Retail & E-Commerce

  • January 17, 2025

    Users' Google Suit Can Advance With Pared Search Claims

    Winnowed consumer antitrust claims against Google can move forward after a California federal judge said Thursday that while users failed to resurrect claims of an agreement keeping Apple out of online search, they've now adequately accused Google of stifling would-be rivals with fewer ads or more privacy.

  • January 17, 2025

    EBay Can't Appeal Punitive Damages Ruling In Stalking Case

    A Massachusetts federal judge has denied a request by eBay Inc. to ask the First Circuit whether it should have to face the possibility of punitive damages in a civil suit brought by a Bay State couple who say the e-commerce company waged a stalking and intimidation campaign against them.

  • January 17, 2025

    FTC Accuses Pepsi Of Giving Advantage To Favored Retailer

    The Federal Trade Commission on Friday accused Pepsi of giving a big box retailer better terms and promotional payments, putting smaller competitors at a disadvantage.

  • January 16, 2025

    IP Forecast: Mass. Court To Hear Inequitable Conduct Fight

    A federal judge in Massachusetts will hear arguments that a CEO’s “intentional misrepresentations, omissions and half-truths” at the patent office should sink his company’s infringement case over tamper-resistant plastic containers. Here's a spotlight on where that case stands — plus all the other major intellectual property matters on deck in the coming week.

  • January 16, 2025

    SEC Hit With Atty Fee Request Over Rare In-House Loss

    A Michigan-based company that convinced the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to retroactively lift a trading suspension is now arguing that the agency should have to pay the company's attorneys because enforcement staff "lied and misled" in order to obtain the suspension.

  • January 16, 2025

    2nd Circ. Revives Wonderful Pistachios' Trade Dress Case

    The Second Circuit revived a trademark infringement complaint from The Wonderful Co. LLC and Cal Pure Produce against pistachio-selling rival Nut Cravings Inc., saying Thursday that the plaintiffs plausibly alleged a likelihood of confusion in how each company's products are packaged, contrary to what a Manhattan federal judge concluded in dismissing the case.

  • January 16, 2025

    Joann Can Fund Speedy Ch. 11 Sale Plans With Cash On Hand

    Joann Inc. is racing to find a going concern buyer before mid-February, or it will take an offer from a firm that plans to liquidate the 80-year-old national craft supply retailer, attorneys told a Delaware bankruptcy judge Thursday, laying out the tight timeline proposed in its second Chapter 11 in less than a year.

  • January 16, 2025

    Google, Kove Settle Cloud Storage Patent Case

    Google and Kove IO Inc. have settled claims that the technology behemoth infringed three of the Chicago software company's patents covering cloud storage technologies, the parties told an Illinois federal court, concluding a dispute similar to another involving Amazon where Kove won a $673 million jury award, plus interest.

  • January 16, 2025

    Gov't Wants Time During Epic, Google's 9th Circ. Face-Off

    When Epic Games and Google face off next month at the Ninth Circuit, the federal government is hoping it will get a few minutes to state its case for why the appellate court shouldn't overturn an order forcing Google to allow alternative app stores on its platform, the government said in a recent motion.

  • January 16, 2025

    EpiPen Direct Buyers, Mylan Ink $75M Antitrust Deal

    Mylan Pharmaceuticals has agreed to pay $73.5 million to resolve claims it worked with Pfizer to inflate the price of the latter's popular auto-injecting emergency allergy medication EpiPen, a proposed class of direct purchasers told a Kansas federal judge Wednesday, bringing the total settlement to $123.5 million.

  • January 16, 2025

    Former NY Cannabis Regulator Backs Embattled Program

    The former leader of New York's cannabis regulator and an architect of the state's marijuana legalization law on Thursday defended the integrity of the agency before a roomful of cannabis attorneys, some of whom have litigated against its core policies.

  • January 16, 2025

    Swedish Match Wants 'Copycat' Sham Patent Suit Nixed

    Swedish Match urged a Virginia federal judge to toss a proposed class action it said largely parrots a since-settled antitrust suit from which consumers can draw no basis for claims the tobacco company used litigation to drive a nicotine pouch rival out of the market.

  • January 16, 2025

    Colo. AG Wants Ruling In Case Grocers' Merger Is Resurrected

    The Colorado attorney general on Wednesday urged a Denver judge to rule on the state's challenge to Kroger Co. and Albertsons' merger despite the grocers' claims they've abandoned the deal, arguing the fact that the companies dispute each other's termination of the merger suggests it "may still be operative."

