Ameranth Receives Notice of Allowance for Major New Patent for its 21st Century Communications WebWireless Synchronization Inventions
February 6, 2012

Ameranth, Inc. announced today that it has received a 'Notice of..."/>
 
 

'New patent allowance further confirms the validity and strength of Ameranth's Patents'

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameranth, Inc. announced today that it has received a 'Notice of Allowance' from the United States Patent Office for a new, strategic patent containing 18 new patent claims further protecting its 21st Century Communications™ Web/Wireless Synchronization Inventions. Lead inventor, Keith R. McNally (Ameranth's co-founder and President) led the prosecution of this new patent allowance, which is a confirmation of the visionary conceptualization of these breakthrough wireless/web/internet data synchronization inventions. Ameranth's patents are now integral to modern hospitality computer/internet/wireless based systems, which are seamlessly integrated with social media services and with other third-party software/web/internet applications.

This new patent was approved following an extraordinarily comprehensive and thorough review conducted by the United States Patent Office. The extensive Patent Office review (inclusive of multiple Supervisory Patent Examiners - SPE's) considered nearly 200 separate references (including references identified by Ameranth, the Patent Office and third parties). As a result, this new strategic patent allowance confirms the non-obviousness and novelty of the Ameranth family of data synchronization patents.

"We are excited to secure this new patent after such a long and thorough review within the U.S. Patent Office," stated Vern Yates, Ameranth's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While the process was long and extremely comprehensive, we were confident that the end result would be the patent allowance that we have now achieved, thus substantiating the visionary nature of Ameranth's inventions. This new patent confirms that the scope of our hospitality data synchronization patents includes ticketing, reservations, payment processing via mobile devices and smart phones, seamless point-of-sale system integration and much more."

Ameranth's pioneering web/wireless data synchronization inventions have been previously patented (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,384,850; 6,871,325; 6,982,733 - with an additional patent application beyond this new allowance still pending), have been widely adopted and deployed, and are now essential to the modern wireless/web hospitality enterprise. The explosive growth of the use of smart phones, social/affinity group networking, wireless networks and related technologies now make the use and licensing of Ameranth's patents essential to achieve a totally synchronized system, i.e., the 21st Century Communications™ system invented in 1998 by Ameranth's visionary inventors. Modern hospitality information technology systems performing functions such as online/mobile ordering, reservations, ticketing, payment processing and related functionality require the use of Ameranth's patented inventions for synchronized operation. Ameranth has active patent infringement lawsuits against numerous infringing defendants; including Seamless, GrubHub, Exit41, PAR, QuikOrder, OpenTable, TicketMob/Laughstub and the three largest pizza chains - Papa John's, Domino's and Pizza Hut.

The adoption of Ameranth's technology by industry leaders and the wide acclaim received by Ameranth for its technological innovations are just some of the many confirmations of the breakthrough aspects of Ameranth's inventions. Ameranth has received twelve different technology awards (three with "end customer" partners) and has been widely recognized as a hospitality wireless/internet technology leader by almost all major national and hospitality print publications, e.g., The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and many others. Ameranth was personally nominated by Bill Gates, the Founder of Microsoft, for the prestigious Computerworld Honors Award that Ameranth received in 2001 for its breakthrough synchronized reservations/ticketing system with the Improv Comedy Theatres. In his nomination, Mr. Gates described Ameranth as "one of the leading pioneers of information technology for the betterment of mankind."

About Ameranth, Inc.:

Ameranth,Inc. (http://www.ameranth.com) is a recognized leader in the hospitality technology market, having been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, USA Today, Business Week, US News & World Report, Nation's Restaurant News, Hospitality Technology, TIME, CNNfn, San Diego Union Tribune, and numerous other prestigious publications. Ameranth has also been awarded or participated in twelve technology/"best product" awards.

Tel: (888) AMERANTH Fax: (858) 362-0151- (www.ameranth.com)

SOURCE Ameranth, Inc.

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Joe Francis vs. Madonna in Super Bowl Showdown
February 5, 2012

This morning, a cease and desist letter was sent to Madonna, her..."/>
 
 

Madonna's rumored performance of her new song titled, Girls Gone Wild at this Sunday's Super Bowl, has Joe Francis throwing a penalty flag...and for good reason.


