(Subscription required) The court on Wednesday, acting on its own motion, released proposed rules amendments that would empower the state bar's commitee of bar examiners to oversee California's troubled bar exam.

A collection of Ford Mustangs referred to as “Eleanor” and featured across four films—including the original 1974 movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” and the 2000 remake bearing the same name—is not a “character” capable of copyright protection, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held yesterday.

The Court of Appeal for this district yesterday affirmed in part, reversed in part, and vacated in part the judgment and postjudgment orders in litigation among two founders of Trellis Research, Inc. and the corporation, declaring that the handling of the case in the trial court was thoroughly botched.

Presented annually by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, the Civic Learning Award recognizes schools that demonstrate measurable, schoolwide achievements in civics.