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Focuses on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's lawsuit against Modern Times Group (MTG) to stop MTG's distribution of an American version of its European subway papers, `Metro,' in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Potential impact of the lawsuit on MTG's attempt to launch the paper in other cities; Comment by Floyd Weintraub, vice president of Metro International North America.

The article stresses that the patent-infringement lawsuit Goss International Americas versus Graphic Management Associates (GMA) et al. in the U.S. has generated an excessive number of legal papers. The lawsuit started with a dispute over the variable speed signature collating apparatus in shaftless servo-drive (SLS) series inserters patented by GMA. Special master Robert L. Harmon, who was assigned to deal with motions and cross-motions to make recommendations for summary judgments, concluded that the motions and cross-motions must be denied.

Reports on David Danforth's lawsuit against James Pavelich and David Price, his partners in the `Palo Alto Daily News' newspaper. Allegations that Pavelich and Price diverted revenue to themselves; Suppression of stories that might hurt potential advertisers; Accusation that Danforth was unfairly removed from the paper's management team.

Recalls the Pentagon Papers issue, which is about the First Amendment rights of the press versus the security threat resulting from the publication of classified government material, that happened in 1971. Background of the legal case; Handling of the `Washington Post' legal case by William Glendon of Rogers & Well; Glendon's defense strategy; Decision of the case in press' favor.

Reports that Fort Wayne, Indiana `Journal-Gazette' has been ordered to pay damages to Bandido restaurant because of an innacurate headline. Bandido's Inc.'s suit against the paper regarding a headline claiming that a health inspector's report showed evidence of rodents instead of rats; Paper's follow up story including a retraction and apology; Bandido's refusal to accept the second story.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by the `Orange County Register,' publisher Freedom Communications Inc. in Irvine, California against an employee for operating a negative Web site after it subpoenaed AOL to reveal the employee's identity. Background on the case; Claims made by the paper regarding the site's effect on other employees; Questions raised concerning the application of the First Amendment in the case.

The article discusses the court case Wang v. "Chinese Daily News" wherein the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that journalists at the newspaper are not exempt from overtime pay. About 200 employees were part of the class-action lawsuit filed in 2004, who claimed they were forced to work 12-hour shifts often without meal breaks. Attorneys involved estimate it will cost the newspaper 5.2 million dollars.

Reports on US District Judge Gladys Kessler's ruling that the Minneapolis, Minnesota `Star Tribune' newspaper does not have to surrender information on gubernatorial candidate Jon Grunseth's involvement in a sex scandal. Claims made by Grunseth against the paper; Reasons cited by Kessler.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by employees of Virginia-based American Bank & Trust Co. against the company due to its failure to sell the stocks of its newspaper `Danville Register & Bee' to anybody but an employee stock ownership plan. Employees' claim of the bank's failure to execute the owner's wish.

Reports on a New York State appeals court's overturning of a libel award against a Queens weekly a year after it closed down as a result of the suit. Background on the case filed by Steven Kaplansky against Rockaway Press; Freeze of publisher John Baxter's assets; Grounds for appeal of case.

Presents a legal point of view on overtime compensation for newspaper reporters. Newspaper exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Examination of the FLSA small newspaper clause by the United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in the case Reich versus Gateway Press Inc.; FLSA's executive, administrative and professional employee exemption.

Reports that the Casper, Wyoming, `Star-Tribune' newspaper is challenging a federal magistrate's order that it turn over to Amoco Corp. negatives of unpublished photographs of pollution on the North Platte River. Lawsuit filed by a group of property owners against Amoco seeking damages for ground water pollution.

Reports on a ruling by a Workers' Compensation board which states that a newspaper carrier struck by a car is not entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Reversal of an earlier decision by Workers' Compensation Judge James Monen ordering the `Fremont Tribune' newspaper to pay 12-year-old Jennifer Larson who was hit by a car and suffered severe brain damage.

Reports on Norco, Southern California's filing of a lawsuit against the publisher of `Norco News' for allegedly harming the health and reputation of city official Michael Kulick. Publisher Lucille Oliva and writer Lois Loock as defendants; Oliva's reputation as a journalist; Background on Oliva's encounter with Kulick which happened in the latter's animal shelter; Other claims made against Oliva.

Reports that two Colorado newspaper fell victim to a hoaxter who put out a press release that a sexual harassment lawsuit was about to be filed against the owners of two radio stations. Publication of stories in `The Aspen Times' and the `Glenwood Independent'; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's alleged lawsuit against Colorado West Broadcasting Inc.; Accusations against an employee of the station.

Deals with the charges of `San Diego Union-Tribune' against the officials of the Poway Unified School District for suppressing information related to hazing incidents. Reason for the newspaper's interest on the information about the incident; Legality of the newspaper charges.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by the `Daily Nexus', University of California of Santa Barbara's campus paper, against Governor Pete Wilson and the University of California Board of Regents for allegedly violating the state's open meeting law. Board of Regents' roll back of affirmative action in admissions after private phone calls with Wilson; Demands in the suit.

