Brief

MOBILE, Ala. — A federal court in Alabama denied residents’ motion for a preliminary injunction related to the civil rights lawsuit they filed against town council members, who have allegedly operated a “hand-me-down governance” system at least since the mid-1960s, where no regular municipal election for the mayor or council have been held. The council members allegedly secretly reappointed themselves to keep residents from electing a majority-Black council. The residents are likely to succeed on their constitutional claim, but have not shown how they will suffer an irreparable harm, as necessary for an injunction.

HOUSTON — A federal court in Texas ruled that Nike may recover some attorney fees after the court dismissed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the company for its use of the term “Ballin.” The person who sued did not act with animus, he just falsely believed he held trademark ownership over the commonly used term. Since Nike easily obtained dismissal, its request for $570,000 in attorney fees is slimmed down to a $25,000 award.

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal court in Texas denied property owners’ request for the court to bar the town of Volente from enforcing its regulations of short-term rentals. The property owners say rules prohibiting outside activities past 10 p.m. violate freedom of assembly rights, but the ordinance “abides by a well-trodden principle in property law: that ‘all property in this country is held under the implied obligation that the owner’s use of it shall not be injurious to the community.’”