August 2009

Tour Companies Battle Over Trademarked Duck Noises

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Ride the Ducks and Bay Quackers ended up in litigation. Both companies operate land-and-water tours using amphibious vehicles of a type known in World War II as DUKWs or "Ducks,"…


Wrongening the Math

It seems that I got the math wrong in my post a couple of weeks ago about the $1 trillion lawsuit against Oprah Winfrey.  See "Oprah Stole My Poetry, Man Claims In $1 Trillion Lawsuit," Lowering the Bar (Aug. 12,…





Defendant Gone Wild

"He has put a lot of this foolish behavior behind him," said Joe Francis's lawyer in 2007, but guess what? He had plenty left.  Back then, Mr. Francis, who some of you may know as the purveyor of "Girls Gone Wild" videos,…


“I’m With The CIA” Defense Fails Again

Whether or not this defense will work in the context of possible prosecutions for torture enhanced interrogation techniques remains to be seen, but it does not seem likely to help dodge a speeding ticket. Sources reported today that a man caught speeding in Hawkins…


Michael Jackson’s Death Led to Arson, Says Arsonist

The death of the King of Pop has certainly affected each and every one of us, and we show our respect and our grief in various ways.  Some buy his music, some build makeshift shrines, and some set fire to…


Taster’s Choice Follow-Up: Is “Youthened” A Word?

A reader has suggested that maybe the most noteworthy thing about the Christoff decision is that "the California Supreme Court thinks 'youthened' is a legitimate verb."  See Christoff v. Nestle USA, Inc., No. S155242, slip op. at 3 (Cal. Aug….


California Supreme Court Rules In Taster’s Case

The California Supreme Court has ruled in a case I have been following for some time, namely the dispute between the maker of Taster's Choice coffee and one of its former Tasters over an allegedly unlawful use of the Taster's…