Reports on an appeal made by Connecticut `Journal Inquirer' newspaper concerning a lower court decision that it should pay libel complainant Carla Woodcock $500,000 in settlement. Contention that the Connecticut constitution provides privilege for opinion; Need for the court to adopt a specific test for determining whether a statement is opinion; Claim on the lack of sufficient evidence.

Cites a court decision upholding a Connecticut newspaper's First Amendment right when it published an opinion column criticizing auditor James R. Crozier. Lawsuit against `Record-Journal' and editor and publisher Eliot C. White; Newspaper's audit of businesses in 1995.

Reports that the `San Jose Mercury News' has sued the city of Oakland and Alameda County for the release of financial documents on the projected impact of a $225 million deal. Prevention of public scrutiny of documents.

Reports on the decision by Trenton, New Jersey Judge Charles A. Delehey to pick a jury from another county to prevent a biased ruling on a murder case against Ambrose A. Harris due to residents' exposure to invectives published by local newspaper ` The Trentonian.' Rejection of a defense motion for a change of venue.

Reports on the granting of rights to the Riverside, California `Press-Enterprise' newspaper to see the transcript of grand jury proceedings in a rape-murder case that indicted David Lynn Scott in April 1993. Portion of transcript withhold; State law's provision requiring grand juries to unseal their transcripts; Constitution's prohibition of secrecy in grand juries' meetings.

Announces that Clay County, Minnesota District Judge Thomas Stringer has ruled in favor of the Fargo, North Dakota `Forum' newspaper in an age discrimination lawsuit brought by a former reporter Chester Gerbert. Gerbert's allegations that Forum Communications Inc. terminated him because of his age; Other allegations cited by the suit.

Reports on the legal challenge to California's shield law by a judge seeking `Oakland Tribune' newspaper photographer Ron Riesterer's unpublished pictures of a demonstration in Berkeley. Riesterer's reasons for not surrendering the photographs despite being charged with contempt; Other cases which tested the state's law.

Reports on the request made by five newspapers covering the Connecticut murder trial of Kennedy family member, Michael Skakel, directed towards Judge Maureen Dennis for the opening of court records related to the case, including an affidavit used to obtain an arrest warrant.

Presents a round-up of news about United States newspapers, as of October 2000. Job cuts at 'The Los Angeles Times'; General assessment increase for the members of the Associated Press; Lawsuit against Gannett Co.; Debut of Nashville, Tennessee newspaper 'City's Paper.'

Reports on convicted rapist David James Robinson's lawsuit against the `The San Diego Union-Tribune' newspaper based in San Diego, California for portraying him as a child molester. Libel and slander allegations against the newspaper and San Diego County, California sheriff Bill Kolender; Conviction of Robinson in 1983 in rape cases where minors were not involved.

Reports that `Union-News' newspaper's lawsuit seeking information about a settlement between officials in Springfield, Massachusetts and a traffic accident victim has ended. Disclosure by the city of the amount of settlement that the family of Benjamin Schoolfield got from the city; Judge Peter A. Velis' ruling that the newspaper was entitled to the information.

Reports that `The Plain Dealer' newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio has settled a libel suit from former United States Representative Mary Rose Oakar. Newspaper series that led to the libel suit; Comments from a lawyer representing the newspaper; Background on Oakar.

Reports on a court's ruling that a California law allowing private citizens to get quick dismissal of frivolous libel suits also protects newspapers. Law's purpose to counter the Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation; Dismissal of a libel suit against several reporters from the `San Francisco Chronicle' and the Chronicle Publishing Company.

Reports that the contempt charge filed against `West County Times' reporter Martha Ross has been dropped. Refusal of Ross to tell prosecutors what she saw at a party for reputed gang members; District Attorney Gary Yancey's effort to force Ross to testify about unpublished information; Protection under the California shield law.

Cites a court ruling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that a newspaper cannot be sued over alleged discriminatory housing advertisements. Decision considered a victory for `Main Line Times'; Lawsuit brought against newspaper by Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia.

Reports that a district judge has permitted the release of secret Police Commission transcripts of its 1993 probe into allegations that Police Chief Tony Ribera repeatedly harassed Police Officer Joan Welsh. Lawsuit filed by Welsh against Ribera; San Francisco newspapers' support on the lawsuit; Opposition of Mayor Frank Jordan and the Police Commission on the opening of the transcripts.

Reports on the overturning of a libel suit against the `St. George Daily Spectrum,' by the Supreme Court of the state of Utah. Granting of more freedom to the press by the state constitution compared to that allowed by the First Amendment; Filing of the lawsuit against the newspaper by La Verkin mayor Terry West in connection with three columns published in the `Spectrum'.

Focuses on the lawsuit filed by John Woods, editor of the periodical `Canyon Call' at the Santa Clarita Community College in Los Angeles County, California, against student body president Allison Korse after an insert attacking the paper's editorial was slipped into copies of the paper in campus racks. Discouraging of readers from voting for an Associated Student Government (ASG) ballot.

