Tag Archives: Humor
Historical Dead-Letter Laws in Chicago
Did you that it was once (not so very long ago) illegal in the city of Chicago for a child to climb a tree? Thanks to a poorly-drafted ordinance against “flagpole sitting,” this was the case. How many of us … Continue reading
Bowdler’s Day
On July 11 of each year, we recognize the birth of the man whose name has literally become synonymous with censorship. In 1807, Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and philanthropist, published a volume titled The Family Shakespeare–essentially, a censored edition of Shakespeare’s works. … Continue reading
The Case of Celestial Copyright
The facts of this case sound more like an argument your friends might have over a bottle of wine than the basis of a law suit. If an alien came to earth and told you the secrets of the universe and … Continue reading
Fun With Government Documents, Part One: The Colbert Edition
Researching government documents doesn’t always have to be a dry, dull exercise – this three-part series should prove that point. We’ll start with the sublime, then work our way through some of the ridiculous. Let’s begin with two contributions from … Continue reading
The Case of the Black Friday Brawl
A shoving match with a police officer and human beings standing in something called a “cattle chute”? It can only be Black Friday, that feared and revered day after Thanksgiving when shoppers awake in the dead of night to fight over a Crock Pot. This case takes place in the wee hours of the night at a Wal-Mart in Philadelphia. Continue reading
The Case of the Costanza Doppleganger
Costanza v. Seinfeld, 693 N.Y.S.2d 897 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1999). It could have been a plotline from a Seinfeld episode. Michael Costanza sued Jerry Seinfeld (yes, that Jerry Seinfeld) alleging that the George Costanza character from the TV show was based … Continue reading
The Case of the Haunted House
Stambovsky v. Ackley, 169 A.D. 2d 254 (N.Y. App. Div. 1991). If you didn’t get to this one as a 1L, you’ll want to read it now, if only for this quote: “as a matter of law, the house is haunted.” … Continue reading
The Case of the Fraudulent Coke
Oshana v. Coca-Cola, 472 F.3d 506 (7th Cir. 2006). Did you know that Diet Coke from a fountain and Diet Coke from a can are made with different sweeteners? No? Next question: do you care? If you answered yes, then you … Continue reading
Wanted in 50 States: What You Can and Cannot Do in Alaska on a Thursday
“You’re not about to fish from the neck of that giraffe, are you, ma’am? Not in the great state of Idaho, you’re not.” “Welcome to Ohio, sir. What brings you here this fine Sunday?” “Whaling.” “Take it someplace else, Ahab.” … Continue reading
