Legal news, some illegal. All of it interesting
1. Oh Romeo and Juliet, Nude-Scene Case Closed
What plight through yonder courtroom breaks? Tis the second dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the stars of the 1968 movie “Romeo and Juliet.” Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting (Juliet and Romeo) were 16 and 17 when they appeared nude in a bedroom scene. They claim director Franco Zeffirelli duped them and sued Paramount in 2022. Thus, with a dismiss, it died, partly because of the statute of limitations. The actors then sued Criterion after it re-released a digital restoration in 2023. Alas, the judge said oh happy dagger to this lawsuit as well. She says the actors signed consent contracts and spent decades extolling the film. Wherefore, case dismissed.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, here…
2. Farewell to Arms? Airport Sets Max Hug Time
When you’re leaving on a jet plane, it’s so hard to say goodbye. But a New Zealand airport needs travelers to try, try, try to speed things up when saying bye, bye, bye. Authorities are cracking down on national and international snuggling. They’ve placed a three-minute time limit on farewell hugs. New signs outside the terminal warn hug thugs who can’t say so long, farewell, in under three to get a room – well – a parking space in the car park. The airport imposed the cuddle cap after re-designing its passenger drop-off area. Officials say a 20-second hug’s long enough to release happy hormones. After that it’s just awkward.
3. Can’t Track This – Meta Bans Jet Tracking Accounts
Tracking celebrities’ pimp ships just got trickier. Meta refuses to be the wind beneath a Florida college student’s wings. Jack Sweeney became famous for his @ElonJet account on X. Using publicly available information, he tracked the private jets of everyone from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to Jeff Bezos and Kim Kardashian. But citing danger to those tracked, Meta deactivated several of his Threads and Instagram accounts. Sweeney says “this Zucks.” X had previously grounded his real-time tracking accounts, though it allows him to post with daylong delays. And don’t look for Taylor Swift’s jet stream. He stopped tracking her when she threatened him with a cruel summer (lawsuit).
4. Maine Is Pole-Arized Over Flag Vote
In the land of cell service – most of the time – Maine’s divided over its state flag. The banner yet waving features a farmer and sailor bookending the state seal of a moose and pine tree along with the state motto and fancy star on top. Voters will decide whether to replace it with a simplified design: pine tree and (less fancy) star. Contention has unfurled. Supporters say Maine’s flag is too cluttered. But opponents? They contend: I. It’s a woke push to get two white guys off the flag. 2. The star looks communist. 3.The new design is an “Appeal to Heaven” flag in Maine clothing.
5. Owner Shoots Own Cybertruck To Prove Bulletproof
If you’re going to shell out $100K for something that looks like a Pontiac Aztec, why not shoot it? A gun-toting (because of course he is) Cybertruck owner tested out Tesla’s claims the vehicle’s bulletproof. He fired into the back of the truck, leaving a bullet hole. However, Cybertruck passed the test because the bullet hole didn’t go through. Yes, shooting at something bulletproof could send fragments ricocheting into people nearby. But his bullets (he shot more) appear to have only dented, scraped and ricocheted off the vehicle and not into flesh. Schwew! Now he can drive his bullet-riddled vehicle safely to Costco. And that wraps up this week’s Duh Report.
