voters Likely to Face Long Lines, Ballot Problems

http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6172268&page=1

After all of these years of voting, you would think that they would have it all figured out by now and not have anymore flaws. They also don't need to cause more problems by bringing the courts into it and make lawsuits against some states. Just let people vote and let this election be over with already!!

Business owners to fight limits on electronic signs

Don't we have more important things to worry about??????

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Drug Liability Case

I found this to be very interesting. A great example of a battle for jurisdiction. Not really sure who is right here. I think both sides have valid points. What do you think?

Judge gives red light to green cabs in NYC

Whose interests does this judje rule for? How can a hybrid car be more dangerous than an usual car? Isn't it better for all of us to have more green cars on the streets?

Since we were learning about ratification!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27493740/

Nike Claims Wal-Mart Copied Shoes

Nike claims that Wal-Mart's shoes have designs that are covered by Nike design patents, and Nike is suing for this alleged patent infringement.

Political party lines effecting Labor laws?

What would you choose to wait for a clean ladder or lose your job? I believe that this is causing undue stress on employees in tight economic times. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1550944.htm

PHILS WIN!

Will there be a lawsuit filed?

In NCAA football Houston's Patrick Edwards suffered a leg fracture from a equipment cart parked off the side of the field. Will he file a suit against the university or referrees? Will he have a good case?

Interesting use of a polygraph

Have a look at how this group is putting a polygraph machine to use, really scarry stuff.http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1-10272008-1611784.html

Quick!! Start a failing company!

I guess it'd be a good idea to start a failing company. The government would most likely just use other people's money to keep you up and running. 

Michigan law makes new gift cards good for 5 years

Gift cards are seen as a quick and easy solution to holiday gift-giving dilemmas. It will be more convenient to make them good longer than a year. I like this new policy.

Always wondered how so many political ads were on TV...

The other day I saw so many political advertisements while watching TV it started to make me wonder how in the world they pay for all of it. This should interest some of you, especially with the way the economy is looking, that people have this kind of money to invest in political advertising.

Judge rejects request to expedite ACORN lawsuit

Here we go again. Voting problems/complaints seem to be getting worse every election. Maybe it's time to governmentalize the entire process to keep things somewhat fair. I don't think interest groups should be allowed to register voters, Only local, county, State or Federal offices.

Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby

Battle Intensifies Over Bill to Expedite Union Organizing

I am confused about unions; it maybe because I have never had to deal with them but, I always thought that they were a good thing. That the fought for the employees to get fair wages and better working conditions and so on. If that is the case then why is there so much negativity about them? Mind you I haven't done the reading yet for this week. I just did the flash cards and I saw a few definitions that were against their formation or employees having to join a union. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/18/AR2008101802370.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Boston University Law Students Take on The Dean

Courtroom Monkey Business

Developers and Deep Pockets

Developers have big money to fight for zoning changes and variances to invade our countryside...http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-10212008-1608651.html

San Francisco May become Legal for Prostitution

If Propostion K is voted into law next month it would no longer allow local law enforcement to arrest prostitutes. It will not entirely legalize it since state law prohibits this but it will make it much easier for prostitutes to do their business.

Firms sue Florida over law prohibiting fake caller IDs

Finally! It is nice to see this getting done somewhere. I think all states should adopt this practice. Although, I don't necessarily blame the one doing the scamming when someone gets taken, this will help prevent unnecessary fraudulent behavior to some extent.

How to Read the Constitution

Interesting opinion of how some people view our constitution and government today.

Court blocks Ohio vote challenge

MORE POLITICAL CORRUPTION

And our representatives wonder why voters just cannot trust them....

You Want to Sue Who?

American Troops Could Face Iraqi Courts

Here something interesting that also relates to courts. American troops may now end up facing court in Iraq for crimes committed off base and without a mission. They also wanted the US troops out of Iraq.

To Compete or Non-Compete, that is the question......

I found this article from a while ago but it reinforced what we learned in chapter nine about contracts being contrary to public policy. I am including a follow link from Google's website. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/09/judge-clears-way-for-dr-lee.html

If Google and Yahoo merge, would it be Yahgle or Goooo?

Google is slowly talking over the world.

Business interests seek employer sanction changes

This seems like a law that should apply to all businesses, not just licensed ones. These business owners should be held accountable for their hiring of illegal immigrants.

