Jessica M. Karmasek News
Patent licensing firm wins $533 million infringement verdict against Apple
TYLER, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A federal jury has sided with a Texas-based licensing company, awarding it nearly $533 million after finding that Apple Inc. infringed a series of its patents in producing and selling the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Federal prosecutor steps down to challenge Hood for Miss. AG
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A former federal prosecutor has decided to run for Mississippi attorney general, pitting himself against three-term attorney general Jim Hood.
Replaced NYCAL judge was 'hands-off,' allowed asbestos plaintiffs bar to 'run the show,' defense attorneys say
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Recent reports in the New York media paint the New York City Asbestos Litigation court and its former chief judge as essentially dirty, giving special treatment to a certain plaintiffs law firm and paving the way for hefty paydays.
Federal judge sides with NFL, dismisses class action over Super Bowl tickets
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit against the National Football League a year after it was sued for allegedly violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act in selling Super Bowl tickets.
U.S. PTO nominee Lee clears committee, headed for full Senate vote
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A U.S. Senate panel has approved the nomination of Michelle K. Lee to head the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
University of Phoenix wants proposed class action over alleged ‘misrepresentations’ dismissed
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - University of Phoenix, in a court filing earlier this month, argues that a proposed class action filed against it for allegedly engaging in fraudulent business practices should be dismissed.
Saks wants proposed class action over return policy dismissed
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Saks Fifth Avenue wants a proposed class action filed over its return policy tossed, arguing that the named plaintiff has failed to show she’s sustained any damages.
Plaintiffs in proposed class action over Lime-A-Rita drink claim Anheuser-Busch’s dismissal request ‘founded on material omission’
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The plaintiffs in a proposed class action filed against a popular beer maker argue that their lawsuit, filed against the company for its allegedly deceptive product labeling, should not be dismissed.
LinkedIn settles class action over passwords leak
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Professional networking website LinkedIn has agreed to compensate 800,000 premium subscribers whose passwords were leaked in 2012.
Miss. AG Hood says he’ll seek re-election
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he plans to seek a fourth term as the state’s top lawyer.
Lawsuit alleging McHugh Fuller 'encouraging' lawsuits through advertising remanded to state court
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - An Ohio federal judge last week sent a lawsuit filed by a Portsmouth-based nursing home facility against Mississippi law firm McHugh Fuller Law Group back to a state court.
Federal judge to decide if Miss. AG can investigate Google
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge is expected to rule next week on whether Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood can investigate Internet search giant Google.
Miss. SC: Power company customers due a refund; utility says it wants rehearing
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that more than 180,000 Mississippi Power Company customers be granted refunds for a rate increase that was wrongly approved by the state’s Public Service Commission in 2013.
Miss. attorneys encouraging lawsuits through deceptive advertising, nursing home chain claims
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys for a Portsmouth, Ohio-based nursing home facility have filed a lawsuit in an Ohio state court attacking Mississippi law firm McHugh Fuller Law Group for its efforts to “encourage” tort litigation against the facility.
Attorney points to award structure for rise in TCPA lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - In the last few years, the number of Telephone Consumer Protection Act lawsuits has increased significantly, and one Washington, D.C., attorney contends it’s the award structure attached to it that attracts many would-be filers.
Drones, cybercrime among topics at annual AG meeting
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - When the National Association of Attorneys General meets next week for its annual winter meeting, much of the discussion will focus on several new challenges they face as the chief legal officers of their states.
Chiquita causing environmental problems in Guatemala, class action says
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A proposed class action has been filed against Chiquita Brands International Inc., one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of fruits and vegetables, for allegedly misrepresenting its environmental and harvesting practices.
Chevron reaches deal with top funder of Ecuador litigation
SAN RAMON, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Chevron Corp. said Monday it has settled with the principal funder of the fraudulent lawsuit against it in Ecuador.
Insurer, plaintiffs in bad faith class action reportedly reach deal
RENO, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The second phase of a trial to consider punitive damages against an insurer that a Nevada state court jury last week found acted in bad faith by refusing to cover defense costs in a related lawsuit no longer will take place.
Nevada jury: Insurer must pay $4.5 million, possibly more, in bad faith class action
RENO, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - Not even two weeks after the trial began, a Nevada state court jury has determined an insurer must pay out at least $4.5 million in a bad faith class action that accuses the company of refusing to cover defense costs in a related lawsuit.