Sam Hananel

December 14, 2004 | Law.com

A federal judge heard arguments Monday in a trademark dispute that could threaten millions in advertising revenue for search engine Google. Auto insurance giant Geico argued that Google should not be allowed to sell ads to rival insurance companies that are triggered whenever Geico's name is typed into the Google search box. Geico claims that Google's AdWords program causes confusion for consumers and illegally exploits Geico's investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in its brand.

By Sam Hananel

3 minute read

October 02, 2003 | Law.com

A federal judge has overturned a ruling revoking the Washington Redskins trademark, finding there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the name is disparaging to American Indians. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly also made clear that her ruling does not address the issue of whether the name "Redskins" actually is offensive to Indians.

By Sam Hananel

3 minute read

October 04, 2005 | Law.com

The Supreme Court on Monday considered the power of states to tax fuel sold on Indian reservations, a source of increasing conflict as more retailers thrive on tribal lands outside U.S. control. Chief Justice John Roberts, on the high court bench for the first time, asked whether "some bright young lawyer" encouraged the Kansas legislature to change the fuel tax statute just to make it more favorable to the state. "It suggests we shouldn't give too much weight to that," he said.

By Sam Hananel

3 minute read

October 27, 2006 | Law.com

A Michigan judge whose nomination to the federal bench is stalled over her appearance at a lesbian commitment ceremony says she attended as a friend, not to give legal sanction. The nomination of Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Janet T. Neff to be a U.S. District Court judge is on hold because Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., is not satisfied with her response to questions about her views on same-sex marriage, a spokesman for the senator said Thursday.

By Sam Hananel

3 minute read

October 04, 2005 | National Law Journal

The Supreme Court on Monday considered the power of states to tax fuel sold on Indian reservations, a source of increasing conflict as more retailers thrive on tribal lands outside U.S. control. Chief Justice John Roberts, on the high court bench for the first time, asked whether "some bright young lawyer" encouraged the Kansas legislature to change the fuel tax statute just to make it more favorable to the state. "It suggests we shouldn't give too much weight to that," he said.

By Sam Hananel

3 minute read