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Texas family sues distributor after teen cheerleader's death linked to Alani Nu energy drinks
3 hours ago•Source: FOX 26 Houston
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1.695 min•10 days ago
Court Halts Trump’s Public Media Funding Order as Unconstitutional
A Washington federal judge blocked parts of Trump’s 2025 executive order to defund NPR and PBS, ruling the move unconstitutional retaliation that violated the First Amendment press freedoms; the injunction prevents the funding cuts while NPR and PBS pursue their lawsuit.
11.685 min•11 days ago
Court sends Colorado’s conversion‑therapy ban back for strict-scrutiny review
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Birthright Citizenship in the Supreme Court Crosshairs
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Colorado Moves to Ban Personal-Data-Based Pricing
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Fulton County seeks return of seized 2020 ballots in court battle
A Georgia judge heard Fulton County’s bid to reclaim seized 2020 ballots in a dispute with the Trump administration, after FBI agents removed the materials as part of a federal review; the case centers on custody of the ballots and is continuing in Fulton County.
Supreme Court shields ISPs from subscriber music piracy liability
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that internet service providers aren’t liable for copyright infringement committed by subscribers unless the provider directly intended or actively encouraged the piracy, applying the Grokster framework to Cox Communications’ multi-year case. Cox, which serves about six million subscribers, had faced a $1 billion damages verdict that was overturned on appeal; the decision narrows ISP liability to cases of active involvement rather than mere knowledge that infringement will occur.
Supreme Court narrows ISP liability in music-piracy ruling
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Cox Communications cannot be held liable for copyright infringement by its subscribers in Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment, reversing the Fourth Circuit. The Court said an internet service provider is liable only if it intends the service to be used for infringement, and Cox’s deterrence steps (warnings, suspensions, terminations) supported this view. The original $1 billion damages verdict was not reinstated, and while Justices Sotomayor and Jackson concurred with the outcome, they disagreed with the reasoning. The Trump administration supported Cox, and the decision narrows the scope of secondary liability for ISPs.
SCOTUS narrows secondary liability for ISPs in music-piracy case
The Supreme Court ruled that Cox Communications cannot be held contributorily liable for copyright infringements by its customers, saying the service was not intended to enable infringement and that liability should not exceed prior jurisprudence. Justices Sotomayor and Jackson concurred in judgment but warned the ruling narrows liability inconsistent with precedent; their concurrence highlights procedural nuance. The decision reverses a 2024 Fourth Circuit ruling in Sony’s suit over pirated songs by Cox customers from 2013–2014, which sought over $1 billion in damages. Cox framed the ruling as a victory and the RIAA expressed disappointment, as the case progressed from district court to appellate court and finally to the Supreme Court, with oral arguments held previously. The ruling signals ISPs are not copyright police and should not be treated as arbiters of internet access based on speech.
Cosby hit with $59 million verdict in California civil case over 1972 assault
A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding a total of $59.25 million: $17.5 million in past damages, $1.75 million for future damages, and $40 million in punitive damages, after a two-week Santa Monica trial. Cosby’s lawyers said they will appeal. Motsinger described finally being heard after decades, as the case adds to the wave of #MeToo-era scrutiny surrounding Cosby and parallels earlier lawsuits and his overturned Pennsylvania conviction.
New Mexico Jury Blames Meta for Harm to Kids, Signals Big Penalty
A New Mexico jury ruled that Meta’s platforms harmed children’s mental health and violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act, finding thousands of violations and unconscionable practices tied to child safety and addiction, potentially totaling $375 million in penalties with a second phase to decide remedies.
Cosby hit with nearly $60 million civil damages for 1972 assault
A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding $59.25 million in damages—including $17.5 million for past harms, $1.75 million for future harms, and $40 million in punitive damages—with Cosby planning to appeal.
Cosby found liable in 1972 rape case, ordered to pay $19.25 million
A Santa Monica jury found Bill Cosby liable in the 1972 drugging and rape of former waitress Donna Motsinger, awarding about $19.25 million in damages ($17.5 million for past trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering); Cosby testified he could not remember the encounter and maintained his innocence.
Cosby civil verdict awards $19.2M to accuser in decades-old case
A Southern California civil jury awarded Donna Motsinger $19.2 million in a 2023 lawsuit accusing Bill Cosby of sexually abusing her in 1972; punitive damages are pending. Cosby denies the allegations, and related lawsuits and a Pennsylvania conviction that was overturned remain part of the broader saga.
New York's Cash-Payment Law Begins Saturday With Key Exemptions
New York's cash-payment law takes effect this Saturday, requiring stores to accept cash with notable exemptions: bills over $20 may be refused; cash need not be accepted for orders placed by phone, mail, or the internet unless the purchase is completed in-store; and stores that convert cash to prepaid cards are exempt.