Dark Patterned Future

Allegedly deceptive marketing

Due to the implementation of questionable business practices, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against Amazon.  Allegedly, to convince customers to enroll in Prime subscriptions, the company has engaged in trickery.  The effort has apparently been ongoing for years and has led to the positive outcome of increased sales for the company.  In the lawsuit filed by the FTC, the agency claims that Amazon not only uses deceptive techniques for attracting customers to the Prime subscription, but also makes it difficult for existing customers to cancel their subscriptions.  Some are not even aware that the subscriptions are recurring and are renewed without their consent.

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A Reel Challenge

A sensational catch

Although a crew of anglers that reeled in a 600-pound blue marlin in mid-June has been officially disqualified from winning first place, the Sensation crew has since hired legal counsel to challenge that decision.  Given the disqualification, the crew not only loses bragging rights, but also loses the opportunity to accept the $3 million prize.  Before a final decision was made, a careful deliberation was held amongst the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Rules Committee, Board of Directors, biologists from both NC State CMAST and NC Marine Fisheries, and an official from the International Game Fish Association. 

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Chilling Death

Restaurant’s negligence is chilling

A Texas family is seeking at least $1 million in damages following a devastating tragedy that should have been prevented.  A broken Arby’s walk-in freezer door latch played a pivotal role in the death of the restaurant’s general manager, Nguyet Le.  The employee, who was 63 years old, essentially passed away from hypothermia.  As a result of the faulty door latch, Le was trapped inside the freezer that was set to the company policy of at least minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  Her four children have since filed a wrongful death lawsuit and are blaming her death on gross negligence. Continue reading

Sunny News to Share

Actor’s payback against newspaper

Although he has portrayed a wide range of characters that have highlighted his acting talents, Hugh Grant is refusing to allow certain newspaper outlets from tapping into his private life off screen.  In a recent lawsuit filed by the actor, Grant’s legal counsel disparages the journalism tactics that incorporate the invasion of privacy of phone correspondence, breaking and entering, and car bugging.  According to Grant’s claim, these methods were specifically utilized by the newspaper the Sun in crafting gossip articles.  The essential claim in the case centers on the misuse of private information, gathered unlawfully and at the very least, unethically. Continue reading

Dispute Closes Curtain

Theater argument

Standing at 527 North Grand Boulevard in the Grand Center neighborhood of St. Louis, the Fox Theatre has maintained its status and prestige as a city landmark, earning the moniker, the “Fabulous Fox.”  Despite its well renowned history, preservation, and extended use, in 2021, the Fox Theatre became the subject of a land dispute lawsuit involving two parties who claimed ownership of the property.  Given the interesting arrangement of existing ownership percentages, it is arguably natural or at least expected that a legal disagreement would develop.  In the two years since its filing, however, the lawsuit has been settled.   Continue reading