Musk accused of ‘hijacking’ £5.5bn satellite deal
In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX demands the Commission “expeditiously review and rescind” a decision to green light a £5.5 billion merger between American company Viasat and Britain’s Inmarsat. SpaceX, which had unsuccesfully tried to block the takeover, claims Viasat is causing interference with its satellites and breaching its licensing conditions in a long-running row between the two companies. It says the regulator has “improperly” failed to consider its claims the first time and that the acquisition was “contrary to the public interest” because of Viasat’s “blatant disregard” for regulations. Viasat says the FCC had already found it “qualified to obtain licences” and that its rival’s latest assault was an attempt to “hijack” the takeover. It also accuses Musk of creating the risk of orbital collisions by launching thousands of small satellites.
These are old arguments that have been tried and failed before – the FCC expressly rejected them in clearing the acquisition. And they will certainly fail again. Our focus is on integrating Inmarsat’s assets and capabilities into the Viasat family to offer the innovative new services our customers want.
DOJ sues SpaceX for hiring discrimination
The U.S. Department of Justice sues SpaceX for discriminatory hiring practices, accusing the company of discouraging asylum seekers from applying to open positions and refusing to hire those who did. The complaint says SpaceX’s “routine, widespread, and longstanding” hiring practices “harmed asylees and refugees,” alleging that its job postings wrongly stated that only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents could apply. (Exactly which positions those were is unclear, but U.S. law protects asylees and refugees from hiring discrimination in general, regardless of their citizenship status.) After the investigation began, Musk tweeted:
US law requires at least a green card to be hired at SpaceX, as rockets are considered advanced weapons technology.
The DOJ says Musk was incorrect, however, and the tweet is being used as evidence in the suit.
Musk sues lawyers who represented Twitter against him
Arguing that the bill is too high, Musk sues the lawyers who represented Twitter (now “X Corp”) in its suit against him for trying to abandon his $44 billion takeover offer in 2022. (Filed in the Superior Court of California, the case is X Corp. v. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz [CGC-23-607461].) Hoping to get back part of the $90 million Twitter paid Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (WLRK), X Corp alleges that the law firm tried to “fundamentally alter its fee arrangement” toward the end of its representation of Twitter in order to get an “improper bonus payment in violation of its fiduciary and ethical obligations to its client.” The complaint says that the board had been surprised about the fees and alleges that the firm was “at the center of a spending spree” by Twitter’s departing executives. It says those executives:
ran up the tab at Twitter by, among other things, facilitating the improper payment of substantial gifts to preferred law firms like Wachtell on top of the firms’ full hourly billings by designating tens of millions of dollars in handouts to the firms as ‘success’ or ‘project’ fees.
Music publishers sue Twitter for $250m, citing Musk’s lax copyright stance
The National Music Publishers’ Association sues Twitter, on behalf of firms including Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management and Universal Music Publishing Group, in a US federal court in Tennessee, for more than $250m over bulk copyright infringement, citing Elon Musk’s tweets to argue that the company has deliberately stopped enforcing the rules. The suit says Twitter has not paid for a blanket licence allowing its users to upload copyrighted material, unlike TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. in 2023, The New York Times reported that talks had stalled over the $100m price tag and fallen apart since Musk bought the site. The suit names 17000 songs as having been infringed:
Twitter’s policies demonstrate that Twitter views itself, not the law, as the arbiter of what content is permitted on the Twitter platform. Despite claiming to take down tweets in response to an infringement notice within hours or minutes, Twitter routinely waits much longer before acting, if it acts at all. There are thousands of instances where Twitter waited 30 days or more to remove or disable access to the content identified.
According to the suit, Musk said copyright “goes absurdly far beyond protecting the original creator” and “overzealous” application of copyright laws “is a plague on humanity”. The plaintiffs:
This statement and others like it exert pressure on Twitter employees, including those in its trust and safety team, on issues relating to copyright and infringement
Conservationists sue FAA over SpaceX launches
Conservation groups sue the Federal Aviation Administration for approving expanded rocket launch operations by SpaceX without an environmental impact study (EIS), an extensive study that includes public review and can take years or decades to complete. The FAA approved the launches based on a far less thorough assessment and a finding that SpaceX activities at Boca Chica pose “no significant impact” on the environment.
The federal court lawsuit is filed in the District of Columbia by the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Save RGV (Rio Grand Valley), and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation. It says that explosion was only the latest in a series of at least nine that have occurred at Boca Chica in recent years and that the mishaps are disrupting a haven for protected wildlife and vital habitat for migratory birds. The plaintiffs are asking the court to vacate the finding of no significant impact and require a full EIS before any more launches occur.
