Legal News Watch - Consumer Rights Blog

Entries from February 2004

Firestone Recalls 297,000 Tires Sold With Ford Excursions

February 27th, 2004 · 21 Comments

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire today announced that it is voluntarily recalling about 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires sold with Ford Excursion sport utility vehicles manufactured in 2000-2002 and some 2003 models.
The Steeltex Radial A/T tires, which were made in Canada, are in size LT265/75R16, Load Range D.
“In order to avoid any future problems, Firestone, in […]

Tags: Uncategorized

Howard Stern Taken Off the Air By Clear Channel

February 26th, 2004 · 12 Comments

Shock jock Howard Stern was taken off the air in six cities including San Diego today by Clear Channel Communications, the nation’s largest radio broadcaster, as part of a self-imposed crackdown on so-called “indecent content”, said the company.
“Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with regard to protecting our listeners from indecent content […]

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Bush Calls For Ban on Gay Marriage

February 25th, 2004 · No Comments

President Bush declared today his support for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, saying the union of a man and woman is the “most fundamental institution of civilization” and the “preservation of marriage” is an issue of “national importance.”
Bush called upon Congress to “promptly pass, and to send to the states for ratification, […]

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MPAA Wins DVD-Copying Case Against 321 Studios

February 21st, 2004 · No Comments

321 Studios must stop selling its DVD copying software, ruled Judge Susan Illston of the Northern District Federal Court for California. The ruling is a huge win for the Motion Picture Association of America and its members, which include Disney, Sony Pictures, MGM, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers.
Judge Illston found 321’s […]

Tags: DMCA

National Do-Not-Call List Upheld by U.S. Appeals Court

February 18th, 2004 · 1 Comment

The government does have the right to help consumers protect their homes against unwanted telemarketing calls, ruled a federal appeals court on Tuesday.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that national do-not-call list does not violate First Amendment rights. “The challenged regulations do not hinder any business’ ability to contact […]

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L.A. Archdiocese Reports On Sexual Abuse of Minors By Its Clergy

February 17th, 2004 · No Comments

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has had more allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy than any other U.S. diocese to date, according to a report released by the diocese.
The report, from Cardinal Roger Mahony, says the Los Angeles Archdiocese received allegations from 656 people who said they had been sexually abused […]

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Apple Faces Five Class-Action Lawsuits Over iPod

February 12th, 2004 · No Comments

Apple Computer faces five separate class-action lawsuits filed in various Northern California courts over its iPod digital music player, the company said in a regulatory filing.
The lawsuits claim that Apple misrepresented the iPod’s battery life. The suits include complaints of unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent concealment and breach of warranty.
The complaints seek unspecified damages, […]

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FDA Approves Alimta, First Drug for Mesothelioma

February 6th, 2004 · 1 Comment

The Food and Drug Administration today approved Alimta by Eli Lilly and Company for use in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma-a rare type of cancer. Alimta is the first drug approved for this condition.
Cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs […]

Tags: Asbestos and Mesothelioma

GMAC Agrees To Settle Racial-Bias Class-Action Lawsuit

February 3rd, 2004 · 4 Comments

General Motors Acceptance Corporation, the nation’s second-largest auto lender, said that it has reached a tentative agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit that claims the company discriminates against blacks by charging them higher interest rates for car loans.
A final settlement could be reached as early as next week.
Under the proposed agreement, GMAC would disclose more […]

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Class-Action Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse by Priests Moves Forward

February 2nd, 2004 · No Comments

The Associated Press reports that, “The nation’s first class-action lawsuit over sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests is moving forward in Kentucky, with plaintiffs lawyers expecting to represent as many as 500 people following a Saturday deadline.”.
(via The Associated Press)

Tags: Uncategorized