Reprieve

Google Gains Temporary Reprieve as Court Delays Play Store Antitrust Modifications Pending Appeal

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SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in San Francisco has delayed a mandate that required Google to dismantle exclusivity barriers within its Android app store, waiting for an appellate court to weigh in on Google’s condemnation as a monopolist. The decision temporarily preserves Google’s operational framework until the appeal is decided, a legal process that could extend well into the future. This judicial pause follows the December 2023 jury verdict that labeled Google’s Play Store as monopolistic, claiming it suppressed innovation and artificially raised prices for consumers. Google had been facing the prospect of implementing … Read more

Texas Gains Temporary Reprieve from New Overtime Rule, Rest of U.S. Employers Must Comply

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AUSTIN, Texas — In a significant ruling issued late Friday, the State of Texas has been temporarily exempted from adhering to a new federal overtime regulation that raises the salary threshold for so-called “white-collar” exemptions. The district court’s decision solely affects state employees, leaving private employers in Texas and nationwide required to comply with the scheduled changes. The legal challenge mounted by Texas against the Department of Labor (DOL) centers on the argument that the DOL overstepped its authority with the substantial increase in salary thresholds and the mandate for automatic adjustments every three years. … Read more