Articles by Jonathan Stempel

‘Top Gun’ Heirs Sue Paramount Over ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

The family of the author whose article inspired the 1986 Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun” on Monday sued Paramount Pictures for copyright infringement over this year’s blockbuster sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.” According to a complaint filed in Los Angeles federal …

New York Accuses Amazon of Discriminating Against Pregnant and Disabled Workers

The New York State Division of Human Rights has filed a complaint against Amazon.com Inc. accusing the online retailer of discriminating against pregnant and disabled workers at its worksites, Governor Kathy Hochul said on Wednesday. Amazon was also accused of …

Where’s the Beef? McDonald’s, Wendy’s Are Sued Over Burger Sizes

Justin Chimienti thought the Big Mac he bought at McDonald’s and the Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger he bought at Wendy’s would be as big and juicy as advertised. He says they were not, and now he is suing the fast-food chains. …

Allianz to Pay Over $6B for Structured Alpha Fraud, Former Fund Manager Indicted

Germany’s Allianz SE agreed to pay more than $6 billion and its U.S. asset management unit pleaded guilty to criminal securities fraud over the collapse of a group of investment funds early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Allianz’s settlements with the …

Judge Says ‘Vape’ Musical Parody May Go On as ‘Grease’ Copyright Claim Flops

A U.S. judge on Thursday ruled that “Vape: The Musical,” which mocks the blockbuster 1978 film “Grease,” amounted to fair use and did not infringe the rights of owners of the “Grease” copyright. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the …

Court Says Federal Law Preempts, Tosses New York Suit Over Amazon Worker Safety

A New York state appeals court on Tuesday dismissed state Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit accusing Amazon.com Inc. of failing to adequately protect thousands of workers at two New York City facilities against COVID-19. The Appellate Division in Manhattan said …

Intuit to Pay $141 Million to Settle TurboTax Deception Claims

Intuit Inc agreed to pay $141 million in restitution to settle claims by all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., that it tricked millions of customers into buying online TurboTax products that the company deceptively advertised as “free.” Wednesday’s settlement …

Woman Says Amazon.com Fired Her Because She Got ‘Long Covid’ – Lawsuit

NEW YORK –– A former Amazon.com Inc. employee sued the online retailer on Monday, saying it wrongly fired her and demanded she repay wages after she contracted “long COVID.” Brittany Hope, 29, a former brand manager for Amazon’s fashion line …

Berkshire Shareholders Vote to Keep Buffett as Chairman, Reject Climate Disclosures

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders on Saturday rejected proposals to have an independent chair replace Warren Buffett, and require his company to disclose more about its climate-related risks and efforts to improve diversity. Shareholders supported letting Buffett keep both the chairman …

Berkshire Investors Nudge for Better Governance, Social Issues as Meeting Looms

Warren Buffett will face pressure to improve Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s environmental and social policies as well as governance when he meets shareholders this weekend, in what investors say is a harbinger of what may come after the 91-year-old billionaire is …