News from July 2014
Study: U.S. SC rulings pose challenge to some in life sciences industry trying to obtain patents
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A study released last month shows that two U.S. Supreme Court rulings have made it more difficult for companies in the life sciences industry to obtain patents.
Asbestos case remanded for failing to provide NASA specs requiring asbestos
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – A Louisiana judge has granted a former insulator’s motion to remand his asbestos case based on the Federal Officer Removal Statute, concluding that the defendant failed to provide NASA regulations requiring asbestos.
PTO provides examiners with guidance on software patents in light of U.S. SC ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently provided its examiners with guidance on software patents following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that ruled some software method and systems patents are invalid.
Legacy lawsuits to be revealed in in-depth WWL series 'Tainted Legacy'
NEW ORLEANS – The full extent of the controversy surrounding legacy lawsuits, in which lawsuits are filed against primarily oil producers over environmental damage, is being examined in a multi-part series by reporters David Hammer and Mike Perlstein that began airing on WWL-TV in New Orleans on July 8.
Jefferson County 58th District Court: Docket for September 2014
DOAK PROCTER III V. BOBBY ANDERSON
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
July 7-11, 2014
Our View: Texas Supreme Court clarifies standards for asbestos liability
To hold a manufacturer liable for a disease attributed to asbestos exposure, a court should require plaintiffs to show how the exposure was substantial enough to cause the disease and how products made by the company in question were indeed the source of that exposure.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION
Head of IP bar association steps down
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The head of the 17,000-member American Intellectual Property Law Association is stepping down.
Wendy Davis reports raising $27M in past year for Texas governor race
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate for governor, has reportedly raised $27 million since launching her campaign.
Texas woman's suit over 'Jersey Boys' copyright set for 2015 trial
The story of the Four Seasons singing group has been made into a book, a Broadway play and now a major motion picture, but a Texas woman is still waiting for her late husband to get recognition for his part in telling the group’s story.
Texas SC rejects ‘every exposure’ theory in asbestos case
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that an asbestos claimant failed to offer legally sufficient causation evidence, denying the “every exposure” theory on the grounds that simply offering evidence of exposure regarding a dose-related disease should not imply automatic liability.
Our View: Why Harry Reid is so fond of trolls
A Danish woodcutter named Thomas Dam carved the first troll doll as a birthday present for his daughter in 1959. When other kids in the village clamored for trolls of their own, Dam began mass-producing them out of molded plastic.
Ford sued over alleged vehicle restraint failure
A couple are suing after the husband allegedly was injured in a collision. Ronald Blizard and Judy Blizard filed suit June 25 in Galveston County Court against Autoliv ASP Inc., Ford Motor Co. and McRee Ford Inc. According to the complaint, on Aug. 13, Ronald Blizard was driving west on Santa Fe Drive at the intersection with South Tower Road in Santa Fe when he suffered a medical emergency and blacked
Tyler County man sues over loss of thumb
The manufacturers of a truck are being sued after the truck's door allegedly caused an injury.
Texas City barbecue named in slip, fall lawsuit
A woman is suing after she was allegedly injured while a customer at a restaurant.
Homeowner alleges cabinet maker failed to complete work
A cabinet business owner faces a lawsuit for allegedly not completing work on an Alvin home. Clay Hazzard filed suit July 2 in Galveston County District Court against Chad Green, individually and doing business as South Texas Cabinet Sales. According to the complaint, the plaintiff is building a new home in Alvin and hired the defendant to install cabinetry and paneling Feb. 5, for a total cost of
Contractors. sued over alleged poor workmanship at Galveston yacht club
Several companies are being sued for completing allegedly poor work during a redevelopment project.GYB Investors LLC filed suit July 2 in Galveston County District Court against Mission Constructors Inc., Inventure Design LLC, Rigid Global Buildings LLC, American Fire Protection Group Inc. and Joseph R. Maytum. According to the complaint, GYB owns the Galveston Yacht Basin, 715 N. Holiday Drive, Galveston,
Alleged slippery substance at Kroger prompts lawsuit
A Texas City woman is suing after allegedly being injured at a Kroger store.
Buc-ee's sues convenience store over Frio Beaver mascot
A well known chain of Texas truck stop/convenience stores is suing another grocery store for using a similar beaver mascot in its logo.