Howrey

1. Alcon Shareholder Drops Bid To Block Novartis Deal

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

A New York foundation that holds stock in Alcon Inc. has agreed to voluntarily dismiss its putative class action accusing Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG and Nestle AG of violating federal securities law through the sale of Nestle's shares in Alcon.

2. Intel Can't Escape N-Data Indirect Infringement Claims

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

The federal judge overseeing Intel Corp.'s bid to invalidate four Negotiated Data Solutions LLC network data transmission patents has concluded that while Intel is licensed to use the patents-in-suit, the licenses may not protect Intel against all acts of indirect infringement.

3. Covington Lifts Associate Salary Freeze In Calif.

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

Covington & Burling LLP has reportedly lifted its salary freeze for associates in its California locations, but kept the lid in place for those working at its Washington, D.C. office.

4. Mosaid Sues LSI, Agere Over Patent Assignment Deal

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

Mosaid Technologies Inc. has fired off a breach of contract suit against LSI Corp. and Agere Systems Inc., claiming they have violated a 2007 patent assignment agreement over wireless technology.

5. When It Pays To Say No To Legal Work

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

In a market where the demand for legal work has taken a hit, it can be tempting for an attorney — or an entire law firm — to branch into new practices areas or accept undesirable work. But doing so purely to fill the office coffers could damage both the firm's reputation and its bottom line in the long run, according to industry insiders.

6. Howrey Starts 'Task Force' For False Ad Claims

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

Howrey LLP said Wednesday it has formed an advertising litigation task force to capitalize on an “onslaught” of cases involving allegations of unfair competition, consumer protection violations and other false advertising claims.

7. Heartland Ends Payment Processing Antitrust Case

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

Heartland Payment Systems Inc. has resolved a case alleging rival Chase Paymentech Solutions LLC and others engaged in an anti-competitive scheme to corner the payment processing market in the restaurant industry.

8. Innovative Recycling Cos. Battle Pollution Exclusions

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

Despite environmentally friendly aims, companies that recycle waste by converting it into products — turning tires into mulch or turkey offal into biodiesel, for instance — may find themselves on the hook for pollution claims even if they take out liability policies and alert insurers as to the nature of their business, attorneys and insurance brokers say.

9. Fish, Novak Druce Pick Up Darby & Darby Attys

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

The imminent dissolution of intellectual property boutique Darby & Darby PC has been a boon for law firms looking to bolster their IP practices, with two more — Fish & Richardson PC and Novak Druce & Quigg LLP — announcing plans to take on castaways.

10. DOJ Scrutinizes $5.5B Baker Hughes, BJ Merger

Monday, Mar 15, 2010

While oil and gas services heavyweight Baker Hughes Inc. is eager to close its $5.5 billion acquisition of BJ Services Co., the deal has yet to receive antitrust approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, raising concerns about potential hang-ups over the companies’ overlapping businesses.

11. Antitrust Claims Cut From Philips, Masimo IP Spat

Friday, Mar 12, 2010

A federal judge has split the pulse oximeter dispute between Masimo Corp. and Philips Electronics North America Corp. into two parts, allowing patent infringement claims to move forward while placing Philips' antitrust counterclaims on the back burner.

12. Google, Yahoo Don't Infringe Search Patent: Judge

Friday, Mar 12, 2010

A circuit court judge has ruled that Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. have not infringed a PA Advisors LLC patent for Internet search software, paving the way for the technology giants to exit a lawsuit that targeted 13 Web-based companies and online advertising providers.

13. Howrey’s Latest Round Of Cuts Targets Partners

Thursday, Mar 11, 2010

Struggling to bounce back from a steep 35 percent decline in profits per equity partner last year, Howrey LLP is planning to cut loose up to 30 partners mainly from its U.S. offices.

14. Decision Boosts Illustrations' Role In Patent Cases

Thursday, Mar 11, 2010

The Federal Circuit’s clarification of the “ordinary observer” test may bolster design patent holders’ ability to prove infringement, say Bobby Ghajar and Mark L. Blake of Howrey LLP.

15. GlaxoSmithKline Infringes Antibody Patent: Genentech

Thursday, Mar 11, 2010

Genentech Inc. has fired back in a suit brought by GlaxoSmithKline PLC seeking to invalidate one of the biotechnology company's antibody patents, insisting that the drugmaker has committed infringement through the sale of cancer treatment Arzerra.

16. Biovail Targets Paddock Over Aplenzin ANDA

Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010

Biovail Laboratories International SRL has shot off a patent infringement suit against Paddock Laboratories Inc. over its plans to market a generic version of the antidepressant Aplenzin.

17. Enviro Firm, Insurer Settle Fordham Coverage Spat

Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010

Environmental consulting firm AKRF Inc. has settled a dispute with American Safety Casualty Insurance Co. over an insurance claim related to a lawsuit brought by Fordham University against the firm over advice about the disposal of contaminated soil.

18. Howrey Int'l Dispute Team Jumps To Chadbourne

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010

Chadbourne & Parke LLP has expanded its international dispute resolution practice to its London office with the addition of a team from Howrey LLP led by partner Melanie Willems, who has experience in the technology and energy sectors, among others.

19. WTC Leasee Wants Cut Of Insurer Settlement

Thursday, Mar 04, 2010

The company that leased the World Trade Center weeks before it was destroyed in the Sept. 11 attacks is seeking a substantial portion of a settlement agreement that resolved a dispute pitting its property insurers against United Air Lines Inc., American Airlines Inc. and others.

20. Extradition Battle Boosts US Anti-Cartel Powers

Wednesday, Mar 03, 2010

U.S. competition regulators are on the brink of securing their first extradition linked to an antitrust case, a victory that would further boost their reputation for aggressive enforcement and sharpen a key weapon in their cartel-fighting arsenal.