OJ's Lawyers Request Another Trial

This is just ridiculous. OJ was found guilty of 12 counts of robbery on October 3rd and his lawyers want it thrown out because it was an all white jury. This is a total joke. OJ's 15 minutes of fame are way past over. Football star, murderer who walked away and now he is trying to be a thief and walk away from that as well. Give it up OJ.

Class Action Suits and Subprime Mortgages, oh my!

http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202425161321

After Bailout, AIG Execs Head to California Resort

People are ridiculous! The company was given $85 billion dollars by the government to stop them from going bankrupt, and the execs of the company decide to take a vacation at a $1,000/night spa resort spending $440,000.

From today's headlines

I took the presidential quiz last night and this was one of the topics asked about (illegal immigration). I wonder if this will make it into tonight's debate.

Murder Suspect Uses MySpace to Defend Himself

It is interesting to site this extend people will go to help themselves. A site that is used mainly by teens. Who will see this and how will it effect others? It was weird to me.

The Newest ADR Model

The Newest ADR Model: Rock, Paper, Scissors

Fed up with some wrangling lawyers, Federal District Judge Gregory A. Presnell (M.D. Fla.) came up with a novel dispute resolution procedure: the game of "rock, paper, scissors. "In what Judge Presnell called "the latest in a series of Gordian knots that the parties have been unable to untangle" without court assistance, the parties were unable to agree on a location for a deposition. The judge directed the lawyers to convene at a neutral site, and if they couldn't agree on even that much, to meet on the steps of the federal courthouse.

He further instructed that:
Each lawyer shall be entitled to be accompanied by one paralegal who shall act as an attendant and witness. At that time and location, counsel shall engage in one (1) game of "rock, paper, scissors." The winner of this engagement shall be entitled to select the location for the 30(b)(6) deposition.

Actually, rock, paper, scissors resolutions are anything but novel. Although there are competing theories of the origin of the game, according to Wikipedia, it was invented in China during the Ming dynasty, where warlords allegedly played a similar contest called shoushiling, which can be translated to "hand-command." The warloads used the game to decide, among other things, where depositions would be held and whose head would get cut off.So who won? It might not matter. Rumor has it there will be an appeal that will be decided by eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

— Avista Management, Inc. v. Wausau Underwriters Ins. Co., Case No. 6:05-cv-1430-Orl-31JGG, M.D. Fla., June 6, 2006 (Presnell, J.).

Peter Schiff On The Economy, Gold, and the Coming Collapse of the Dollar

This is kinda freaky. This guy predicts whats happening with the economy today back in 2006.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I thought this was an interesting article relating to constitutional rights.

Pick your President

Give it a try! Interesting and educational.

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

121 Arrested for Child Pornography

This absolutely disgusts me. 121 men were arrested in Spain for a world wide child pornography ring that was involved in over 75 countries. If these people are convicted they can face up to 8 years in prison. I hardly think 8 years of prison is fair for ruining a child's life.

A day late, $700 billion short?....

Finally, criminal investigations begin....the huge subprime mortgage caper.

New food label law goes into effect

Although it seems like these new food labels could be useful, I'm not sure if it is worth the hefty billion dollar price tag. When I lean towards backing this type of thing, I end up thinking about how we've lived this long without it. Our forefathers would be rolling over in their graves if they heard about things like this.

Erin Brockovich update

Oh, so that's what battery is. . . http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26877682/

Sorry if this offends anyone. We are learning the difference between assault & battery in Tort Litigation. I couldn't access the Blog for that class, so I decided to post it here.

Minimum Age required to enter a legal contract

I had a phone call today that stumped me at work; am I able to rent an apartment to a 17 year old is on their own? I had to get more specifics like were they an emancipated teenager. They are not emancipated but in the custody of youth and child services whom has said that they are able to get their own apartment. But the question is, is there paperwork stating that the 17 year old has the rights to enter into a legally binding contract while still a minor? If they do we will have to see what the paperwork says and whom the rights are granted by. As of right now we have determined that if not, according to the law, we are unable to rent them an apartment due to their age.

Restaurant alleges egg price-fixing

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/26/news/companies/egg_fixing.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008092619

This was intersting because it combines two classes that I am taking (law and economics). Also, it is a local case.

Coca Cola's bid to buy Chinese fruit juice maker causing a stir

Should government be allowed to say who companies are allowed to sell their business to?

Philip Morris Sues San Francisco for Banning Tobacco Sales in Drugstores

It seems like a law or ordinance is passed everyday to make it harder for people to buy and smoke cigarettes. I don't understand why they would ban tobacco sales in drugstores, but not in grocery stores that have pharmacies. I'm a smoker, and I can't seem to make sense of some of these laws passed... they aren't helping people quit, they are just making it harder for us to smoke.

