IStockphoto sells usage rights for a large library of Web-based images. While the images have been cleared for use under a Creative Commons license, such usage licenses are often not formally inspected for legal stability. Some iStockphoto customers fear legal action if their purchased images turn out to be plagiarized or not properly licensed. In response to these consumer worries, iStockphoto is offering guaranteed legal protection of up to $10,000 for its customers.

This new legal protection comes standard with any iStockphoto purchase. Additionally, consumers can increase that coverage to a whopping $250,000 for 100 photo credits (the virtual currency of iStockphoto). Currently, credits range in price from about 95 cents to $1.50.

The increased $250,000 worth of protection is sure to quell any worries that shoppers have about the somewhat shaky Creative Commons rights offered by iStockphoto. Additionally, while curbing customer fears, the new legal protection is likely to earn iStockphoto and Getty Images extra income. While Creative Commons rights have little oversight and can be challenged in court, they rarely are; iStockphoto will most likely not have to fund very many legal battles under their new legal guarantee. Essentially, the guarantee and increased protection options are more for the consumer’s peace of mind than actual legal squabbles. However, if the rare legal issue does arise, rest assured the consumer will be covered under this policy.

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The Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a religious group in Canada, hired Mobina Jaffer and her firm to defend the Order in a sexual abuse case. From 2000 to 2004, Jaffer represented the Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate; after her work was done, she billed the religious organization $5 million for her services and the services of her law firm.

The Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate sued Mobina Jaffer, Azool Jaffer-Jeraj (the Senator’s son), and the law firm for the extraordinary bill. The lawsuit was settled out-of-court, but Jaffer now faces a conduct review by the Law Society of British Columbia in light of these recent events.

Stuart Cameron, the Director of Discipline for the Law Society of British Columbia, says “a conduct review is a serious matter for any lawyer.” Should misconduct be found in the Senator’s past, the review’s findings could have drastic ramifications on Jaffer’s career as one of Canada’s top lawyers.

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A few German newspapers report that Hilton had a verbal argument with Dough Reinhardt, her boyfriend, and the spat may be the reason for her absence at the scheduled events. She reportedly did not leave her hotel room in the city of Frankfurt. Speculation has arisen that the argument may have been due to the fact that one event was scheduled for an erotic club.

However, regardless of her reasons for skipping the scheduled events, Hilton had a contractual obligation to make appearances and she failed to do so.

Mediastar, the company who booked Hilton for the German appearances, will be seeking legal recourse to recoup losses. Mediastar said that Hilton had skipped “dinner with 18 high-ranking guests, the appearance at the bar, [and] the autograph session at Mediastar.”

Specific details about the impending lawsuit upcoming lawsuit, including what monetary damages Mediastar is seeking, is not available at this time. However, Mediastar confirms it will seek legal action.

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The U.S. Court of Appeals will review the EPA’s decision, which calls for new emissions standards by 2016 in an attempt to curb global climate change and other automobile-induced environmental degradation.

The EPA’s California decision has become a template for those looking to reduce carbon emissions, and it is expected that the Obama administration will announce a plan similar to the EPA’s California efforts, calling for nationwide fuel efficiency standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

While California Air Resources Board Chairperson Mary Nichols says predicts that the EPA will win the appeal, Robin Conrad is not as optimistic. Conrad, the executive vice president for the National Chamber Litigation Center claims that the EPA’s decision to call for strict California emissions standards had “no legal justification.” Conrad also added, “global warming is an international issue, not a local one.”

Court motions are due in October. Whatever the appellate court decides, the ruling is expected to have broad ramifications. Should the EPA win the appeal, the stage will be set for updated emissions regulations in other states; if the EPA loses, it will become more difficult for states to enact updated carbon emissions standards in the near future.

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Part of the dilemma for closing Gitmo, as the prison is often called for short, lies in the legal limbo of the 226 suspected terrorists or enemy combatants held at the prison. Johnson, the Pentagon’s top lawyer, explained to the American Bar Association that transferring the prisoners elsewhere will be difficult. He repeatedly affirmed that the administration “remain[s] committed to doing this […] on the deadline that the president set.” Yet, he added “but there are many challenges.”