  • January 16, 2025

    Amazon Shoppers' 'Buy Box' Suit Tossed For Good

    A Washington federal judge has rejected two consumers' attempt to rectify their proposed class action against Amazon, concluding the plaintiffs cannot show a reasonable customer would be duped into believing the "Buy Box" on the marketplace website shows the lowest priced offer for any item.

  • January 16, 2025

    FTC Fights Southern Glazer's Bid To Seal Pricing Allegations

    The Federal Trade Commission is opposing a bid from Southern Glazer's to permanently seal parts of the complaint in the commission's price discrimination case, including percentages allegedly showing how much more small retailers pay for wine and spirits than large chains.

  • January 16, 2025

    HP's $4M 'Strike-Through' Prices Deal Nears Initial OK

    A California federal judge indicated Thursday he's open to preliminarily approving HP's $4 million deal to resolve a proposed class action alleging the company misled consumers with fictitious "strike-through" prices of products sold online, but expressed skepticism about a provision that barred consumers from litigating while the deal is pending approval.

  • January 16, 2025

    S&C-Led Symbotic Buys Walmart's AI-Based Robotics Biz

    Artificial intelligence-enabled robotics technology company Symbotic Inc., advised by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, on Thursday announced plans to acquire Walmart's Advanced Systems and Robotics, and the two will enter into a multiyear partnership under which Walmart will buy and deploy robotic systems to be used for 400 pickup and deliver centers at Walmart locations.

  • January 16, 2025

    Cleveland-Cliffs Sets Sights On US Steel, And More Rumors

    Cleveland-Cliffs has re-emerged as a potential suitor to purchase U.S. Steel after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon's planned purchase, TikTok could be sold to Elon Musk, and Prada is among potential suitors eyeing Versace. Here, Law360 breaks down these and other notable deal rumors from the past week.

  • January 16, 2025

    Fed. Circ. Says German Paper Co. Can't Nix $194M Duties Suit

    The Federal Circuit on Thursday refused to throw a lifeline to a German paper manufacturer accused of skirting nearly $194 million worth of duties, finding no issue with the U.S. government's service of process to the foreign company.

  • January 15, 2025

    Microsoft Accused Of Stealing Online Marketer Commissions

    An affiliate marketing company whose software aims to help online shoppers support or avoid certain businesses hauled Microsoft into Washington federal court on Tuesday, alleging in a proposed class action that the technology giant steals referral fees and sales commissions by replacing online marketers' affiliate marketing cookies with its own.

  • January 15, 2025

    Amazon, FedEx, Anthem Blast Guo Ch. 11 Clawbacks

    Amazon, Anthem and FedEx on Wednesday asked a Connecticut bankruptcy judge to toss millions in clawback claims against nearly 40 entities by Chinese exile Miles Guo's Chapter 11 trustee, saying during oral arguments that the trustee is misusing prior rulings that Guo's shell companies were his alter egos.

  • January 15, 2025

    Abbott's Toddler Nutrition Drinks Aren't Healthy, Parents Claim

    A trio of parents filed a proposed false advertising class action in Illinois federal court Tuesday alleging Abbott Laboratories touts its toddler drinks sold under the Similac brand as nutritionally proper for children ages 12 months to 36 months, even though the products contain added sugar which is harmful to health.

  • January 15, 2025

    FTC Defends Authority To Bring Amazon Antitrust Case

    The Federal Trade Commission is pushing back on Amazon's claims that the commission can't bring an antitrust case in federal court without first launching an administrative complaint, telling the Washington federal judge overseeing its case against the e-commerce giant that the Ninth Circuit has already cleared such a move.

  • January 15, 2025

    Samsung Slams Epic's Antitrust Suit Over Google Play Store

    Samsung moved to end Epic Games' suit alleging it colluded with Google to skirt an impending injunction forcing Google to permit competition with its Play Store by installing an auto blocker feature on Samsung devices, telling a California federal judge Wednesday the feature is a product improvement shielded from antitrust scrutiny.

  • January 15, 2025

    Grocer, Insurers Must Produce Docs In NC Opioid Row

    A North Carolina state court issued a discovery decision in a dispute between grocery chain Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. and a slew of its insurers over coverage for about 100 lawsuits seeking damages related to the opioid epidemic, telling the parties to hand over certain documents from between 1993 and 2014.

Expert Analysis

  • Co-Tenancy Clause Pointers For Shopping Center Landlords

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    Large retail tenants often require co-tenancy provisions in their leases, entitling them to remedies if a shopping center's occupancy drops in certain ways, but landlords must draft these provisions carefully to avoid giving tenants too much control, says Gary Glick at Cox Castle.

