Retail & E-Commerce

  • April 09, 2024

    Tenn. Justices Don't Let Trader Joe's Avoid Direct Claims

    The Tennessee Supreme Court has decided not to let Trader Joe's East Inc. escape direct liability and premises liability claims in a slip-and-fall suit by admitting that one of its employees is at fault, saying that the rule the store proposed doesn't fit with the state's comparative fault system.

  • April 09, 2024

    Pot Distributor Can't Restrain Hemp Co. Amid Contract Dispute

    A cannabis distribution company and a family farm lost an early bid to stop online retailer Mood Product Group LLC from allegedly using their trade secrets to solicit suppliers, with a North Carolina Business Court judge finding the pair are unlikely to succeed on their claims.

  • April 09, 2024

    Macy's Sued In Del. To Block 'Dead Hand' Buyout Defense

    A Macy's Inc. pension fund stockholder has sued for a Delaware Court of Chancery order barring the retailer from holding its May 17 annual meeting or impeding a board proxy contest launched by two investor funds after a hostile response to their company takeover offer.

  • April 09, 2024

    Fragrance Giants Want Out Of 'Threadbare' Price-Fixing Suit

    Four international fragrance giants urged a New Jersey federal court to toss a proposed class action accusing them of conspiring to reduce competition in the multibillion-dollar fragrance market, saying plaintiffs are struggling to point to any price-fixing agreement.

  • April 09, 2024

    Printer Buyers Defend HP Ink Cartridge Antitrust Claims

    HP printer buyers told an Illinois federal court they've done enough to show that HP monopolized the market for replacement ink cartridges by alleging the company used firmware updates to lock them into purchasing HP ink cartridges.

  • April 09, 2024

    Trade Court OKs Revoking Plywood Duty Evasion Ruling

    The U.S. Court of International Trade accepted U.S. Customs and Border Protection's rescission of a duty evasion ruling that exposed importers to duties on Chinese plywood, but let CBP handle the question of duties paid under the now-rescinded ruling.

  • April 08, 2024

    Gamers Can't Block Microsoft From 'Dismantling' Activison

    A California federal judge on Monday refused to block Microsoft from further integrating Activision Blizzard into its business after it acquired the gaming titan last year, saying the gamers who are still challenging the union between the companies have a similar motion pending before the Ninth Circuit.

  • April 08, 2024

    Target's Acne Treatments Contain Benzene, Customer Says

    A Target customer in Illinois has launched consumer protection claims in federal court targeting acne treatments the retail giant allegedly manufactures and markets without disclosing benzene among their active ingredients. 

  • April 08, 2024

    3 Firms To Lead Weber Investor Suit Over $3.7B PE Buyout

    Prickett Jones & Elliot, Grant & Eisenhofer PA, and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check will together represent a proposed class of investors in grill maker Weber Inc. in consolidated litigation in Delaware's Court of Chancery over a $3.7 billion squeeze-out by private equity firm BDT Capital Partners LLC, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick decided on Monday in what she described as a "close call."

  • April 08, 2024

    Fed. Circ. Won't Touch ITC's Sonos Ruling

    Neither Google nor its legal foe at speaker brand Sonos was able to persuade the Federal Circuit on Monday to change a mixed holding from the U.S. International Trade Commission that allowed some redesigned Google Home products to stay on the market.

  • April 08, 2024

    9th Circ. Urged To Revive J&J, Bausch Talc False Ad Suit

    An attorney for a proposed class alleging they were misled by Johnson & Johnson and Bausch Health about their talc products' safety urged a Ninth Circuit panel on Monday to revive the suit, saying a lower court erred in finding his clients needed to point to specific advertisements that misled them.

  • April 08, 2024

    Mich. Judge Not Persuaded Wineries' Agritourism Is Speech

    A Michigan federal judge has found a local ban on wineries hosting weddings is not a commercial speech restriction despite the advertising potential of such events, again trimming a contentious zoning dispute ahead of trial. 

  • April 08, 2024

    Consumers Fight Amazon's E-Book Appeal Ask

    Amazon shouldn't get to go to the Second Circuit after a federal judge refused to toss a proposed class action accusing the e-commerce giant of monopolizing the e-book market, according to consumers who have urged that judge not to seek another opinion on whether they lack standing.

