A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Epic Games, the developer of the popular video game Fortnite, claiming the game is "as addictive as cocaine."

According to news reports, two Quebec parents have filed the lawsuit in Canada on behalf of their children, ages 10 and 15. Alessandra Esposito Chartrand, the attorney representing the parents, alleges that Epic employed psychologists when developing Fortnite, "[digging] into the brain and…really [making] the effort to make it as addictive as possible." Chartrand, citing psychotherapist Dr. Anita Gadhia-Smith's work that equates dopamine release from electronic usage with cocaine addiction, argues that Epic "knowingly put on the market a very, very addictive game which was also geared toward youth."

The plaintiffs are seeking damages, including a fine against Epic Games and a refund of the children's in-game purchases. According to the lawsuit, the 10-year-old played approximately 1,800 matches of Fortnite in seven months and spent CA$600 on "V-Bucks," and the 15-year-old played more than 7,000 matches of Fortnite over the course of a year (that's nearly 20 matches per day), and stays up until 3 a.m. on the weekends and 1 a.m. during the week in order to play the game. The suit claims the older child spent between CA$300 and CA$400 on in-game purchases.

A spokesperson for Epic Games stated that the company does not comment on ongoing litigation.

—Source:  reason.com

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has settled a lawsuit against his former manager and law firm in what is being reported as a "massive" 8-figure deal.

Depp sued his longtime talent lawyer Jake Bloom for $30 million, claiming the mega lawyer was collecting huge fees without a contract. Several years ago, Depp had won a lawsuit against the firm Bloom Hergott, allowing him to void the oral arrangements made between Depp and Bloom, who recently retired.

According to news reports, Depp’s attorney, Adam Walkman, said, "Today, Bloom Hergott provided Johnny Depp an 8-figure payment to settle Mr. Depp’s lawsuit against the firm for fraud, conflict of interest, disgorgement of over $30 million in voidable fees and other malfeasance that they engaged in over nearly two decades."

The firm countered with a statement saying, "The former law firm of Bloom Hergott, with the help of its insurance carrier, has favorably settled the litigation with Johnny Depp for a fraction of his original demand. While the firm was confident it would prevail at trial, we are nonetheless pleased with this resolution as it expedites the firm’s winding down process and allows it to get off the endless Johnny Depp litigation train."

Depp remains embroiled in two lawsuits: one filed against him by a movie locations manager over an alleged assault and his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

"Now that Bloom Hergott has settled, Mr. Depp’s legal team will turn its full attention to mopping up the hoaxes perpetrated by Rocky Brooks and Amber Heard," Depp’s attorneys reportedly said.

—Source: yahoo.com

A judge in North Carolina has ordered a man to pay $750,000 to his girlfriend's ex-husband for "alienation of affection."

North Carolina is one of six states that still allows lawsuits based on claims of alienation of affection. Kevin Howard sued his ex-wife's lover, claiming the boyfriend caused the break up of his twelve-year marriage.

"Other families should see what the consequences are to not only breaking the vow to whatever religion you subscribe to, but also your legal responsibilities," Howard told news sources. "He [the boyfriend] was a colleague of hers from work. He ate dinner with us several times, we spent time together ... I thought this was a friend."

According to Howard's attorney, Cindy Mills, the defendant in the case initially didn't take the lawsuit seriously, laughing when they brought the case.

"I said, 'Do you find something funny about this process?'" Mills said. "That's very dangerous perception to have because the same person who laughed in that deposition, that defendant, now has a $750,000 judgment against them, so I don't think he's laughing now."

—Source: patch.com

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Bacardi, the maker of Bombay Sapphire gin, alleging the manufacturer produces its popular gin using a common spice that was banned under a 150-year-old Florida law. 

The lawsuit also names as a defendant Florida-based grocery chain Winn-Dixie that sells Bombay Sapphire.

The Florida law, § 562.455, declares that "[w]hoever adulterates, for the purpose of sale, any liquor, used or intended for drink, with… grains of paradise… or any other substance which is poisonous or injurious to health, and whoever knowingly sells any liquor so adulterated, shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree." The law was adopted after the Civil War during a time when people believed the spice was a poisonous drug.

But, according to news reports, "grains of paradise," a West African ginger spice that is close to cardamom, an ingredient in the gin, is allegedly not harmful. It is worth noting as well that the federal government permits the addition of grains of paradise to food (including alcoholic beverages).

The lawsuit, filed by attorney Roniel Rodriguez, who represents plaintiff Uri Marrache, fails to allege that Bacardi or Winn-Dixie caused Marrache (or any other potential class member) any specific physical harms or side effects. Indeed, it is reported that Rodriguez "acknowledges there are no studies that he's found that show a negative health effect of grains of paradise." The alleged damage described in the lawsuit resides instead entirely in the "individual purchase price" paid by consumers — "generally less than $40."

—Source: Reason.com