February 2018 Archives
Uber settlement with Waymo
Residents of California who follow the news coming out of Silicon Valley may have heard that Uber has been spending the past year tied up in litigation over its driverless car technology; the company suing Uber, Waymo, has been claiming that Uber stole its proprietary technology. Recently, the case was settled, and Uber agreed to pay Waymo $245 million in equity, giving the plaintiff, along with its parent company, a 0.34 percent equity stake in Uber.
Beatles' companies file suit against online counterfeit vendors
California is the home of the entertainment industry, and that industry can also spawn disputes over copyrights, trademarks and counterfeit fan-oriented merchandise. The Beatles have filed a lawsuit against 48 different websites for selling counterfeit fan gear with the band's logo, work or other trademarks. The suit, filed by the band's companies Apple Corps and Subafilms, lists a number of internet vendors and aliases that the band alleges have sold items that feature imitations of Beatles merchandise and images.
Disputes ongoing over James Brown's estate
In January 2018, a lawsuit was filed in California regarding the estate of the singer James Brown. It is one of more than a dozen challenges filed since his death in 2006, and their steady stream means that the underprivileged children he hoped to help as well his other beneficiaries have not received any of the assets intended for them.
Trade secret lawsuit filed against Uber company
California has become a hub of technological advancement for the United States, as well as around the world. When it comes to innovative technologies that can enhance the lives of consumers, medical patients and professionals, competition is fierce. It is not uncommon for one company to accuse another of stealing trade secrets, particularly in the information and technology sector. It is important to understand the difference between a trade secret that can harm business and knowledge that someone did not necessarily pick up while working for a competitor.