Focuses on the gender bias suit filed by theater critic Jayne Blanchard against former employer `The Saint Paul Pioneer Press.' Reason for dismissal given by the newspaper; Double standard disciplinary policy; Conflict of interest.

Presents news briefs related to journalism in the United States, as of August 28, 2000. California Supreme Court's upholding of a lower court's decision overturning the contempt-of-court finding against `Marin Independent Journal' reporter Dan Fost; MediaNews Group Inc.'s defense of `The Denver Post' newspaper's nondisclosure of finances; `Boston Globe' newspaper's temporarily replacement of columnist Jeff Jacoby.

Reports that Theodore Schultz, the graphics editor of the `Bradenton Herald' has been charged with 82 counts of sex crimes against children. Resulting dispute between the `Herald' and the Bradenton, Fla. Police Department; Basis of the firing of Schultz from the `Herald.'

Reports on the `San Francisco Bay Guardian's lawsuit against the city and county of San Francisco, California because a contractor allegedly removed nearly 50 ads from municipal buses. Seeking of reimbursement for money spent on the campaign; Alleged violation of the paper's rights and breaking of its contract for leasing advertising space.

The article addresses the plagiarism issue in the U.S. journalism sector. A defamation suit was filed by columnist Steve Penn against "The Kansas City Star" and its owner McClatchy Newspapers Inc. for firing him over a plagiarism issue. It notes that public trust to newspapers is violated when they publish press releases verbatim without attribution. It also notes the implication of Penn's lawsuit for the credibility of the newspaper.

Discusses Journal Communications Inc.'s settlement of a libel suit filed by former Clay County, Florida commissioner Charles R. Griffin and his wife Melissa against `Clay Today,' a Florida community paper published by the chain's Add Inc. subsidiary. Aspects of the lawsuit stemming from false child abuse complaint against Griffin; Apology made by the paper.

Focuses on the persistence of territorial exclusivity among newspapers in the United States. Lawsuit filed by `Daily Herald' against Chicago, Illinois, dailies, on the publication of syndicated features; Suit filed by `Oakland Tribune' against the `San Francisco Chronicle' and `Examiner' for violation of antitrust law by holding exclusive rights to syndicated features.

Reports on football player James Stewart's lawsuit against `The New York Times' newspaper for libel over a report that he failed a National Football League (NFL) drug test. Paper's report on Miami defensive tackle Warren Sapp's failure in the cocaine and marijuana tests; NFL's rebuttal to the report; Damages sought by Stewart from the paper.

Reports on N.C.S. Inc. founder and Chief Executive Officer Fred Fazzio's filing of lawsuit against his two former employees Gary Hickey and Jimmie Grotevant and their company, Peregrine Technologies Inc. Fazzio's request for the court to stop the defendants from using or disclosing N.C.S. trade secrets; Demand for actual and punitive damages plus interest and litigation costs.

This section offers news briefs on legal cases filed. The "New York Times" is suing the U.S. government for asserting that its interpretation of the Patriot Act is classified information and should not be revealed. The "MaineToday Media" is facing a lawsuit for a sum of money for unpaid bills to a paper company. Utah's largest newspaper "Salt Lake Tribune" was charged with false reporting that maligned Salt Lake County prosecutor Michaela Andruzzi and caused her demotion.

This section offers news briefs on newspaper industry in the U.S. "The Contributor" newspaper filed a lawsuit against Brentwood, Tennessee aimed at preventing the local police from ticketing homeless people who sell the paper. The "State Journal-Register" newspaper filed a lawsuit against the University of Illinois in an attempt to obtain records of women's softball coaches who were forced to resign in 2009. An anonymous woman filed a libel lawsuit against the "New York Post" newspaper.

Reports the lawsuit filed by Tina McCarthy against unsolicited newspapers from Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Effort to stop the total-market-coverage product of the newspaper company; Complaint of residents against the unsolicited papers; Schedule of the hearing for the case.

Reports that the publisher of 'The Day' newspaper has filed a lawsuit against the city government of New London, Connecticut, after local officials ordered the removal of newspaper-delivery tubes placed in front of subscribers' homes. Publisher's contention that the city government's move violated the paper's right to press freedom; Comments from city officials regarding the matter at issue.

Reports on the impact of the legal controversy between the `San Francisco Chronicle' and `San Francisco Examiner' on the newspaper publishing industry of San Francisco, California. Accelerated plans of the `San Jose Mercury News' to publish a zoned edition; Joint marketing and distribution deal launched by Knight Ridder and the `Los Angeles Times.'

Reports on a court decision in Boulder, Colorado reducing the amount of damages that the `Daily Camera' newspaper has been asked to pay a former reporter who sued for defamation and invasion of privacy. Jury verdict awarding $115,000 to reporter Alli Krupski reduced to $60,000; Judge Morris Sandstead's refusal to rule on the newspaper's lawsuit against Krupski for replevin.