Law Summer School

A San Diego federal jury ruled that computer giant Microsoft will pay Alcatel-Lucent, a telecommunications infrastructure maker, a settlement of $70 million for a patent infringement. The claim, first filed in 2003, involves a patent that was applied for by AT&T. The patent was for “a method of entering information into fields on a computer screen without using a keyboard.” Initially, Lucent had filed suits against Dell and Gateway for infringing on the copyright in 2003, but Microsoft intervened.

An earlier trial that included the same parties ruled that Microsoft was guilty of using the patent in their Windows Mobile, Outlook email software and Microsoft Money. That ruling could have cost Microsoft over $500 million, but the damages of the infringement were recalculated on an appeal and reduced. Microsoft’s deputy general counsel of litigation and corporate vice president David Howard said they will be reviewing the verdict and considering what their next steps will be.

This case was not the first court battle between Microsoft and Alcatel. In fact, they have had a long series of legal battles. In 2003, Dell and Gateway were Alcatel targets for the use of MP3 technologies. Microsoft also intervened in that case and was victorious. Microsoft lost a battle with the U.S.
International Trade Commission over an infringement complaint that Alcatel filed over technology that is used to affiliate and identify users on a telephone network. In yet a third case, in 2008, which involved digital speech compression, the court handed down a mixed ruling.

After two teens were identified as the robbers who broke into the home of a college student, the Schenectady District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Larrell Moody and Qaran West. The two teens, who are related, maintained their innocence throughout the investigation. Police took statements from the victims, who were eventually able to identify Moody and West as the perpetrators. According to the police report, a group of four college students gathered at an apartment where they were subsequently robbed of their cash, jewelry and electronics.

Investigators began to grow suspicious when the alleged victims stopped cooperating. Two retained attorneys and refused to validate their stories. DNA evidence was found at the scene of the crime, and the Schenectady District Attorney ordered for the charged teens to be tested. When their DNA did not match the evidence that was collected, all charges were dropped.

The teens, who were supposed to go on trial in September, each faced sentences up to 25 years, if convicted. Lawyers for West and Moody were pleased with the outcome of the investigation. Although the Schenectady District Attorney would not comment on whether or not other suspects were being investigated, the office did acknowledge that justice had been done.

There is evidence that indicates that the alleged victims may know who the real perpetrators are, however, they may be too frightened to identify them. It is unclear whether an assault took place, but DNA evidence left behind did exonerate the two teen former suspects who are now back in the custody of their guardians.

After the ‘Two and a Half Men’ star was released from his contract with Warner Brothers Studios, Charlie Sheen immediately filed suit. According to the actor, Warner Bros. did not give him the opportunity to fully recover from his drug addiction before illegally dismissing him. Sheen has had several stints in rehab as well as a long history of drug related arrests. The star is looking to be compensated for more than $100 million. Lawyers for Warner Brothers contend that the company has given Sheen numerous opportunities to recover before they released him from his contractual obligations.

The hit TV series may continue with actor Ashton Kutcher, however, Sheen believes that he deserves to continue to get royalties from the sale of DVDs and other merchandise. As Sheen failed to fulfill his contractual obligation, Warner Brothers stands by their decision. Not only has Sheen’s notoriety shed a negative light on the TV show, his actions also caused the studio to halt production.

Sheen recently failed to get full custody of his young sons after his former wife alleged that he was abusive and violent. The judge overseeing the case between Warner Brothers Studios and Charlie Sheen has remanded the case before an arbitrator. Believing that Sheen has not been able to provide enough proof to substantiate his claims, a court sanctioned arbitrator has now been hired to see if the Sheen camp has filed a frivolous lawsuit. Both parties have a signed copy of the legally binding contract that Sheen entered into before starring in ‘Two and a Half Men.’