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Decisions of Interest
Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.
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NJ & CT News
Rulngs in neighboring states that may affect your practice.
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Applying Exceptions to the Rules Against Hearsay Evidence in Custody Cases
In Part One of this article, the authors discussed the fact that the rule against hearsay often presents roadblocks for counsel in contested custody and visitation cases. Now they look at the specific exceptions to the rules against hearsay as they relate to child custody litigations.
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Case Notes
Punitive, Non-Economic Damages Reduced for Paraplegic Injuries
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TX High Court Rules on Federal Pre-emption
In an April 18 decision that could affect other kinds of cases involving a federal regulatory scheme, the Texas Supreme Court held that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act ('CPSA') pre-empts a tort claim brought against a cigarette lighter manufacturer.
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IP News
Recent developments you need to know.
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If You Want a Broad Patent Construction, Be Careful What You Ask For
In a recent case, a patent owner claimed to have invented side impact airbag sensing. The patent enabled an embodiment; that was stipulated. In opposition to a motion for summary judgment of invalidity for lack of enablement, the owner asserted that enablement of a preferred embodiment satisfied the enablement requirement of the patent law. It didn't. The case is only one of several consistent cases. You should beware, and consider the matter in both patent prosecution and litigation. If you own a patent, and wish for a broad construction, be careful what you wish for.
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Online Pharmacy Ordered to Pay FTC $15.8 Million
Saying they 'dispensed deception,' a federal judge in Atlanta has ordered the founders and operators of a now-defunct online pharmacy business to pay the FTC $15.8 million for fraudulent claims associated with the drugs they peddled. In his order, issued June 4, U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell also found Dr. Terrill Mark Wright, a physician associated with the online pharmacies, liable for $15.4 million to compensate consumers for false advertising claims.
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In the Courts
Recent rulings of importance to your practice.
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