The speed and severity by which the global health crisis has impacted businesses and individuals is unprecedented. Businesses have closed, events have been cancelled, and even the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed until 2021. What happens to all those who cannot...
HOUSTON BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL LAW BLOG
Elements of a business disparagement claim.
A good business reputation is vitally important as consumers often make decisions based on reputation alone. Recently, Phoneternet, LLC d/b/a Maestro ("Maestro") asserted a business disparagement claim against LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Inc. ("Lexis") for allegedly...
Non-compete dispute for Texas boiler business
Employees acquire valuable information about your business, and firsthand knowledge of its operations, during the course of their employment. Moreover, employers often invest significant resources to educate and train their employees. How can a business protect itself...
Celebrity chef files breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty suit
Chef Paul Qui, a Texas-based James Beard award recipient and winner of the ninth season of "Top Chef" recently filed suit against his former business partners for allegedly swindling him out of his earnings and sabotaging the progress of his new Miami hotel...
Trucking company sues Amazon over the use of “Prime” on freight trailers
Prime, Inc. is one of the nation's largest trucking companies. On July 2nd, Prime filed a trademark infringement action against Amazon for using the word "Prime" on its commercial vehicles. Prime Inc. alleges that Amazon's use of its Amazon Prime logo has caused...
Dismissal of Blue Bell shareholder claim reversed
A stockholder suit against Blue Bell Creameries is getting a second chance at trial, thanks to the Delaware Supreme Court. Originally filed in 2017, the complaint by shareholders alleged mismanagement by executives after the 2015 listeria outbreak linked to Blue Bell...
Businesses sue San Antonio over paid sick leave ordinance
Last year, San Antonio joined the Austin in passing a law requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. Last week, business owners fought back. A coalition of business groups filed a lawsuit alleging that the city ordinance, which is set to take effect on August 1,...
ADT awarded $4 million in deceptive trade practices suit
A jury in the Southern District of Florida awarded security firm ADT $4 million in damages in the culmination of its deceptive trade practices lawsuit against Alder Holdings, Inc. ADT's dispute with Alder dates back to around 2012 when ADT first accused Alder of...
Shareholder dispute puts century-old trust in the spotlight
The Texas Pacific Land Trust, a 130-year-old trust holding over 900,000 acres of land in the Texas oil and gas basin, has become the center of a high-profile shareholder fight in recent months. Unusual governing structure leads to tensions Since the 1880s, the Texas...
Lawsuit marks new territory for TCPA
British chemical company Venator Materials PLC (Venator) moved to dismiss a series of federal securities class action claims pursuant to the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA). Investors allege Venator misled investors about the impact of a fire at one of its...