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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, a cease and desist letter was sent to Madonna, her management, NBC Sports and the NFL from Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis' attorney.   In the letter, attorney David Houston asserts that Madonna is infringing on his client's long-time trademark, Girls Gone Wild, without his permission.  While shopping on Apple iTunes this morning, Francis discovered that "Girls Gone Wild" is the title of the first song on Madonna's new album, "M.D.N.A."  Francis was quoted as saying, "I was blown away when I saw our name being used without our consent.  I had to do a double take when I saw that it was the number one song on the album."

It was rumored in a number of published news articles today that as part of Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show, she would be performing her song, "Girls Gone Wild."  "Not so fast," says Francis.  The cease and desist letter also stated, "Madonna shall not perform or market the song at the Super Bowl this Sunday without a proper licensing agreement from Girls Gone Wild."  Francis ended with, "Don't get me wrong, I'm a Madonna fan, but business is business.  Maybe the Material Girl and I can work this out over drinks."

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090413/LA98232LOGO-b)

SOURCE Girls Gone Wild

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Alley Cat Allies Asks California Governor_ Don't Repeal Hayden Law
February 5, 2012

Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, today asked California Gov. Jerry Brown to reconsider his proposal to repeal significant portions of the Hayden Law, a state law that provides standards to help animals in public and private animal shelters, and makes the shelters more accountable to the public.

"The Hayden Law facilitates very basic protections for animals, including setting a 6-day standard for holding animals so they can be reclaimed by owners or adopted, and providing necessary veterinary care to those animals who enter shelters sick or injured," said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies.

"Prior to the Hayden Law, California's animal shelter standards were ranked at the bottom nationally.  Repealing this law would be a giant step backwards.  Annually, thousands of animals could pay for this repeal with their lives," she said.

The Hayden Law currently requires animal shelters to operate under procedures designed to decrease shelter kill rates, including easing the adoption of at-risk animals by rescue groups, aiding in reuniting owners with lost pets, and expanding the holding period before a stray animal could be killed to increase chances of adoption or reclamation by owner.  It also requires shelters to provide basic veterinary services to the animals in their care.  Gov. Brown's proposal would end these essential requirements that save lives.

"Citizens want humane, common-sense solutions to end the killing in animal pounds and shelters. Instead of reversing the gains made under the Hayden Law, California should be looking to build on them with even more life-saving approaches to animal sheltering," said Robinson.

About Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats.  Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than 260,000 supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives cats and kittens nationwide.  Their web site is www.alleycat.org.

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies

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Los Angeles Dodgers File Motion to Disallow Stow Bankruptcy Court Claim
February 5, 2012

 Los Angeles Dodgers LLC ("LAD", "Dodgers") today reported that it..."/>
 

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles Dodgers LLC ("LAD", "Dodgers") today reported that it has filed a motion to disallow all claims (the "Stow Claim") asserted by Bryan Stow, Tyler Stow and Tabitha Stow against the Los Angeles Dodgers with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

On March 31, 2011, which was Opening Day for the Dodgers' 2011 baseball season, Stow was injured during an altercation that occurred after the baseball game ended in Parking Lot 2, situated on the outer ring of the parking lots surrounding Dodger Stadium.  Stow subsequently filed a complaint in California state court against more than a dozen defendants, including LAD and other debtors.  Stow's lawsuit, as against the debtors, was automatically stayed under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code when the debtors filed for bankruptcy protection on June 27, 2011.  Stow filed the Stow claim with the bankruptcy court on July 11, 2011.  Also in July, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested two individuals, Marvin Norwood and Louis Sanchez, as suspects in the altercation with Stow.  These individuals also attended the Opening Day game and sat on the opposite side of the stadium from where Stow was seated. Neither individual is part of the Dodger organization.  Norwood and Sanchez are currently in criminal custody awaiting trial.

The Dodgers have moved that the Bankruptcy Court disallow the Stow claim in its entirety because, as a matter of law, Stow cannot prevail in his claims against the debtors.

