The WSJ reported Monday night that “the Justice Department has gone back to the publishers asking about any recent pricing discussions they may have had with others in the industry, say people familiar with the situation.” The “inquiries” the paper refers to were “made in recent weeks by letter,” just as at least two publishers are in negotiations with Amazon. The Journal adds, “The significance of the Justice Department’s latest move isn’t clear. The inquiries don’t necessarily mean any legal action is imminent or even likely, a person familiar with the situation said.” But it sure sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? The […]
Legal
Judge Temporarily Blocks Hastings Merger, Schedules Hearing On Shareholder Suit
A Texas US District Court has granted a temporary restraining order “restricting” the proposed merger between retailer Hastings and companies controlled by National Entertainment Collectibles Association owner Joel Weinshanker. The court has scheduled a June 12 hearing on a shareholder lawsuit alleging that the purchase price is “insufficient consideration” and charged that the officers and directors of Hastings “breached their respective fiduciary duties in the course of negotiating and approving” the merger. The buyout offer is for $3 a share, but the plaintiffs indicated earlier they believe the company may be worth $5 a share or more. If the $21.4 million buyout is […]
Writers Coffee Shop Sued By Former Business Partner Over Share of FIFTY SHADES Proceeds
The complicated publication path of EL James’ FIFTY SHADES trilogy has finally yielded legal action, as James’ first publisher, Australian-based The Writers Coffee Shop owner Amanda Hayward, was sued last week in a Texas state court by her former business partners Jennifer Pedroza and Christa Beebe, for a share of the massive proceeds from the trilogy. According to the 48-page complaint, obtained by Courthouse News, “This is a case about greed and self-dealing by Amanda Hayward in conning her business partner Jenny Pedroza out of her rightful partnership interest in advances and royalties flowing from the New York Times best-selling […]
Apple’s Request For a Stay of Damages Trial Is Denied
The Appeals Court panel of Judges Barrington D. Parker, Debra Ann Livingston, and Christopher F. Droney came to a quick decision after the hearing their chambers Thursday morning. Apple’s “motion for a stay pending appeal is denied because Appellant has failed to meet the requisite standard.” So the damages trial, currently scheduled for July 14 but potentially subject to at least minor postponement, will go forward.
Appeals Court Shows Sympathy for Both Sides In Hearing on Apple’s Stay
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday morning on Apple’s motion to stay Judge Cote’s injunction — and in turn, delay the start of the damages trial, currently set for July 14. While the three judges did not issue any ruling from the bench, the immediate sense from their questioning was that one jurist will be in favor of granting the stay, another will vote to deny, and the third seemed undecided, at least outwardly. Apple’s lawyer urged the appeals court to grant the stay as the case is a “classic rule 23 review,” while also noting it’s […]
DOJ, States Rebuff Apple Appeal By Presenting Their Case Again
The Department of Justice and plaintiff states filed a joint reply brief to Apple’s appeal in the ongoing ebook price fixing case Tuesday afternoon. Much of the 117-page document presents the government’s case against Apple all over again, though there are some new bits of information, Most notably it reveals that on Thursday, May 29, when the BEA trade show floor opens, the Appeals Court will hear oral arguments on Apple’s request for an emergency stay of the damages trial. A postponement of the July 14 trial was already a foregone conclusion once the temporary stay was granted, but that hearing may […]