  • Complying With FTC's Final Rule On Sham Online Reviews

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    The Federal Trade Commission's final rule on deceptive acts and practices in online reviews and testimonials is effective Oct. 21, and some practice tips can help businesses avert noncompliance risks, say Airina Rodrigues and Jonathan Sandler at Brownstein Hyatt.

  • Assessing Algorithmic Versus Generative AI Pricing Tools

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    A comparison of traditional algorithmic pricing models and those powered by generative artificial intelligence can help regulators and practitioners weigh the pros and cons of relying on large language models to price products or services, say Maxime Cohen at McGill University, and Tim Spittle and Jimmy Royer at Analysis Group.

  • 3 Patent Considerations For America's New Quantum Hub

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    Recent developments signal an incredibly bright future for Chicago as the new home of quantum computing, and it is crucial that these innovators — whose technology has the potential to transform many industries — prioritize intellectual property strategy, says Andrew Velzen at McDonnell Boehnen.

  • Navigating A Potpourri Of Possible Transparency Act Pitfalls

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    Despite the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's continued release of guidance for complying with the Corporate Transparency Act, its interpretation remains in flux, making it important for companies to understand potentially problematic areas of ambiguity in the practical application of the law, say attorneys at Sidley.

  • How Companies Are Approaching Insider Trading Policies

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    An analysis of insider trading policies recently disclosed by 49 S&P 500 companies under a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule reveals that while specific provisions vary from company to company, certain common themes are emerging, say attorneys at Gibson Dunn.

  • 11 Patent Cases To Watch At Fed. Circ. And High Court

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    As we head into fall, there are 11 patent cases to monitor, touching on a range of issues that could affect patent strategy, such as biotech innovation, administrative rulemaking and patent eligibility, say Edward Lanquist and Wesley Barbee at Baker Donelson.

  • How Methods Are Evolving In Textualist Interpretations

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    Textualists at the U.S. Supreme Court are increasingly considering new methods such as corpus linguistics and surveys to evaluate what a statute's text communicates to an ordinary reader, while lower courts even mull large language models like ChatGPT as supplements, says Kevin Tobia at Georgetown Law.

  • Finding Coverage For Online Retail Privacy Class Actions

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    Following recent court rulings interpreting state invasion of privacy and electronic surveillance statutes triggering a surge in the filing of privacy class actions against online retailers, companies should examine their various insurance policies, including E&O and D&O, for defense coverage of these claims, says Alison Gaske at Gilbert LLP.

  • Trending At The PTAB: Obviousness In Director Reviews

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    Three July decisions from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office favoring petitioners indicate a willingness by the director to review substantive issues, such as obviousness, particularly in cases where the director believes the Patent Trial and Appeal Board provided incorrect or inadequate rationale to support its decisions, say attorneys at Finnegan.

  • Why Attorneys Should Consider Community Leadership Roles

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    Volunteering and nonprofit board service are complementary to, but distinct from, traditional pro bono work, and taking on these community leadership roles can produce dividends for lawyers, their firms and the nonprofit causes they support, says Katie Beacham at Kilpatrick.

  • Firms Must Offer A Trifecta Of Services In Post-Chevron World

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    After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision overturning Chevron deference, law firms will need to integrate litigation, lobbying and communications functions to keep up with the ramifications of the ruling and provide adequate counsel quickly, says Neil Hare at Dentons.

  • How Cos. Can Leverage IP In Corporate Bankruptcy

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    In light of an increase in year-to-date Chapter 11 filings, businesses must understand the importance and value of intellectual property in corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, from contributing to enterprise value, to providing leverage in negotiations and facilitating recovery, says Gregory Campanella at Ocean Tomo.

  • 5 Tips To Succeed In A Master Of Laws Program And Beyond

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    As lawyers and recent law school graduates begin their Master of Laws coursework across the country, they should keep a few pointers in mind to get the most out of their programs and kick-start successful careers in their practice areas, says Kelley Miller at Reed Smith.

  • Opinion

    Portland's Gross Receipts Tax Oversteps City's Authority

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    Recent measures by Portland, Oregon, that expand the voter-approved scope of the Clean Energy Surcharge on certain retail sales eviscerate the common meaning of the word "retail" and exceed the city's chartered authority to levy tax, say Nikki Dobay at Greenberg Traurig and Jeff Newgard at Peak Policy.

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