USA Archive - Law Commentary

A woman wearing a black hat and glasses poses in front of an abstract background.

Appeals Court Rules Andy Warhol Foundation Broke Copyright Laws in Use of Celeb Photographer’s Prince Photograph

Celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith is probably partying like it’s still 1999. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a controversial 2019 New York Federal Court’s ruling that the Andy Warhol Foundation’s usage of Goldsmith’s copyrighted Prince photograph was legal. The high-profile photographer to the stars won her copyright lawsuit on... Read More about Appeals Court Rules Andy Warhol Foundation Broke Copyright Laws in Use of Celeb Photographer’s Prince Photograph

A hand holding a smartphone displaying "RIDESHARE" in a busy urban street at night, with blurred car lights and buildings in the background.

The Long and Winding Road That Turned California Rideshare Drivers Into Independent Contractors

The people have spoken. App-based drivers in California are independent contractors and not employees. People who drive for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash or any of the other innumerable transportation network or delivery network companies in the Golden State are not entitled to worker protections and benefits such as overtime pay, meal... Read More about The Long and Winding Road That Turned California Rideshare Drivers Into Independent Contractors

A man in a blue suit sitting at a table with his hands clasped, looking directly at the camera.

Professor Can Seek Damages after Refusing to Use a Student’s Preferred Pronouns

The Sixth Circuit Court has ruled that a professor at the Shawnee State University can not be compelled to call students by their preferred pronouns. The decision comes after professor Nicholas Meriwether had a back and forth with university officials regarding a student who was referred to only as “Doe''... Read More about Professor Can Seek Damages after Refusing to Use a Student’s Preferred Pronouns

Chris Hogan seated at a desk with a laptop and a coffee cup, hosting a segment of The Dave Ramsey Show.

Dave Ramsey Personality Leaves Talk Show Amid Lawsuit Investigation

A top radio personality, Chris Hogan, of the popular personal finance radio show, The Dave Ramsey Show, has been let go from the show amid a federal lawsuit against the company. Hogan's sudden departure raises new questions about double standards in a federal lawsuit filed against the company in 2020.... Read More about Dave Ramsey Personality Leaves Talk Show Amid Lawsuit Investigation

Groups of people practicing yoga outdoors on mats in a park.

Alabama Ban on Yoga in Schools

Yoga has been banned in Alabama schools since 1993 when conservative groups convinced the Alabama Board of Education that yoga should not be allowed in schools because of its Hindu roots. The language of the regulation said that “The State Board of Education specifically prohibits the use of hypnosis and... Read More about Alabama Ban on Yoga in Schools

Teenager in red prison attire and a mask appearing in court following a hacking conviction.

High School Teen Sentenced To 3 Years for Hacking Celebrity Twitter Accounts in Bitcoin Scam

A brilliant yet criminally savvy Tampa high-school teenager was convicted of hacking numerous celebrity Twitter accounts in 2020 in an attempt to get over $100,000 in Bitcoin. This high-profile case includes the hacked social media accounts of some of the most well-known celebrities globally, plus numerous U.S. presidents and global... Read More about High School Teen Sentenced To 3 Years for Hacking Celebrity Twitter Accounts in Bitcoin Scam

A woman speaking at a podium during a voting event, advocating for civic engagement and addressing community issues.

Atlanta’s Buckhead Neighborhood Is Exploring Secession Because of Rising Violence

Buckhead, a neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, is known for its mansions and classy malls. But when a woman pulled into her driveway after work one night, two men were at her car door. One threw her to the ground, put a weapon to her head, and said he was going... Read More about Atlanta’s Buckhead Neighborhood Is Exploring Secession Because of Rising Violence

Exterior view of the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, featuring grand columns and entrance stairs.

