Court Roundup

Utah Trial begins in Utah in lawsuit against Microsoft SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A legal blame game between high-tech industry giants Novell, Inc. and Microsoft Corp. is under way in a Salt Lake City federal court as the companies squabble over fair business practices. The Provo-based Novell sued Microsoft in 2004, claiming the company violated U.S. antitrust laws through its arrangements with other computer makers when it launched Windows 95. The Deseret News reports a jury heard opening statements in the U.S. District Court lawsuit on Tuesday. The trial is predicted to last eight weeks. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is expected to testify. Novell contends Microsoft's use of deceptive, bait-and-switch practices left them unable to gain a foothold in the emerging home computer software market. Microsoft attorneys argue that the company had operated fairly in a competitive marketplace. Pennsylvania Mylan settles lawsuit over contraceptive Femcon FE CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Generic drugmaker Mylan Inc. became the latest company to settle litigation with Warner Chilcott PLC over generic versions of the oral contraceptive Femcon Fe. Mylan, based in Canonsburg, Pa., said Wednesday settlement details were confidential but it can start selling a generic version of the chewable tablets once it receives regulatory approval. The drug had U.S. sales totaling $44 million in the 12 months that ended June 30. Last year, Warner Chilcott, based in Ireland, settled a lawsuit over Femcon with India-based Lupin Ltd., which also is authorized to sell a version of Femcon in the United States. Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. also have reached agreements with Warner Chilcott, permitting them to sell generic versions of Femcon. Shares of Mylan fell 8 cents to $17.47 in Wednesday morning trading, while broader trading indexes started off slightly. U.S.-traded shares of Warner Chilcott rose 19 cents to $16.53, Watson Pharmaceuticals fell 47 cents to $67.32 and Teva was down 14 cents to $39.31. Montana Man settles lawsuit against Livingston police BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) -- A man who suffered a broken neck after twice falling off a bench at the city-county detention center in Livingston in May 2009 has settled a lawsuit against three law enforcement agencies and the arresting officer. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports William Meigs reached a settlement Friday with Livingston and Park County. County officials say the amount will not be released until the county's insurance company approves the deal. Gallatin County paid $5,000. Meigs had been seeking nearly $500,000 for medical bills and other damages. Meigs was arrested in Livingston on a Gallatin County warrant for failing to attend a drug treatment program on a misdemeanor marijuana conviction. Meigs' lawsuit alleged he told arresting officers that his handcuffs were too tight and that he felt faint before he fell. North Dakota Former TV anchor files discrimination complaint FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- The lawyer for a longtime Fargo television anchor who quit earlier this week says his client has filed a federal age and gender discrimination complaint and is considering a lawsuit. Robin Huebner resigned her post at Valley News Live after more than 25 years at the station. That followed a decision to replace her on the 10 p.m. newscast with a younger female co-anchor. Huebner's lawyer, James Kaster, tells The Forum newspaper that the 51-year-old Huebner filed a complaint about a week ago with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Workers alleging employment discrimination must first file with the EEOC before turning to the courts. Station general manager Jim Wareham told viewers Tuesday that Huebner wasn't forced out and chose to take a pay cut. California Oakland to pay $1.7 million to suspect's family OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland city officials have agreed to pay $1.7 million to the family of a man who died from an alleged police beating. The City Council unanimously agreed to the settlement on Tuesday. The family of Jerry Amaro filed a civil rights lawsuit in 2009 claiming that Oakland police used excessive force when Amaro was arrested in March 2000 on suspicion of buying drugs. Amaro died a month later of complications from pneumonia and a punctured lung caused by five broken ribs. A federal judge ruled last year that Amaro's mother, Geraldine Montoya, and his sister, Stephanie Montoya, could proceed with their suit saying Oakland police "stonewalled" them by falsely saying Amaro had been attacked and killed by gang members. City officials had argued that the statute of limitations had expired. Published: Thu, Oct 20, 2011