Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury
Jurors in the VLSI v. Intel patent infringement trial ended their deliberations shortly after noon today, awarding VLSI $2.175 billion. The patented technology is related to the speed and power-saving capabilities of computer chips. The Lawbook's Natalie Posgate has the details.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Griddy Monday, claiming the retail power company used deceptive practices to mislead customers, many of whom were hit with electric bills in the thousands of dollars during the weather-driven power crisis.
A federal judge in McAllen issued a new, second temporary restraining order Saturday enjoining PepsiCo from making, marketing and selling its new rehydration drink Gatorlyte on the grounds that the global soft drink giant engaged in anticompetitive conduct against Mexico-based Laboratorios Pisa and its trademarked Electrolit drink.
A former Cuban worker for a cattle semen provider has lost an employment discrimination lawsuit in which he alleged his employer treated him worse than younger Brazilian employees at the company. The ruling highlights a less-traveled avenue employers can take to win on summary judgment.
A dozen lawsuits against ERCOT and four Texas energy companies have already been filed and hundreds more are expected as a result of the winter storm-induced power outages. The initial lawsuits are by individuals, but legal experts say that the biggest cases – those pitting energy companies against each other over contract breaches – are several months away from being lodged. The Texas Lawbook has an in-depth report.
Jury selection is currently underway in VLSI v. Intel, which will easily be one of the hottest and closely-watched trials this year. While we wait for a panel to be selected, The Texas Lawbook asked a number of IP experts why the trial is so important.
For 76 hours this weekend, two corporate law firms representing two makers of rehydration drinks did battle in a trade dress, trademark dilution, tortious interference and antitrust lawsuit in Texas. The heated litigation with Alston & Bird representing Laboratorios Pisa and Baker Botts defending PepsiCo ended Sunday at 10:19 p.m. at the Fifth Circuit. Lawyers on both sides anticipate the fight to continue later this week.
In a one-page order issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright dismissed Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, Ferrari and Daimler AG from a massive patent infringement suit over the safety technology used in Formula One racing.
A Delaware court this week handed a trial defense win to Energy Transfer in a dispute that stemmed from the 2015 mega-merger between ET companies Regency Energy Partners and Energy Transfer Partners, clearing the defendants of $1.6 billion in possible damages.
If you find yourself with an upcoming jury trial date and are wracked with anxiety over trying a case during a pandemic, you're in luck. Three prominent trial lawyers recently shared their experiences and lessons learned so you're not in the dark.
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