News from December 2014
Mass. hotels agree to stop alleged anticompetitive practices
Several Massachusetts hotel operators reached a settlement with Attorney General Martha Coakley on Thursday that includes assurances that they will stop potential anticompetitive pricing practices.
Major retailers receive cease-and-desist letter for sale of toy guns
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent cease-and-desist letters to several large U.S. retailers on Thursday after they allegedly sold illegal toy guns to consumers in the state.
Companies allegedly targeted vets with illegal debt collection practices
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper joined Virginia's attorney general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday in seeking financial relief from several companies that allegedly used illegal practices to collect debts from U.S. military personnel.
Plaintiff dismisses class action against GNC over OxyElite Pro
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against General Nutrition Center over OxyElite Pro has filed a notice of dismissal,
Third Circuit dismisses drunk drivers' class action against breathalyzer maker
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - An appeals court has ruled that the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Draeger Safety Diagnostics Inc. failed to adequately plead a plausible claim.
N.J. cracks down on cash-for-gold businesses
Multiple New Jersey stores that paid cash for gold received approximately 10,000 citations for alleged civil violations of the state's consumer protection laws, Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced on Thursday.
Napoli says former employee's claims to asbestos case fees are 'nonsense'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Prominent asbestos attorney Paul Napoli says a lawsuit filed by a former Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP employee in a California state court on Dec. 12 is “nonsense.”
Pet supply company alleges infringement over pet stair product
A pet merchandise store filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a company alleging patent infringement over its pet ramp and steps product.
Suit alleges health food company misled consumers
A class-action lawsuit filed against a health food company on Tuesday alleged that the business falsely advertised one of its products.
CEO, IP expert: ‘Crowdsourcing’ improves exam process, makes for stronger patents
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - One intellectual property industry expert says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is on the right track in looking at using “crowdsourcing” to combat so-called patent trolls.
Antitrust case against State Farm brought by La. AG, campaign treasurer transferred to MDL
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s antitrust lawsuit against State Farm that was brought with help from a campaign supporter has been sent to a multidistrict litigation proceeding in Florida federal court.
Former employee files FLSA class action against Wendy's
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit filed against Wendy's on Dec. 9 alleges the restaurant chain violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying overtime for maintenance technician employees.
WesBanco-ESB Financial merger faces class action lawsuit
PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit was filed on Monday seeking to bar a merger between two banks over allegations that the deal was done by an unfair process.
Samsung Electronics sued over Google Cloud Print patent
MARSHALL, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Dynamic Hosting Company filed a civil lawsuit against Samsung Electronics on Friday, alleging patent infringement involving the company's printers.
Former student files class action against University of Phoenix, says it sold her 'pipe dream'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A former University of Phoenix psychology student in California sued the college on Nov. 13, alleging that it engaged in fraudulent business practices when it sold her a “pipe dream” of transferable credits and a guaranteed job after graduation.
Company files patent infringement suit against Babies "R" Us over Dipe n' Go
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - RMI Enterprises filed a patent infringement suit against J.L. Childress Co., Inc. and Babies "R" Us, Inc. on Dec. 12 in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.
Big Lots facing patent infringement suit over coffee products
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Nifty Home Products, Inc., a kitchen accessory designer and retailer, sued Big Lots Stores, Inc. on Dec. 12 over allegations of patent infringement.
Former Sony employees file class action over recent hack
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Former Sony Pictures employees filed a class action lawsuit against the company on Monday alleging the recent breach of its computer system released thousands of Social Security numbers and other personal information to the public.
Md. medical equipment supplier agrees to $1 million settlement
Americle Healthcare, Inc. has agreed to a $1 million settlement with the state of Maryland after it allegedly billed Medicaid for services it didn't provide, Attorney General Douglas Ganser announced on Dec. 11.
ExxonMobil settlement benefits 6 Brooklyn projects
Six environmental projects in Brooklyn will receive $11 million in grants from the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, which was established using a $19.5 million settlement received from ExxonMobil by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in 2011.