If Mike Could be Like Me

Jordan told reporters, “This shows I will protect my name to the fullest. It’s my name and I worked hard for it, and I’m not just going to let someone take it.”

According to Jordan’s attorneys, the use of his likeness for advertising should have been valued at roughly $10 million, whereas Dominick’s attorney Steven Mandel argued that the Jordan’s legal team is overvaluing the amount, and that the jury should award Jordan $126,900 for his likeness in the ad.


GSK Sells Rights to Autoimmune Drug to Novartis for up to $1 Billion

While the timing of the purchase is ideal in many respects for Novartis considering its portfolio and the pending loss of the gilenya patent, it is also timing that has some in the industry questioning the deal. Ocrelizumab is about two years ahead in development compared to ofatumumab, having completed two successful late-stage studies in June.


Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Labor Department and Home Care Workers

Calling it a “tremendous victory,” Sarah Leberstein, senior staff attorney for the National Employment Law Group said, “Paying workers less than the minimum wage for their work hours, and not paying an overtime premium after 40 hours a week benefits no one.” According to the advocacy group Caring Across Generations, domestic care is one of the U.S.’s lowest paying industry, with an average hourly wage of $9.61.


Will Class-Action Litigation of Ashley Madison Account Holders Succeed?

The second data dump comes after Biderman questioned the credibility of the hacker’s claims, with the Impact Team taunting him with a message regarding Thursday’s disclosure, “Hey Noel, you can admit it’s real now.” As reality does indeed set in for both ALM and the millions of users whose personal lives may be altered forever by the leak, sorting out legal liability in the matter will be messy.


Final Ex-Executives Plead Guilty over West Virginia Chemical Spill

Charleston U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said that his agency was focused on pursuing prison time for the former executives as a stronger deterrent than financial penalties. Goodwin said, “Executives are used to writing checks. It sends a stronger message if they have to trade their three-piece suits for a prison jumpsuit.”


Valeant Buys Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Maker of Just-Approved Female Libido Medication

Valeant’s purchase of Sprout will include $500 million cash up front as well as $500 million when the deal is closed, which is expected to be in early 2016. In addition, Valeant has agreed to give Sprout a portion of future revenues if certain milestones are met, although neither party would discuss specifics. Sprout CEO Cindy Whitehead will join Valeant and lead the division responsible for Addyi.


U.S PTO Proposes Substantial Rule Changes for Patent Law Litigation

The USPTO is taking the proposed rule changes on tour, conducting road shows entitled, “Enhancing Patent Quality and Conducting AIA Trials.” The office will be visiting Santa Clara, CA on August 24th, Dallas, TX on August 26th, and then conduct an exhibition at its home office in Alexandria VA on August 28.


DUMPED! Hackers Reveal Ashley Madison User Info Online

Although many have likely shrugged or scoffed upon hearing news of the data dump, the ramifications of the disclosures run far deeper than just major relationship troubles. Over 10,000 of the compromised email addresses had .gov extensions with an estimated 5,000 more having .mil (military) suffixes. Adultery is punishable up to a year in prison in the military and can lead to a pension-forfeiting dishonorable discharge.


Yelp Adds Reviews of Government Agencies on its Website

Justin Herman, who heads up the social media initiative within the GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, said “We’re moving into a world in which social media is the charge that fuels the circuit of collaborative public service.”


“Female Viagra” Drug, Flibanserin Approved by FDA on Third Attempt

Unlike its counterpart medications for male erectile dysfunction like Viagra or Cialis, Addyi will not be taken on an “as needed” basis. Citing differences in sexual function between men and women, clinical sex therapist Judy Kuriansky said, “Women’s sexuality is very complicated. It’s not a matter of just taking that pill, by the way, and then all of a sudden the lights go on.” Kuriansky added, “You have to feel good about your body. You have to feel good about yourself. You have to feel the guy really loves you. It’s complex.