News from June 2016
Airbnb takes San Francisco to federal court over short-term rental law
SAN FRANCISCO – Airbnb has sued the city and county of San Francisco over a law that puts companies like it on the hook if they promote short-term housing rentals by a host that hasn’t registered with the city and county.
Lawyer: Dual agency doesn’t comport with transparency in real estate transactions
SAN FRANCISCO – Dual agency in real estate transactions is coming under scrutiny by the California Supreme Court.
Business advocate: State Supreme Court OKs reform initiative amendments
SACRAMENTO – A recent state Supreme Court ruling that was a win for Gov. Jerry Brown's judicial reform initiative makes it plain that the high court is fine with amendments that were added after the comment period, a small business advocate said during a recent interview.
Shark fin soup off the menus after Supreme Court declines to hear ban of state law
SAN FRANCISCO – After a U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear a challenge of California’s law banning possession and sale of shark fins, a fight has ended, and shark fin soup will not be on the menu at many Asian restaurants.
Advertisements play role in class actions following ovarian cancer study, verdict
SACRAMENTO – An uptick in the filing of class-action lawsuits stemming from a study linking talc to ovarian cancer can be largely traced to advertisements aired by personal injury attorneys in the wake of a recent verdict, according to Julie Griffiths of California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA).
Bentham IMF Launches New Civil Justice Research Center at the University of California Irvine School of Law
“Ideally, public institutions would be wholly independent and free of private funds," said Joshua Paul Davis, associate dean for academic affairs and director of the Center for Law and Ethics at the University of San Francisco School of Law
Van-Oil Petroleum claims it is owed payment for bunkers
SAN FRANCISCO – A British Virgin Islands corporation is suing a vessel for allegedly not paying for fuel.
Suit filed against Audi over alleged use of defeat devices
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Luis Obispo resident has filed a lawsuit against three auto manufacturers alleging that they violated U.S. environmental law by putting a "defeat device" in its cars to pass emissions tests.
Three Brothers Electrical Contractors Inc. accused of not allowing audit
SAN FRANCISCO – The boards of trustees for several labor union funds allege an employer breached its contract.
City of Woodland faces suit alleging violation of FLSA
SACRAMENTO – A man has filed a class-action lawsuit against a California city alleging it did not pay its employees overtime wages.
Amy's Kitchen Inc. seeks to recover funds
SAN FRANCISCO – A plan administrator is seeking recovery of medical expenses it paid for a participant's auto accident.
Adobe claims Oregon company sells unauthorized copies of software
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Jose software company alleges a Portland, Oregon company and a Wisconsin individual distributed unauthorized copies of its software.
Run Them Sweet alleges it was overcharged fees for patents
SAN FRANCISCO – A medical diagnostics company alleges it was overcharged for the fees required for registering its patents at foreign patent registrars. It has filed a class-action lawsuit.
Insurance company seeks to rescind policy for Sullivan Vineyards
SAN FRANCISCO – A Georgia-based insurance firm alleges a Rutherford winery misrepresented information on an application for insurance.
Transcend Technologies Group Inc. claims software was copied
SACRAMENTO – A Rancho Cordova software maker alleges a competitor copied its software and sold it under a different name.
BlueGreen Vacations Unlimited accused of falsely advertising timeshares
SACRAMENTO – A California couple alleges a timeshare they purchased was falsely advertised and has filed a class-action suit.
Auto dealer claims FCA US denied proposal
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Jose auto dealer alleges that an auto manufacturer denied its relocation and facility proposal in order to force it to give up the franchise.
Consumer claims injures from use of sling medical device
SACRAMENTO – A consumer alleges that the manufacturers of pelvic mesh products produced defective devices.
Individuals file suit against Meridian Financial Services claiming invasion of privacy
SAN FRANCISCO – Two California residents allege that a company recorded their conversations, which included sensitive information about financial matters, without disclosing that they were being recorded.
GoPro files suit against Polaroid makers alleging patent infringement
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Mateo camera company has filed suit against other camera companies over allegations of patent infringement in regards to camera cases and apps.