Remaining members of the rock icon J. Geils Band are being sued by former member and founder John Geils over use of the J. Geils Band name in the current tour line-up.

In the lawsuit, Geils names band members Richard Salwitz, Danny Klein, Peter Wolf and Seth Justman, claiming they "planned and conspired" to exclude Geils from their current tour and are unlawfully using the group's trademarked name. Geils is seeking full rights to the name and prohibition of use by the other band members, plus damages.

"Together they're the J. Geils Band, but separately they're Mr. Wolf, Mr. Salwitz, Mr. Klein and Mr. Justman," said Geils' lawyer, Charles Grimes. "They do not have the right to take his name and use it, and try to deny him the right to use his own name."

News sources indicate that Geils has been reluctant to participate in previous reunions because he prefers jazz music over rock 'n' roll or the music of Geils. In a radio interview, Wolf adds that Geils' legal action is "deceptive," "disturbing" and "fraudulent" and likens the situation to the Allman Brothers and Van Halen's when they went through multiple lineup changes.

—Sources: Rollingstone.com and wzlx.cbslocal.com

Two New York foie gras producers and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets are being sued by the California-based Animal Legal Defense Fund (ADLF) for what it contends is force-feeding of ducks and geese to produce fattened livers.

The lawsuit alleges that in the last weeks of their lives the ducks and geese are force-fed so the birds' livers will grow to 10 times their normal size. ADLF's attorney Jonathan G. Schopf claims this induces hepatic lipidosis, a liver disease that violates a state agriculture law that requires that "the product of a diseased animal" be declared an adulterated food and banned.

“When the department fails to condemn diseased poultry products, they are failing to comply with (the law),” said Stephen Wells, executive director of ALDF, in a statement announcing the suit. “Countless birds are suffering because of the state of New York’s negligence.”

In addition to the state agency, the suit names Hudson Valley Foie Gras and La Belle Farm, the only commercial foie gras producers in the country since California's ban on the production and sale of foie gras went into effect this summer.

According to news reports, a similar suit, also filed against the same farms and the agriculture department by the national Humane Society, was dismissed in 2008 by state Supreme Court Justice John Egan Jr. on the grounds that the Humane Society did not have standing to sue on behalf of animals raised for food. Schopf claims his legal strategy is different in that "By approving force-fed foie gras for human consumption and allowing it to remain in the marketplace, State respondents have injured [consumers'] interests by causing [them] to consume diseased, dangerous and illegally manufactured products."

Hudson Valley Foie Gras, which calls itself “the humane choice,” says its ducks are healthy and do not suffer.

—Source:  timesunion.com (New York)

A Georgia grandmother is being sued by her homeowners association because of a pink playhouse she had built in her backyard for her granddaughter.

Augusta (Georgia) resident Becky Rogers-Peck has been in an ongoing battle with her Mill Haven neighborhood since installing the playhouse last year. Reportedly, the association has no problem with the structure itself, but ra ther the color, which apparently is "too pink" and was not approved in advance. Rogers-Peck claims that the playhouse, which cannot be seen from the street, does not fall under the definition of a backyard structure (like a shed or garage) and so pre-approval of the color was not required.

"The general reaction is, 'Are you kidding me?'" Rogers-Peck told reporters. "'They're suing you over a pink playhouse?' They're policing us like we're in a communist country, and it's just ridiculous. Every once in a while, you've got to stand your ground."

Rogers-Peck was a member of the HOA board at the time the dispute arose in April, but has since been removed. According to news reports, the lawsuit could be dropped if a new board is elected and has a change of heart. She is appealing to potential new board members to stop the nonsense. "I can't afford an attorney, and I was told by an attorney not to go [to court] by yourself," Rogers-Peck said. "I'm just asking for somebody to help me put a stop to this nonsense."

There are 30 homes in the development and Rogers-Peck claims there are numerous violations of other rules, including leaving trash cans or air-conditioning units uncovered.

And as for her granddaughter, Rogers-Peck says, "She knows exactly what's going on, and she is very upset about it. She is scared they might make us tear it down."

—Source: today.msnbc.msn.com

An Illinois dad is suing Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, after his daughter tripped while being chased by a character during a Halloween-themed Fright Fest.

Marian Pieczonka claims his young daughter Natalie (age not listed) was chased by a character who jumped out of a port-a-potty, scared her and shot her with a squirt gun. According to the lawsuit, Natalie fell and suffered scrapes and bruises. 

The family blames Six Flags Great America for encouraging its employees to chase and frighten the guests.  They are seeking $30,000 in damages.

"I can assure you that the safety and well-being of our guests and employees is our top priority," Six Flags Great America spokeswoman Kathryn Enrique said in response to the lawsuit.

—Source:  chicago.cbslocal.com