Posted inLawsuits

A Royally Painful Lawsuit

A Royal Guard in a red uniform and bearskin hat stands at attention outside a historic building next to a blue sentry box, with another empty box beside. The building features light-colored stonework and ornate lamps.
Privacy violation

In an effort to rid her life of the press and paparazzi, Meghan Markle might have to first fully submerge herself into the limelight with this most recent lawsuit filed against Associated Newspapers.  Based on claims of both privacy violation and copyright infringement, Markle is accusing the news publisher of breaking UK data protection laws.  The accusations stem from a letter written by Markle to her father, with whom she remains estranged.  Markle may be forced to testify against her father at some point in the case.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Cyanide Killed the Coyote

A lone coyote stands on the forest floor, surrounded by trees. Its fur is a mix of gray, brown, and white, and it gazes directly at the viewer, appearing alert and curious. The background is filled with brown and green tones of foliage.
Poisoning the environment

Pocatello, Idaho is known for its moderately cold winters, outdoor activities, and metropolitan light life.  The Bannock County seat is also home to Pocatello Supply Depot, a manufacturer of M-44 cyanide devices.  These items are used to kill off predators of livestock, such as coyotes, but have also injured people and pets.  In response to this environmental dilemma, wildlife activist groups have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.  The US Department of Justice is handling the case for the defense. 

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Doll Creates an Uncomfortable Space

A vibrant view of the night sky filled with numerous stars and the distinct, colorful swirls of the Milky Way galaxy. The cosmic scene has hues of blue, purple, and green, creating a mesmerizing celestial landscape.
Out of this world

Since 1986, American Girl Doll has become a household name.  The 18-inch dolls bear likenesses of young girls with different ethnicities, and the persona of each doll is developed into a character.  The introduction of the aspiring astronaut doll, Luciana Vega, in 2018 has caused more damage than intended. According to a recent lawsuit filed against American Girl Doll and its parent company Mattel, the Luciana doll is based off of a real person.  Lucianne Walkowicz did not approve of the representation and is suing the doll maker for trademark infringement.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Flying Towards Conflict

A man sits in an airport terminal with his legs resting on a suitcase. He gazes out the window as a plane takes off into a sunny sky. He holds a smartphone in one hand and is dressed casually in jeans, a jacket, and sneakers.
Refund refusal?

Despite the current state of the nation and the world, American Airlines, among other flight companies, have continued to operate.  While many individuals have opted to cancel travel plans, others are left with no other choice than to travel internationally or across state lines. The airlines initially appeared to take a flexible approach to the mass request for refunds and cancellations.  Many customers, however, claim that when they asked for their money back, American Airlines’ response was unfavorable, leaving many to blame the airline of deceptive business practices.  As a result of this alleged mishandling, customers have taken legal action.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Erasing History?

A child wearing a red long-sleeve shirt draws with colorful chalk on a concrete sidewalk, creating a hopscotch grid. The hand is detailed, with blue and pink chalk patterns visible.
Highway draws to a close

At the beginning of 2018, the ownership rights to the local attraction, Centralia Graffiti Highway, fell into the hands of neighboring property owners, including Pagnotti Enterprises.  The State of Pennsylvania gave up rights to the road once it was determined the road would never be safe again to use as a highway.  Although the easement was lifted, Graffiti Highway continued to attract visitors from all areas.  About three quarters of a mile in length, the highway was covered with public art, colorful drawings, words, and images.  Interested parties would ignore the ‘no trespassing’ signs to experience the obviously unique spectacle.  Pagnotti Enterprises, which now owns a majority of the road, has made a bold decision that some feel is disrespectful to the legacy of Centralia.  Others see Pagnotti Enterprises’ choice to pave over the road as a solution to the overpopulation of visitors to the area.

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