An interesting case is being heard in New York over the scope of protections afforded authors in the use of their work. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has sued Steven Vander Ark and RDR Books, the publisher of the Harry Potter encyclopedia for copyright infringement. Continue reading “Petrificus Totalus: Rowling Goes to Court to Stop Harry Potter Encylcopedia”
A store has demonstrated a concept that I try to teach in class.
Continue reading “Brilliant Demonstration of Deterrence Theory”
In light of today’s story on the debate over the Virginia damage caps on tort lawsuits against the state, this prior column may be of some interest. Continue reading “Tort Reform and Legal Mythologies: Re-Examining Limits on Tort Actions and Damage Awards”
As discussed on this blog, Virginia’s $100,000 limit on tort claims against the state was one of the central reasons why families agreed to a settlement with Virginia at a relatively low figure. Now, finally, someone is seeking to change the cap which has not be raised in over a decade. Continue reading “Virginia Considers Raising the Caps on Lawsuits After Virginia Tech Settlement”
It is a sad day when one cannot even buy fake “Hillbilly” teeth without finding that they are not in the best condition. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of over 20,000 fake “Hillbilly” teeth due to the presence of lead. What is even more disturbing is that our Hillbilly teeth are now being made in China. Is nothing sacred? Continue reading “Legal Redundancies: Fake “Hillbilly Teeth” Recalled as Defective”
Hillary Clinton appears to be reaping the fruits of a faith-based, hunter-friendly campaign. In the past, Clinton has campaigned hard on her faith in seeking support of religious voters. She has also insisted recently that she is a long-time supporter of hunting and even shot a duck. Now, however, she is being hounded for the last date that she actually went to church or fired a gun. Clinton insists that such questions are no longer “relevant.” My concern is that with the duck-gap with Obama will lead to his shooting a goose, then Hillary shooting a deer, then Obama shooting a rhino . . . It could lead to the largest non-asteroid loss of animals in history. Continue reading “Good Hill Hunting: Church Going and Duck Shooting Become Central Issues in Presidential Campaign”
In yet another controversy over attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, two attorneys in Chicago have revealed that their former client killed a security guard in 1982 and that an innocent man, Alton Logan, has been imprisoned for almost three decades for a crime that he did not commit. Bar officials in North Carolina and Virginia have faced similar questions over the limits of confidentiality, here. Continue reading “Lawyers Reveal 26-Year-Old Secret: Innocent Man Convicted of Murder of Security Guard”
In North Carolina, the bar is faced with a difficult question over the limits of confidentiality in a case of Staples Hughes. Hughes revealed a confidential statement made by his late client, who allegedly exonerated his co-defendant, Lee Wayne Hunt in a double murder case. Continue reading “Lawyer Faces Charges After Revealing Confidential Statement of Late Client to Exonerate Inmate”
Great America has been criticized in a state agency for violating the “10/20 Rule”: after allowing 4-year-old Carlos Flores to float on the surface of the Great Barrier Reef Wave Pool for 39 seconds. With the approaching summer, such negligent rescue cases arise with disturbing regularity. Continue reading “Great America Faces Possible Lawsuit Over Drowning under the “10/20” Rule”
The North Franklin Township of Pennsylvania is under challenge for denying 7-year-old Bradley Dallatore’s use of his service dog, Jiffy. It is a case that pits the needs of the child against the school’s claim of the need to protect other children. Continue reading “School Challenged for Barring Service Dog for Autistic Child”
It seems that police In Camden, Maine have a slightly different idea of a bachelor party, including shooting the groom with a taser and then having him handcuffed, hog-tied, oiled and feathered — and paraded around town on the back of a truck. The video below is now being treated as evidence of a possible crime. Continue reading “You Have a Right to Remain Single: Police Bachelor Party Under Investigation”
According to the New York Times, former attorney general Alberto Gonzales can’ find a job after been rebuffed by law firms who are not eager to add a name now synonymous with incompetence and blind partisanship – not to mention torture. Still, these would be some interesting “ding letters”: “Dear General Gonzales, our lawyers were very impressed with your interview and resume. However, every year our firms receives countless applications from former attorney generals . . . .” Continue reading “Firms Say No to Bush Yes Man: Alberto Gonzales Having Difficulty Finding Full-Time Job”
Detroit is embroiled in a new political controversy in a rather spectacular confrontation between President Pro Tem Monica Conyers and President Kenneth Cockrel in the city council. As previously discussed here. Monica Conyers, wife of U.S. Rep. (and House Judiciary Chairman) John Conyers, has been accused of assault in Detroit. She is now being accused of disrupting a meeting of the city council in the video below. Cockrel brought the gravel down on the meeting in an angry verbal battle with Conyers. Continue reading “Video: Detroit’s Political Crisis Continues with Open Fight in the City Council”
For many, State District Judge Bill Harmon made a mockery of the murder trial of Carl Wayne Buntion, who was convicted of killed a motorcycle officer. Harmon was disciplined for his conduct in the trial and found to have a “deep-seated and vocal bias” against Buntion. Yet, that was not enough for overturn the conviction and call for a new trial with a competent judge. The Fifth Circuit has issued an order returning him to death row. Continue reading “Fifth Circuit Returns Man to Death Row Despite Biased Trial Judge”
There is a growing controversy involving an alleged statement by Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, director of the Tsomet Institute in Israel. According to various sites, Rosen stated “All of the Palestinians must be killed; men, women, infants, and even their beasts.” Here. This article is attributed to a publication in Haaretz on March 26, 2008. I cannot find references where Rosen called for such a crime. Instead, Rosen seems to engage in some inflammatory biblical illusions. Rosen may argue that he was merely making a biblical reference to the Amalekites that did not directly call for the killing of Palestinians. Yet, if so, it was a uniquely provocative choice of biblical references. Continue reading “Leading Rabbi Accused of Suggesting that All Palestinians Should Be Killed”