Even with a platoon of top-shelf appellate lawyers, Big Tobacco hasn't had much luck pressing a constitutional challenge to the way the Florida courts are handling the so-called "Engle progeny" litigation. That proved true again on Monday, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider the tobacco companies' claims that judges in Florida are trampling their due process rights.

A record producing company can pursue its lawsuit against Universal Music Group Inc. over licensing rights to several early recordings by reggae legends Bob Marley and the Wailers, a federal appeals court ruled this week.

Genentech's decade-old 'Cabilly II' patent sparked infringement and antitrust claims that are still being litigated today. 'Cabilly III' is less than a week old, and already the suits are flying.

After getting $700 billion worth of help from Congress, Wall Street got a little more assistance last week, this time from the Second Circuit. The appellate court overturned a ruling that permitted an investment advisor's suit against scores of Wall Street advisors to move forward, finding that the advisor--which sued on behalf of clients who lost money in the meltdown of Adelphia Communications--lacked constitutional standing.

In the face of calls for greater transparency, business groups are honing their arguments against corporate disclosure of political spending. But their rationales just don't cut it.