News Briefs -- October 30, 2010

CHICAGO:  "A group of hedge funds sued the four banks that funded Tribune Co.’s 2007 leveraged buyout, alleging that the lenders knowingly rendered the company insolvent and precipitated its 2008 bankruptcy."

PERTH:  "ASX-listed Macarthur Coal on Thursday advised shareholders that two of its subsidiaries, Monto Coal and Monto Coal 2, have been served with a claim for damages of A$1,2-billion for breach of contract."

LOS ANGELES:  "The legal fight over whether the 2007 film Disturbia is a rip-off of an Alfred Hitchcock classic is far from being in the, um, rear window."

HARTFORD:  "As [Connecticut] voters go to the polls this week to select a new attorney general, they also will choose a new direction for how the state handles claims involving public construction projects."

NEW YORK CITY:  "New York Surf Film Festival co-founder Morgan Berk has filed a lawsuit against the other three founding parties, seeking damages for trademark infringement, defamation and breach of contract."

TEL AVIV:  "The Turkish government and military have suspended all major defense orders and most follow-up contracts with Israel."

FGS