This case concerns whether the nation’s commitment to preserving our critical wildlife habitat and treasured coastal landscapes must be sacrificed as we reach out to explore the cosmos.
Fired SpaceX employees file charges
Eight former SpaceX employees file unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging they were let go for being part of a group that had drafted and circulated a letter to SpaceX executives in June. The letter asked SpaceX executives for three things: to curb “Elon’s harmful Twitter behavior,” to define and enforce the company’s sexual harassment policies, and ensure that all leadership is held accountable for violating such policies.
SpaceX’s current systems and culture do not live up to its stated values, as many employees continue to experience unequal enforcement of our oft-repeated ‘No Asshole’ and ‘Zero Tolerance’ policies.
US labor law prohibits employers from firing workers who band together to advocate for better working conditions. At the time, Musk called the letter a “distraction and embarrassment” to the company.
McGregor sued by Chiesa over New York bus attack
Chiesa sues McGregor for causing him physical and psychological harm when McGregor hurled a metal dolly at the window of a bus at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn. Chiesa, who said he was pulled from UFC 223 after the incident, claims he has suffered financial damage as a result of the incident and it has affected his future earnings. The size of damages being sought has not been disclosed, although his lawyers say it “exceeds the jurisdictional limits of all lower courts”. The document lists claims for damages for negligence, assault, battery and “intentional infliction of emotional distress”. Chiesa’s lawyers say:
[he was] rendered sick, sore, lame and disabled; that he has experienced pain, suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life and will experience same in future.
Diaz sued for $1 million by former agent over McGregor rematch profits
The Ballenge Group, Diaz’s former managers, files a $1 million suit in District Court in Dallas, claiming they had worked with the fighter since 2014 on several big fights including Rafael Dos Anjos, Michael Johnson and the first McGregor fight at UFC 196. Ballengee claims that in July 2016 — after sealing the deal for Nate to fight Conor at UFC 202 in August — that Nate “unexpectedly” fired them and did not pay them their cut for the UFC 202 fight, which was reportedly the biggest UFC pay-per-view ever at the time. Ballenge lawyer:
My clients performed their job, what Nate Diaz asked them to do. They are due for that. The lawsuit alleges that Diaz and [his attorney] Sam Awad conspired to get Leslie Smith to also fire Ballengee and to not pay Ballengee. Awad, as the mastermind of the conspiracy, he and Nate left, then talked Smith into doing the same thing.
Diaz has made no comment on the suit.
Beyonce sued for $20 million by Messy Mya estate
The estate of late Messy Mya sues Beyonce for copyright infringement and other counts, seeking $20 million for damages over claims that she improperly used Mya’s voice in her song Formation. According to the suit, Formation misappropriated the lyrics “What happened at the New Orleans” and “Bitch, I’m back by popular demand” from Barre’s 2010 work Booking the Hoes From New Wildings. The suit also claims that the line “Oh yeah baby. I like that” from his A 27-Piece Huh? was wrongfully lifted. The lawsuit reads:
Defendants used Mr. Barre’s voice, performance and words from his copyrighted works to create the tone, mood, setting and location of the New Orleans-themed Formation.
TMG blames Depp’s $2m-a-month lifestyle for money problems
In a countersuit, TMG says Depp’s financial troubles are caused by a lavish $2m-a-month lifestyle. While Depp says the business managers have mismanaging his earnings, failed to file taxes on time, and owe him more than $25m, TMG claims the star spent more than $75m on 14 homes and needed 12 storage facilities to house his collection of Hollywood memorabilia, as well as spending $18m on a luxury yacht and $30,000 a month on wine. TMG:
Depp is fully responsible for any financial turmoil. He has refused to live within his means, despite… repeated warnings about his financial condition.
Files for trademark on ‘The Notorious’ nickname
McGregor has reportedly filed trademarks on his own name as well as his nickname “The Notorious,” according to the website for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. According to the filing, McGregor plans on trying to use the trademarks for aftershave, video games, books, clothing, restaurants, barbershops and health club
Hunt sues Lesnar, White, UFC
Hunt files a civil suit naming the UFC, Lesnar and White as defendants with the Nevada District Court. The suit says:
[The parties] affirmatively circumvented and obstructed fair competition for their own benefit…Without HUNT’s knowledge or consent, the UFC conspired and caused LESNAR, a doping fighter, to fight HUNT, a clean fighter, despite the fact that LESNAR used substances banned by the UFC, USADA and WADA.
