In the News Today – May 16, 2014

Judge George Hodges in Charlotte, NC has stayed the order on access to Rule 2019 findings in the Garlock Technology Sealings bankruptcy case, as an appeal by the Official Committee of Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants is still pending. (Legal Newsline)

U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., the chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has introduced legislation that he says will address, “illegitimate patent demand letters” and aims to protect businesses from “patent trolls.” (Law360 – subscription required)

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Human Society of the United States and additional “animal rights” groups have paid Feld Entertainment (producers of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus), “a combined $15.75 million to settle allegations by the company that the groups and their lawyers bribed a former circus employee to make up allegations that Feld abused elephants in its circus. FacesofLawsuitAbuse.org blogged about this settlement last year in a post titled, “Exit the Clowns, Send in the Elephants.”