Legal News for Fri 9/6 - Trump to Appeal Carroll Verdict, Troutman Pepper Locke Lord Merger, Biden Pro-Union Infrastructure Orders, Nvidia's AI Patent Lawsuit

Minimum Competence

This Day in Legal History: Non-aligned Movement

On September 6, 1961, the first official Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) conference concluded in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Leaders from 25 countries, including India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito, gathered to affirm their commitment to remaining independent of the two major Cold War blocs—the United States and the Soviet Union. The conference marked a significant moment in international diplomacy, as it provided a platform for newly independent nations to advocate for peaceful coexistence, self-determination, and resistance to colonialism.

The Non-Aligned Movement had its origins in the 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia, where Asian and African leaders first came together to discuss mutual interests. By 1961, the movement solidified its principles, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. At the Belgrade conference, these ideals were codified in what became known as the "Ten Principles of Bandung," which called for disarmament and the end of imperialism.

The closing of this inaugural summit was a milestone in the broader process of decolonization and the emergence of a new voice in global geopolitics. It established NAM as a key player in advocating for a multipolar world order, allowing smaller nations to navigate the pressures of Cold War rivalries without being drawn into the conflict. The legacy of the 1961 conference endures, with NAM continuing to influence international relations today, with a membership that has since grown to over 100 countries.

Donald Trump’s legal team plans to appeal a $5 million jury verdict that found him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The appeal will be heard by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, with a panel of three judges appointed by Democratic presidents. This appeal challenges a civil verdict from May 2023, which stems from Carroll’s accusation that Trump assaulted her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. Trump also contested his 2022 post on Truth Social, where he called Carroll’s claim a hoax.

The original jury awarded Carroll $2.02 million for sexual assault and $2.98 million for defamation. A separate January verdict ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million for further defaming Carroll in 2019. Trump disputes the trial’s fairness, claiming that evidence of two additional women’s testimonies and a controversial “Access Hollywood” video were wrongly admitted. Trump also argues that the court ignored political motives behind Carroll’s lawsuit. This appeal runs alongside various other legal challenges Trump is currently facing.

Donald Trump to appeal first court loss to E. Jean Carroll | Reuter

Partners at Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord have approved a merger, forming a new firm called Troutman Pepper Locke, set to launch on January 1, 2025. The combined firm will have over 1,600 lawyers across 35 offices in the U.S. and Europe, with a reported $1.5 billion in combined revenue. This merger strengthens Troutman’s presence in Texas and boosts Locke Lord’s attorney headcount, which had been declining. Key leaders from both firms will continue in leadership roles. The merger enhances their complementary practice areas in energy, financial services, and pharmaceuticals, though some partner departures have raised concerns about potential client conflicts.

Troutman Pepper, Locke Lord Partners Approve Big Law Merger (2)

President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize companies that collaborate with unions and provide strong wages and benefits when distributing funds from key infrastructure and green energy laws. The move applies to laws like the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act and sets job quality standards for federal spending. The order builds on previous policies requiring federal contractors to pay at least $15 per hour and use Project Labor Agreements, now making such labor standards mandatory for private employers seeking federal grants. Companies with union-friendly practices, apprenticeship programs, and benefits like child care and paid leave will be favored in federal funding decisions. Additionally, the directive pushes agencies to incentivize higher wages for manufacturing grants, expanding beyond traditional Davis-Bacon Act wage requirements for construction jobs. A task force will be created to oversee policy implementation.

Biden Looks to Tie Infrastructure Cash to Pro-Union Policies

Xockets Inc. has filed a lawsuit accusing Nvidia and Microsoft of stealing its patented semiconductor technology, which offloads AI computing tasks to a data processing unit (DPU). Xockets claims this technology significantly contributed to Nvidia’s rise as a leading AI chipmaker. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, also accuses Nvidia and Microsoft of violating antitrust laws by avoiding direct patent licensing talks through a third-party intermediary, RPX Corp. Xockets alleges this formed a "buyers’ cartel" to avoid paying fair value for its intellectual property. Nvidia’s market value surged to $3 trillion, and Xockets is seeking damages potentially in the billions. The company also seeks an injunction against Nvidia’s AI products and Microsoft’s use of them. Nvidia and Microsoft have declined to comment.

Nvidia, Microsoft Accused of AI Patent Theft, Buyers’ Cartel (2)

Nvidia, Microsoft hit with patent lawsuit over AI computing technology | Reuters

This week’s closing theme is by Tchaikovsky.

This week's closing theme is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture, which premiered on this day, September 6, in 1882, in Moscow. Tchaikovsky, one of Russia’s most beloved composers, is known for his deeply emotional and powerful compositions, and the 1812 Overture is no exception. Written to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's invading army in 1812, the piece tells a dramatic story through music, blending themes of struggle, victory, and national pride.

Famous for its booming cannon fire and triumphant melodies, the 1812 Overture incorporates elements of Russian folk tunes and even the French national anthem, symbolizing the clash between the two nations. The work culminates in a grand, celebratory finale, where the Russian national anthem resounds, signaling ultimate victory.

Though Tchaikovsky himself expressed mixed feelings about the piece, considering it more of a celebratory commission than a personal masterpiece, the 1812 Overture has become a symbol of musical grandeur. Often performed during patriotic events, it remains one of the most widely recognized pieces in classical music. Its thrilling combination of orchestral power and theatricality makes it the perfect conclusion to this week.

Without further ado, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Op. 49. Enjoy.

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