Tag: Idaho
-
Ninth Circuit Sends Hemp Truck Case to State Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reversed a district court’s decision not to apply an abstention that would defer a case on the legality of transporting hemp to state court proceedings. Big Sky Scientific v. Bennetts, No. 19-0040 (9th Cir., entered September 4, 2019). Hemp producers were reportedly hoping to receive…
-
Ninth Circuit Finds Idaho “Ag-Gag” Law Overbroad But Upholds Some Restrictions
After secretly filmed footage of an Idaho dairy farm drew national attention and threats against the owners, the Idaho legislature passed a law criminalizing entry, records access and the creation of recordings of agricultural production operations. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and 15 other plaintiffs challenged the law, and a…
-
Chobani, Alex Jones Settle Defamation Claims
Infowars founder Alex Jones has reportedly agreed to retract his statements concerning Chobani LLC’s production facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, after Chobani filed a defamation lawsuit. Jones’ website published a video asserting that Chobani’s Idaho facility, which employs a number of refugees, was linked to a crime and a rise in incidents of tuberculosis. “During…
-
Chobani Sues Alex Jones for Defamation
Chobani LLC has reportedly filed a libel suit against Alex Jones, radio host and founder of Infowars, alleging Jones defamed the company with a report that its Idaho factory was linked to a child sexual assault case and a rise in incidents of tuberculosis. Chobani LLC v. Jones, No. 42171659 (Idaho 5th Jud. D. Ct.,…
-
J.R. Simplot Alleges McCain Foods Infringes Patent for Sidewinders® Twisted Fries
J.R. Simplot Co. has filed a patent infringement suit against McCain Foods USA, Inc. alleging McCain copied Simplot’s twisted potato fries product, Sidewinders®. J.R. Simplot Co. v. McCain Foods USA, Inc., No. 16-0449 (D. Idaho, filed October 7, 2016). Simplot asserts that its patent, “Spiral Potato Piece,” covers the ornamental features of Sidewinders®, including its…
-
Potato Trademark Dispute Centers on “Buttery Homestyle” Name
Idahoan Foods LLC has filed a lawsuit against Basic American Inc. alleging the company’s line of potato products marketed under the name “Buttery Home-Style” infringes on Idahoan’s rights to “Buttery Homestyle,” its brand of potato products. Idahoan Foods LLC v. Basic Am. Inc., No. 16-0005 (D. Idaho, filed January 6, 2016). Idahoan’s trademark application to…
-
Idaho “Ag-Gag” Statute Struck Down
An Idaho federal court has invalidated a state law that criminalized undercover investigations at agricultural manufacturing plants, finding that the law criminalized speech in violation of the First Amendment. Animal Legal Def. Fund v. Otter, No. 14-0104 (D. Idaho, order entered August 3, 2015). The 2014 Idaho statute passed after an animal-rights organization publicized a…
-
Challenge to Idaho Law Criminalizing Agricultural Investigations Proceeds
A federal court in Idaho has denied, in part, the motion to dismiss filed by state officials in a challenge filed by animal-rights activists and other groups to a law that criminalizes the undercover investigations of agricultural operations. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Otter, No. 14-0104 (D. Idaho, order entered September 4, 2014). The court agreed…