The credit crunch: Loans out of reach

I thought this was bad news for those of us looking to start a business.

Mistrial in Student's Confederate Flag Lawsuit

Student sued his school saying that when he was suspended for wearing Confederate flag clothing it was a violation of his First Ammendment rights. For some the flag means racism for others it shows southern heritage.

Gambler's $20M lawsuit against casinos tossed

I found this article to be interesting and disturbing at the same time. Just another fine example of someone trying to blame others for their own bad judgement. I think she got what she deserved. Do you?

Wall Street Bailout Could Crimp CEO Pay

NASCAR hit by discrimination complaint

I found this interesting after reading the last article on here posted about NASCAR. It was hit with another discrimination complaint by a former inspector. It is almost the same type of situation, alleging racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and wrongful termination. Is this NASCAR's fault?

Finally they are paying too

I thought this article was interesting being that millions of Americans are suffering from the burst of the housing bubble. Lenders were giving too much money to people they knew could not pay it back knowing that upon foreclosure they would still have a win win situation because houses always appreciated in value. I am happy to see that they are getting what they deserve with these new bankruptcy laws.

Contract Law 101

This website was a great addition to help in understanding this weeks lesson. http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/contract_law/

Lawyers as CEO's

I found this article about Lawyers turned CEO's interesting. Does law school, alone, prepare a Lawyer to be an effective CEO?

New Law Implicates Gas Station Owners in Gas-N-Go Schemes

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/09/19/new-law-implicates-gas-station-owners-in-gas-n-go-schemes/

I came across this article and thought how funny it is that a local ordinance has to be passed in order to push gas station owners into making their customers pre-pay. You would think it would be common sense to make people pre-pay for their gas when a lot of gas-no-go thefts are happening.

EFF Takes Legal Action Against NSA’s Surveillance Practices

Legal or illegal, the fact that AT&T was routing people's internet traffic to a secret room run by the NSA is downright scary. I found this article particularly interesting because it is further proof that in this day and age almost nothing on the web goes unnoticed.

Gun Laws in DC

It is nice that the Congress is realizing new laws need to be implemented to control the violence. At the same time I am concerned about how much control they really will have over gun ownership and a citizen's right to own a gun if they choose. It will be interesting to see how other area's of the country react to this.

Government Business Law info from A-Z

http://www.business.gov/guides/business-law/?cm_sp=Dynamic%20Lead-_-Whats%20New-_-Center%201%20-%20Home%20-%20/guides/business-law/

Kentucky Woman Sent To Jail For Wearing Shorts To Court

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=6a026ac0-7dc4-4335-a0cc-ce19f64f27a0

After reading post that was posted by another student, I remembered this story that I saw on TV.

I think authorities are taking their power too far now a days and are willing to put people in jail for absolutely anything. It's also crazy how celebs get DUIs and other offenses and only go to jail for a few hours, but they send a woman to jail for 3 days because of her wardrobe.

..I hope I did this right..!!

baggy pants issue ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080916/od_afp/usfashionjusticeoffbeat

Child-porn jurors told: 'Focus on the ugliness'

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080917_Child-porn_jurors_told___Focus_on_the_ugliness_.html

I saw this on the evening news. I thought this was interesting because part of the lawsuit involved the use of a camera obtained outside the state:

Rotella said the jury must focus on whether the prosecution had proved that a child was depicted in the videos, that there was sexually explicit conduct, that the defendant participated in the manufacturing of the child pornography, and that the images were produced using materials in violation of laws governing interstate and foreign commerce.

New Business Court Aims to Streamline Disputes

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/09/_cuyahoga_county_hopes_to.html

This article describes an interesting development for business to business litigation. I really like the idea of separating business courts from civil courts, and I hope it works out enough that this method will be adopted by all states.

This seems to be an ongoing theme

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/06/10/former.official.lawsuit/index.html

Major companies are taking their employees for granted. I didn't know about the CBS issue but I saw this story when it came out and I was totally disgusted about what is going on.

What is a blog?

View this short video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI.

Our Blog

Here's "Our Blog" for this Course. You should add to this blog at least once a week. You can imbedd links, video etc. Here's an example of a current event that pertains to the subject matter in this course - Alycia Lane sues CBS3

I am looking forward to seeing this blog grow!