| Volume 44 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
A good way to protect yourself when you move out of your apartment is to tell the landlord to keep the security deposit as the last month's rent, right? Wrong! Under Texas law, withholding your last month's rent could result in a penalty of twice the rent plus an additional $100. Click here for more.
ESPN Announces 3D TV
With the recent release of the 3D movie Avatar, consumers around the world experienced an incredible upgrade in their viewing experience. ESPN, the nation's leading sports television channel, wants to bring that experience in to your home. ESPN will introduce a 3D sports network this year, with Discovery not far behind. What will you need to experience 3D television? Click here for more.
LG Recalls Dehumidifiers Due to Fire
Do you own a LG Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifier? According to a recall issued by LG, the dehumidifiers can short circuit and pose a fire hazard. The units were sold at Walmart, Home Depot and Heat Controller from January 2007 through June 2008. If you believe your unit may be included, Click here for more.
Google Challenges iPhone
Google's Nexus One smartphone is about to hit the market and is headed for direct competition with Apple's iPhone. The smartphone will use Google's Android operating system. Android is already used by other phone makers, increasing the availability of popular user applications ("apps"). With a competitive cost and similar phone, has Google offered enough to encourage consumers to leave AT&T? Click here for more.
House & Senate Set to Merge Health Care Bills
During the holidays, the United States Senate passed its version of health care reform. The controversial plan included many last minute changes and compromises in order to generate the necessary sixty votes. Now the House and Senate must reconcile their very different plans. Will the final version be virtually identical to the Senate's plan? Can the public option make a comeback at this stage of the game? Click here for more.
Your Money
How much life insurance do you need? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Emails about debt “acknowledge” debt and extend statute of limitations under Virginia law. A U.S. District Court in Virginia held that two e-mails about future negotiations to resolve an unpaid note acknowledged the amount owed and reset the limitations period under which a creditor could sue to collect it. The court noted that the “acknowledgement” dispute was the central focus of the individual's motion for judgment because the six-year statute of limitations had run out, unless the court could find that he acknowledged the debt in a signed writing, which resets the limitations period under Virginia law. Click here for more.