In The News Today – August 8, 2014

MetLife Inc. on Tuesday settled prolonged litigation over allegations that a former employee sent mass faxes to potential customers. MetLife “vigorously disputes any liability” and says it is settling to avoid the “risks and uncertainties of litigation.” (Wall Street Journal)

Last week, U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch spoke on the Senate floor about the pressing need to pass a bill to stem the growing threat of “patent trolls.” He remarked that such legislation is among his “top priorities” next year. Sen. Hatch believes that “mandatory fee shifting is the best way to discourage patent litigation in cases where a plaintiff’s or defendant’s case is so weak tit should never have been brought in the first place. (Legal Newsline)