  • April 08, 2024

    Pepperidge Farm Distributor Can Keep Delivering Cookies

    Pepperidge Farms will have to keep using a distributor that is suing the cookie company for showing up with six moving vans on a Friday night to seize its inventory, after the California federal judge who handed down the preliminary injunction accused Pepperidge Farms of trying to "hijack" the distributorship.

  • April 08, 2024

    Czech Firm Says Its Vista Deal Offers Benefits Over Rival Bid

    Czechoslovak Group A.S. on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to its planned $1.9 billion acquisition of Vista Outdoor's sporting products business, which is also being pursued by rival bidder MNC Capital, noting that it has fully committed financing and has already received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission.

  • April 08, 2024

    Ex-USPS Worker Can Proceed With Disability Suit

    An Illinois federal judge refused to toss an ex-worker's lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service, saying she had enough evidence to get her claim that she was denied overtime because of a wrist injury before a jury, but failed to show that age discrimination was at play.

  • April 08, 2024

    Feds Say Cannabis Cos. Can't Challenge CSA Pot Ban

    The U.S. government is urging a Massachusetts federal court to throw out a suit by several cannabis companies alleging the ban on cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act is unconstitutional, saying they don't have standing to sue because their activities aren't being prosecuted.

  • April 08, 2024

    Tesla Owner Claims Company's Warranty Misled Customers

    A California Tesla owner claims the electric vehicle company falsely advertised a battery warranty and refused to replace a fuse on his car without charge, a repair that should have been covered by the agreement, according to a proposed class action filed in California federal court.

  • April 08, 2024

    Starbucks Drops TM Suit After Fake Websites Go Dark

    Starbucks has agreed to drop a trademark lawsuit claiming a pair of websites ripped off its "twin-tailed siren" logo and other brand material to sell fake franchise deals, saying in a recent Washington federal court filing that the allegedly unauthorized activity has stopped.

  • April 08, 2024

    Hormel Settling Pork Price-Fixing Claims For Over $11M

    Three plaintiff classes in the ongoing pork price-fixing litigation against Hormel Foods have reached preliminary settlements worth over $11 million with the company and are now asking the Minnesota federal judge overseeing the case to grant them initial approval.

  • April 08, 2024

    Walmart-Backed Digital Marketer Ibotta Primes $450M IPO

    Walmart-backed digital marketing platform Ibotta Inc. on Monday launched plans for an initial public offering led by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC that could raise $450 million, hoping to tap a thawing IPO market for technology issuers.

  • April 08, 2024

    3 Firms Score $885K Fee In Synchrony Investor Deal

    A Connecticut federal judge has approved $885,000 in fees and expenses for three law firms that won corporate governance changes at Synchrony Financial after investors sued the bank's leaders during an offshoot of a securities case that netted a $34 million judgment over consumer credit card practices.

  • April 08, 2024

    FTC Defends In-House Judges' Role In H&R Block Case

    H&R Block wrongly claimed that the Federal Trade Commission's administrative law judges should be disqualified from overseeing an administrative proceeding accusing the tax preparation company of deceptive advertising, FTC lawyers told the agency, arguing the judges don't have illegal job protections.

  • April 08, 2024

    New Balance, Golden Goose Agree To End 'Dad Shoe' IP Row

    New Balance and rival shoe brand Golden Goose have settled a trademark infringement dispute over a style of chunky "Dad" sneakers sold by the two companies, according to a court filing.

  • April 08, 2024

    99 Cents Only Files Ch. 11 With Plans To Close All Stores

    Discount store 99 Cents Only and five affiliates filed for bankruptcy in Delaware on Monday, listing over $1 billion in debt, days after it announced plans to wind down operations and close its 371 stores in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

Expert Analysis

  • Staying Ahead Of The AI Policymaking Curve

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    With artificial intelligence poised to be the hottest legislative and regulatory topic in 2024, expect the AI policymaking toolbox to continue to expand and evolve as stakeholders in the U.S. and abroad develop, deploy, use and learn more about these technologies, say attorneys at Hogan Lovells.

