| Volume 91 Number 10 |
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Don't let identify theft make a victim of you! Check out this extensive guide to understanding and protecting your privacy!
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Parts of Texas Abortion Law Declared Unconstitutional By Federal Judge
On Monday, a federal judge in Texas declared parts of the Texas restrictions on abortion unconstitutional. According to the judge, the regulations requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital would unreasonably limit a woman's access to abortion.
The other controversial rules will still take effect. Specifically,the prohibition on abortions after 20 weeks and the requirement that all abortions take place in a surgical facility will become law in October of 2014.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a candidate for Governor, has promised an emergency appeal.
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Planned Obsolescence in the Marketplace
"Planned obsolescence," as it pertains to goods, means that the goods have a planned, artificial expiration date. Essentially, the maker of the good, or some other industry force, makes the good become obsolete by design.
Every year around the time Apple releases a new iPhone, many consumers complain of problems surrounding their older model phones. From battery issues to speed and overall performance, a segment of consumers experience issues that foster a desire to upgrade their devices. In turn, the company making the product (in this example, Apple), makes a profit by selling existing consumers on newer products.
There are other factors that can contribute to what may otherwise appear to be planned obsolescence. For instance, in the Apple example, new phones often come with new operating systems that include features demanded by consumers. The new features require more power and can deplete performance levels.
Are certain products designed to artificially expire? Or, does the phenomenon occur by chance?
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Your Money
What is the value of a bond?
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For the Lawyers
Unconscionability remains a viable defense to enforcement of an arbitration clause.
For the first time, the California Supreme Court considered the impact of both AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion and American Express v. Italian Colors. The court held that unconscionability -- focused on whether a contract is unfairly one-sided -- remains a viable defense to individual arbitration agreements in California.
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