Author Archives: Kenneth Tanji, Jr.

Patent Law – The Patent Troll Update: News and Strategy – Summer 2016

The latest on patent trolls and how to stop them: In June 2016, the US Supreme Court upheld the right of patent infringement defendants to seek Inter Partes review of the patent by the USPTO A court overturned a $625 … Continue reading

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ADA Lawsuits – updates on the defense of ADA cases – summer 2016

Recent ADA lawsuit news: The East Bay has been dealing with a wave of ADA lawsuits. Fresno’s Channel 30 investigated ADA lawsuits. This year’s proposed California legislation to limit the impact of ADA lawsuits. Finally, on May 10, 2016, California … Continue reading

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Employment Law – Uber settles its way out of an uncomfortable situation

We previously reported on the lawsuits against Uber wherein the courts could have ruled on whether its drivers were independent contractors (as Uber contends) or employees. A settlement agreement has been reached on these lawsuits (in California and Massachusetts) wherein … Continue reading

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Patent Law – The Patent Troll Update: News and Strategy – Winter 2016

The latest on patent trolls and how to stop them: 2015 was the second biggest year ever for filing patent lawsuits. A jury found Apple owes $626 million in damages for infringing a patent by the use of software including … Continue reading

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ADA Lawsuits – updates on the defense of ADA cases – winter 2016

Recent ADA lawsuit news: The Hanford Sentinel reports most ADA cases settle for less than $10,000, which is consistent with our experience California Governor Brown vetoed SB 251, which would have allowed businesses time (ranging from 15 to 120 days) … Continue reading

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Trademark Law – Pepperidge Farms thinks Trader Joe’s Crispy Cookies looks too much like Milano cookies

Pepperidge Farms sued Trader Joe’s in Connecticut Federal Court, claiming Trader Joe’s Crispy Cookies infringes Pepperidge Farms’ trademarks in its Milano cookies, i.e. the configuration of the Milano cookie [chocolate filling sandwiched between two oval shaped cookies] and packaging Milano … Continue reading

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Patent Law – The Patent Troll Update: News and Strategy – Fall 2015

The latest on patent trolls and how to stop them: Is the University of Wisconsin acting like a patent troll? The requirements for writing a proper patent lawsuit have increased, but that may not change things much. Nintendo prevails against … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Elizabeth Banks found not liable for copyright infringement in lawsuit about ‘Walk of Shame’

Elizabeth Banks showed a lot of spirit in her starring role in the 2014 comedy movie Walk of Shame, but the movie did not perform well at the box office (although it has since been a constant presence on HBO). … Continue reading

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Employment Law – Uber lawsuit on whether drivers are employees or independent contractors may change the Sharing Economy

Uber has gone from officially launching service in 2011 to being valued at up to $51 billion as of July 2015.  It is the most famous example of the growing number of companies that is part of the “sharing economy.” … Continue reading

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Employment Law – Increase in Minimum Wage in some California Cities is a Good Time to Review Tip Pooling Laws

California’s minimum wage is currently $9 per hour and will increase to $10 per hour on January 1, 2016.  Several California cities (such as the City and County of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland) have recently passed laws to … Continue reading

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