Utah LDS Church Faces Lawsuit for Misusing Members’ Donations

James Huntsman, the brother of Utah’s former governor, Jon Huntsman, is suing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on grounds that the organization used donation money to finance their for-profit ventures. Huntsman’s lawsuit explains that the LDS Corporation “dishonestly and fraudulently placed its own commercial financial interests above... Read More about Utah LDS Church Faces Lawsuit for Misusing Members’ Donations

Courtroom scene from the trial of Derek Chauvin, with lawyers and a witness present.

Derek Chauvin’s Trial - Day One

On day one of Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd, new information was introduced. Instead of the 8 minutes, 46 seconds the world had assumed was the duration that Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck, prosecutors say it was actually 9 minutes, 29 seconds — 43 seconds... Read More about Derek Chauvin’s Trial - Day One

A giraffe named Stanley looking out from his enclosure at Saddlerock Ranch, amid ongoing legal issues involving his owners.

Stanley the Giraffe Becomes Evidence in Criminal Case Against Semler Family

Stanley the Giraffe, star of the silver screen and locally-beloved attraction, has now been officially classified as evidence in a case being prosecuted by the District Attorney of Los Angeles County. Criminal charges against the Semler family, the owners of Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California, have resulted in Stanley being... Read More about Stanley the Giraffe Becomes Evidence in Criminal Case Against Semler Family

Demonstrators hold signs advocating for the legalization of marijuana and community reinvestment in New York.

New York gets closer on deal to legalize recreational marijuana and reinvest the sales tax into minority communities

New York legislators inched closer to sealing a deal with the office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week to legalize recreational marijuana and expand the current medical marijuana program in the state. Democrats are hopeful the law could pass as early as next week as a stand-alone bill outside... Read More about New York gets closer on deal to legalize recreational marijuana and reinvest the sales tax into minority communities

A close-up image of U.S. Treasury checks and two $100 bills on a blue background.

Stimulus Bill Money, Loan Forgiveness, Financial Aid and Student Loans in Bankruptcy

When Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislation, he was also approving about $40 billion in funds for higher education. Provisions were included for student loan forgiveness and financial aid. The provisions were targeted at schools with small endowments and large quantities of Pell Grant recipients. Funds are intended... Read More about Stimulus Bill Money, Loan Forgiveness, Financial Aid and Student Loans in Bankruptcy

A group of women standing together at a press conference advocating for survivors' rights, with a banner reading "Justice for Survivors" in front of them.

U.S.C. Settles Sex Abuse Case for $1.1 Billion in Biggest Payout in Higher Education History

University of Southern California (U.S.C.) is paying out a staggering $1.1 billion settlement to 710 female patients of a campus gynecologist accused of sex abuse, George Tyndall. This payout is the largest sex abuse settlement and payout in the history of higher education. U.S.C. attorneys announced the gigantic settlement in... Read More about U.S.C. Settles Sex Abuse Case for $1.1 Billion in Biggest Payout in Higher Education History

Mark Zuckerberg testifying before Congress regarding misinformation on Facebook.

Facebook, Twitter Face Congress as 12 States Urge Tech Giants to Stop Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation

Twelve Attorneys General have called upon two of the nation's biggest tech giants, Facebook and Twitter, in a letter to address concerns over anti-vaxxer users of their platforms who are spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. In the letter drafted by Connecticut Attorney General, William Tong, Twitter's Jack Dorsey and Facebook's... Read More about Facebook, Twitter Face Congress as 12 States Urge Tech Giants to Stop Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaking at a press conference, with deputies in the background.

More Defendants Added to Lawsuit Targeting Alleged Gang of LA County Sheriffs’ Deputies

A group of eight Los Angeles County Sheriffs’ Deputies have amended their civil rights and workplace harassment lawsuit filed against fellow deputies to include another 47 members of the Sheriff’s department. The addition of these defendants marks a significant expansion of the suit, which was initially filed against only four... Read More about More Defendants Added to Lawsuit Targeting Alleged Gang of LA County Sheriffs’ Deputies