The largest mass tort litigation in U.S. history has come to an end. On August 29, 2023, 3M, a company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of industrial, safety, and consumer products, reached a $6 billion settlement, resolving hundreds of thousands of lawsuits filed by U.S. military service members (the “Plaintiffs”). The Plaintiffs claimed that they suffered hearing loss from the use of 3M’s earplugs. (Brendan Pierson, Reuters). The settlement followed 3M's failed attempt to limit its liability through a controversial legal maneuver known as the “Texas Two-Step.” Id. This article explores 3M’s legal battle, specifically its unsuccessful Texas Two-Step, and the potential impact from the failed maneuver on future corporate liability.
Read MoreUnder the leadership of Chair Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has taken an “aggressive” approach on challenging monopolies, especially in the healthcare industry. (Caitlin McCabe et al., WSJ). Echoing the FTC's recent approach to antitrust enforcement, the agency launched a civil suit on September 21, 2023, against U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (“USAP”) and private equity (“PE”) firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (“Welsh Carson”). (Megan McArdle, Washington Post; FTC). The FTC alleges that USAP and Welsh Carson engaged in an “anticompetitive scheme to consolidate anesthesiology practices in Texas.” Id. This lawsuit has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising questions about fair competition and the future of the healthcare industry.
Read MoreIn August of 2020, Apple removed Fortnite, a popular game created by Epic Games (“Epic”), from the Apple App Store. (Perez, Techcrunch). Apple removed Fortnite the same day Epic began offering discounts to Fortnite users who made in-game purchases directly through Epic. (Browning, N.Y. Times). Apple has an “anti-steering” policy, which prohibits companies from directing app users to transact directly with the app developers and cutting out Apple as the middleman. Id. Epic’s practice violated the anti-steering policy and another Apple policy requiring that all “in-app” purchases be made through the Apple App Store where Apple collects a 30% fee. (Gilbert, Businessinsider). This policy has paid major dividends for Apple as the Apple App Store provides a significant portion of the company’s $78.1 billion in services revenue in 2022. (Leswing, CNBC).
As a result, on August 13, 2020, Epic sued Apple in federal court in the Northern District of California bringing a variety of claims including federal antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, California antitrust claims, and claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law. Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc., 559 F. Supp. 3d 898, 1014 (N.D. Cal. 2021), aff'd in part, rev'd in part and remanded, 67 F.4th 946 (9th Cir. 2023).
Read MoreIn 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced plans to forgive up to $400B in student loans (“forgiveness plan”). (Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog). The Supreme Court struck the plan down in a 6-3 vote, ruling that the Biden-Harris Administration had exceeded its authority. Id. In response, the Administration has posited a new tactic to help student loan borrowers: the Savings on a Valuable Education Plan (“SAVE Plan”). This article analyzes the SAVE Plan, including key details and potential issues, as well as the positive impact it will have on future generations of college applicants.
Read MoreFrom generating basic JavaScript code to creating a 7-day European trip itinerary, ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (“AI”) programs are a one-stop shop for many internet users. Businesses from a wide array of industries have tapped into the countless uses of AI, revolutionizing the workforce as we know it. (Serenity Gibbons et al., Forbes). Within two months of ChatGPT’s November 2022 launch, it became the “fastest-growing consumer application in history.” (Krystal Hu, Reuters). The impressive growth of AI has fueled concerns over this ever-changing technology – including data privacy and the spread of misinformation. (David Grier, IEEE Computer Society). In response to these concerns, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is investigating OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, as to whether OpenAI violates consumer protection laws. (Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post). The FTC investigation highlights the need for effective AI regulation and has sparked a nationwide discussion amongst lawmakers, employers, employees, AI companies, and other stakeholders involved in this AI arms race. (Andrew Chow et al., TIME).
Read MoreSan Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company (“Anchor”, “Anchor Brewing”), the oldest craft brewer in the United States, has withstood many hardships, and until now, has been a survivor. (Ansari and Otis, The Wall Street Journal). Over the past 127 years, the brewery has survived catastrophic earthquakes, the national prohibition of alcohol, two world wars, and competition from mass-produced beers. (Albeck-Ripka, The New York Times; Anchor Brewing). Despite a history of resilience, Anchor Brewing recently announced ‘last call’ on July 12, 2023. Due to its inability to recover from the consequences of the pandemic and the failure on its parent company, Japan’s Sapporo, to profitably run the craft brewer, Anchor Brewing Company has been forced to close its doors. (Albeck-Ripka, The New York Times).
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