The debtors' motion makes clear, among other points:

  • As a matter of law, Stow cannot prove any link between the additional security related steps that Stow contends the debtors should have taken and his injuries;
  • Stow cannot show that anything about the security personal staffing on Opening Day caused his injuries and, furthermore, the security staffing at the game greatly exceeded all requirements of California state law;
  • The Dodgers had no knowledge of any inappropriate conduct by Stow's assailants prior to the time that Stow sustained his injuries and, as a matter of law, are not liable for failure to anticipate criminal acts of third parties;
  • The California Court of Appeals has recognized that allegedly inadequate lighting cannot support a finding that a property owner "caused" an attack by a third party on its premises.  Moreover, Stow cannot show that inadequate lighting caused his injuries and, in fact, the Stow complaint alleges that the altercation "took place over a prolonged period of time and drew the attention of various other patrons," which if true demonstrates that the assailants were unconcerned with concealing themselves from others;
  • Contrary to Stow's lawyers' contentions, there was no "half-off" beer promotion at Opening Day and, thus, could not have had anything to do with his injury;
  • The Dodgers cannot be held liable for failing to escort Stow and his companions through the parking lot; and, furthermore, neither Stow, nor anyone else in his party, ever asked to be escorted or for any other assistance;
  • The Dodgers are not liable for the presence of persons who might be gang members and, in any case, there is no evidence that Norwood or Sanchez are gang members, or that the Dodgers had any knowledge of gang membership or prior criminal conduct by either of Stow's assailants.

In addition, the debtors' motion makes clear that, based on the material facts that are not genuinely at issue, and, as a matter of law, no basis exists for Stow's claim for punitive damages.  Accordingly, Los Angeles Dodgers have moved that the bankruptcy court should grant summary judgment disallowing all punitive damage claims against LAD.

Contact: Robert Siegfried/Lyndsey Estin/Stef Goodsell Kekst and Company 212.521.4800

 

SOURCE Los Angeles Dodgers

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BBVA Compass Sued for Alleged Labor Law Violations, According to Mortgage Bankers' Legal Team
February 5, 2012

 Compass systematically violated federal labor laws by denying overtime..."/>
 

HOUSTON, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Compass systematically violated federal labor laws by denying overtime pay to its mortgage banking officers, Lee & Braziel, LLP and the Rowdy Meeks Legal Group, LLC allege in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Texas federal court.

Filed on behalf of former mortgage banking officer (MBO) Keith Vaughn, the lawsuit alleges that the bank illegally misclassified MBOs nationwide as overtime-exempt employees until approximately April 2011 in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In April 2011, the bank reclassified its MBOs to make them eligible for overtime pay. Although Compass instituted a time-tracking system last year, it discouraged MBOs – who regularly work overtime – from entering more than 40 hours per work week so the bank could avoid paying overtime compensation, according to the lawsuit.

A resident of Katy, Texas, Vaughn worked as an MBO at several Compass branch offices between November 2010 and September 2011.

Vaughn is represented by Rowdy Meeks, of the Rowdy Meeks Legal Group LLC, in Kansas City, Mo., and J. Derek Braziel, of Lee & Braziel, LLP, in Dallas. More information about the litigation is available at www.BBVACompassOvertime.com.

J. Derek Braziel, of Lee & Braziel, LLP, said, "FLSA violations have been pervasive throughout the mortgage industry. We allege Compass Bank's deliberately illegal misclassification of its MBOs as exempt from overtime requirements, and not allowing them to properly record overtime hours worked, demonstrates a willful violation of the FLSA."

Rowdy B. Meeks, of Rowdy Meeks Legal Group LLC, said, "We believe the Defendants were well aware of their legal obligations to the MBOs because Compass employs many hourly, overtime-eligible employees in their branch offices. We hope this case will convince BBVA Compass and other banks to finally comply with the labor laws when it comes to their treatment of mortgage banking officers."

The law firms will seek to have the lawsuit certified as a collective action to recover unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, attorneys' fees, and other litigation costs.

The case is "Kevin Vaughn, et al., v. Compass Bank, Compass Bank, Compass Bancshares, Inc., and BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc.," Civil Action No. 4:12-cv-00316 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. 

Attorney Contacts: Rowdy B. Meeks, Rowdy Meeks Legal Group LLC, Kansas City, Mo., 816.977.2741, www.rmlegalgroup.com, and J. Derek Braziel, Lee & Braziel, LLP, Dallas, 214.749.1400, www.overtimelawyer.com.

SOURCE Lee & Braziel, LLP

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