Hunt:
I want the UFC to understand it’s not OK to keep doing what they’re doing. They’re allowing guys to do this. They had a chance to take all the money from this guy, because he’s a cheater, and they didn’t. What message is that sending to the boys and girls who want to be a fighter someday? The message is, ‘You just have to cheat like this and it’s OK.’ In society, if you commit a crime, you pay. Why is it different in MMA? It’s hurt the business, so it’s even worse. They need to be held accountable for this.
France sued over Titanic artefacts
Premier Exhibitions sues the French government, in a Florida federal bankruptcy court, to be allowed to sell some of thousands of artifacts salvaged from the Titanic. The company filed the suit to press the French government to clarify it has no interest in the artifacts that would prevent their sale.
A declaration of rights is both necessary and appropriate to establish that France does not have any interest in the French artifacts.
Nungesser files second suit against Columbia
Nungesser files a second complaint against Columbia The 100-page complaint again alleges Columbia participated in gender-based harassment, sexual harassment and gender-based misconduct against Nungesser that “was severe, pervasive and objectively offensive” and that deprived him of educational opportunities. Nungesser questions whether male and female students have the same rights, and whether “a false accusation [is] all it takes to lose any right to a normal life and a normal college experience. Complaint:
Columbia’s institutional practice is largely based on the stereotype of the active, voracious, aggressive male and the passive, restrained, non-aggressive woman, which is sex-based stereotyping and overgeneralization that is discriminatory and a clear violation of Title IX.
Nungesser is seeking damages and declaratory relief. Nungesser:
I sincerely hope that Judge Woods allows my case to move on to trial. While I personally would like to put this case behind me, I also think this complaint raises some fundamental questions that our society deserves answers to.
Unfair labor practices suit
Workers sue McDonald’s over unfair labor practices, which include threatening, spying on, and in some cases terminating workers for organizing. The National Labor Relations Board is representing the workers and includes McDonald’s Corp. itself as joint employers along with their franchisees, holding the parent corporation jointly responsible for inappropriate labor practices.
Without joint employer accountability for the franchisors or the contracting company at the top, these types of corporate outsourcing can result in a lack of accountability for workplace conditions.
Sues seven accusers for defamation
In response to a defamation suit brought by his accusers, Cosby sues Green, Serignese, Traitz, Louisa Moritz, Bowman, Tarshis and Leslie for defamation, saying:
[The defendants] have made malicious, opportunistic and false and defamatory accusations of sexual misconduct against him. [They have] knowingly published false statements and accusations.
My statement re today's lawsuit filed by @BillCosby against all 7 accusers in Massachusetts lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/XRYoV4gXpC
— Monique Pressley (@MoniquePressley) December 14, 2015
To face court martial
The Army says Bergdahl will face court-martial with a potential life sentence. In ordering the court martial Army General Robert Abrams did not follow the recommendation of a preliminary hearing which, according to Bergdahl’s lawyer, called for Bergdahl to face a proceeding that could impose a potential maximum penalty of a year in confinement.
Bergdahl’s lawyer says they had “had hoped the case would not go in this direction.” He also asks Donald Trump to “cease his prejudicial months-long campaign of defamation against our client.”
Diners sues for Hepatitis A risk
A customer files suit against Jascor Inc, a McDonald’s operator in Waterloo, NY, after diners are exposed to food and drinks prepared by a worker with hepatitis A. The case seeks class-action status for as many as 1000 potentially affected customers, who plaintiffs said could number more than 1,000. Public health officials says diners had a low risk of contracting the illness, but urged those who had consumed food and/or drinks from the restaurant on Nov. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 to consider treatments if they were not previously vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Sued for assault and battery
Duggar is sued by Dillon for $500,000 in damages, saying she has suffered emotionally and physically since Duggar allegedly assaulted her during consensual sex in Philadelphia. She says she is being treated by a psychiatrist for severe anxiety. Dillon’s attorney:
While sex may be consensual, an assault and battery is clearly beyond the scope of any consent. [My client] is seeking justice for herself.
The Duggar family does not comment on the suit. Duggar remains in faith-based rehab.
NSA loses phone metadata ruling
Federal judge Leon orders the NSA to stop collecting the phone metadata of California attorney J.J. Little and his small legal practice. While the injunction takes effect immediately, the scope is limited. Leon says that the case may be the last court evaluation of the NSA’s bulk metadata collection program.
It will not, however, be the last chapter in the ongoing struggle to balance privacy rights and national security interests under our Constitution in an age of evolving technological wizardry. [I did not stay the decision] because it has been almost two years since I first found that the NSA’s bulk telephony metadata program likely violates the Constitution.