  • 10 Years Of Retail Battles: Unpacking Pricing Litigation Trends

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    A close look at a decade of pricing class actions against retailers reveals evolving trends, plaintiffs bar strategies, and the effects of significant court decisions across states, say attorneys at Benesch.

  • Employee Experience Strategy Can Boost Law Firm Success

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    Amid continuing business uncertainty, law firms should consider adopting a holistic employee experience strategy — prioritizing consistency, targeting signature moments and leveraging measurement tools — to maximize productivity and profitability, says Haley Revel at Calibrate Consulting.

  • What Cos. Can Learn From 2023 Export Enforcement Report

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    A January report summarizing key actions and policy changes undertaken at the Office of Export Enforcement in 2023 is a valuable indicator of future government priorities and the factors companies should consider as they conduct export operations amid what may be a turbulent international trading environment in 2024, says Thaddeus McBride at Bass Berry.

  • How Consumer Product Cos. Can Keep Up With Class Actions

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    Recent cases show California's federal courts and the Ninth Circuit remain the preferred arena for consumers pursuing false advertising and trade deception claims against companies — so manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer products should continue to watch these courts for guidance on how to fight class actions, say attorneys at Dechert.

  • Series

    Competing In Triathlons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    While practicing law and competing in long-distance triathlons can make work and life feel unbalanced at times, participating in the sport has revealed important lessons about versatility, self-care and perseverance that apply to the office as much as they do the racecourse, says Laura Heusel at Butler Snow.

  • OCC Guidance May Lead Off 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Regulations

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    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's bulletin released last month to assist national and federal savings banks with managing the risks posed by "buy now, pay later" lending may be the start of increased state legislation or guidance specifically aimed at regulating such loans, say Susan Seaman and Jacob Huston at Husch Blackwell.

  • Where Justices Stand On Chevron Doctrine Post-Argument

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    Following recent oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court, at least four justices appear to be in favor of overturning the long-standing Chevron deference, and three justices seem ready to uphold it, which means the ultimate decision may rest on Chief Justice John Roberts' vote, say Wayne D'Angelo and Zachary Lee at Kelley Drye.

  • How States Vary On The Fireman's Rule And Its Applicability

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    A recent decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals, reviving a firefighter’s suit, is illustrative of changes in the application and interpretation by state courts and legislatures of the Fireman’s Rule, which bans first responders from recovering for injuries sustained on the job, says Shea Feagin at Swift Currie.

  • Perspectives

    6 Practice Pointers For Pro Bono Immigration Practice

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    An attorney taking on their first pro bono immigration matter may find the law and procedures beguiling, but understanding key deadlines, the significance of individual immigration judges' rules and specialized aspects of the practice can help avoid common missteps, says Steven Malm at Haynes Boone.

  • Series

    ESG Around The World: Canada

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    In Canada, multiple statutes, regulations, common law and industry guidance address environmental, social and governance considerations, with debate over ESG in the business realm potentially growing on the horizon, say attorneys at Blakes.

  • Lessons From Country Singer's Personal Service Saga

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    Recent reports that country singer Luke Combs won a judgment against a Florida woman who didn’t receive notice of the counterfeit suit against her should serve as a reminder for attorneys on best practices for effectuating service by electronic means, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.

  • 9 Contractual Issues Tech Startups Should Be Wary Of

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    Technology startups often overlook relatively simple but crucial contracting steps that are essential to owning and protecting their intellectual property, and the consequences of this will almost always surface at some point, typically in connection with a key investment or other significant transaction involving the business, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

  • 5 AI Risks For Corporate Boards To Examine

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    Whether companies are building their own artificial intelligence technology or leveraging third-party tools, their directors should get educated on certain legal issues and business risks to ensure the adoption of policies that foster responsible use of generative AI, say James Gatto and Tiana Garbett at Sheppard Mullin.

  • 3 Areas Of Focus In Congressional Crosshairs This Year

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    Companies must prepare for Congress to build on its 2023 oversight priorities this year, continuing its vigorous inquiries into Chinese company-related investments, workplace safety and labor relations issues, and generative artificial intelligence, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

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