Johnson’s statements also indicated that abolishment of the former Bush administration military trials for Guantanamo Bay detainees would end by the end of September, 2009. Ending the secretive military trials is expected to provide greater oversight regarding terrorist-related court cases as well as make closing Gitmo easier for the Obama administration.

Johnson has repeatedly explained that in the process of protecting American citizens from terrorist attack, legal and moral standards must remain upheld. Many prominent lawyers feel that the certain aspects of the Guantanamo Bay prison violate established American legal standards, while conservative lawmakers continue to support Gitmo’s operation.

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Under the amendment, couples seeking an IVF procedure will no longer have to prove in court that they have been together for three years. Instead, couples seeking IVF will be required to sign a notarized statement attesting to the legitimacy of their relationship.

The changes to the law side with human rights and parents groups hoping to make it easier for infertile women to obtain an IVF procedure. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Croatian women are infertile.

Additionally, the amendment also changes the country’s in-vitro fertilization law as it pertains to children. Children born after an IVF procedure will now be granted access to sperm and/or egg donor information after they turn 18. However, the child’s access to such information can still be restricted if the biological donors do not grant permission for their records to go to the conceived child.

These amendments mark the first changes in Croatian IVF law since 1978, due in large part to influence from the Roman Catholic Church.

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The preliminary state Ethics Commission report in question, containing an in-depth look at Gov. Sanford’s travel expenses, may answer questions regarding alleged use of the government-funded air travel to see a woman with whom was having an affair. The affair allegedly lasted for one year, leading many to question the South California governor’s integrity when the relationship was finally made public.

Sanford admits to the extramarital affair and has apologized, but he denies traveling illicitly. Even still, speculation alone has caused many to call for Sanford resignation. State Republication Party leaders met on Thursday, September 10, 2009, to discuss the dilemma. In July, a Republican Party executive committee censured Sanford for the affair. Further action may be taken against Sanford by the Party if public opinion continues to favor resignation or if released reports do indeed confirm illicit use of government-funded air travel.

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While the Bar Council of India (BCI) has offered pointed criticism of the proposed educational revamp, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal stands behind the move. Sibal claims that the BCI did not have all the necessary data on the issue to make for accurate criticism.

The 12-member committee is also exploring new legal course offerings at the undergraduate level and also in the primary school curriculum. The proposed revisions will allow those with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Law to have additional marketable skills, making it possible for law students to get jobs in other fields. Additionally, the Ministry feels it is important for interdisciplinary courses to be offered so that students in other fields—like engineering or medicine—can explore legal topics useful in their fields without fully committing to a law degree.

Though Sibal has chastised BCI criticism, the Supreme Court Bar Association president assured Sibal in an official statement that the Bar will support the reforms planned by the committee.

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Swann was charged and convicted of stealing nearly $17 million from the Otago District Health Board. He now undergoes another legal battle as additional charges are leveled for accepting a corrupt payment. Swann, whose assets are still being tabulated and collected by the Crown, will receive legal aid for the duration of his upcoming trial in Christchurch, New Zealand.

If convicted, Swann faces two years in prison or a fine of up to $1,000. However, the fine is not a likely or prudent judgment, as Swann already owes millions of dollars for his former theft. Christchurch lawyer Steven Hombrow is representing Swann in his multi-million dollar fraud case as he attempts to appeal in October of 2009. Court-appointed lawyer Hugo Young will represent Swann in his bribery trial, slated for next year.

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However, McCurry went on to successfully appeal the first decision. Following the appellate ruling, McDonalds took the case to the Malaysian Federal Court—the highest court in Malaysia.

Tuesday’s ruling against the McDonalds suit finally puts the issue to rest, allowing the McCurry restaurant to continue using the “Mc” prefix in its company name. The ruling also provides $2,900 to the McCurry company to offset legal fees.

While the ruling is a victory for small business-owners, the final verdict is projected to shake global confidence in the Malaysian market, setting precedent for legal usage of trademarked symbols. Local use of international trade symbols (such as the “Mc” prefix) is seen as a threat by the McDonalds Corporation and other large businesses, as it may cause brand confusion and lessened profit margins in the region.

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