Law Review Quarterly Q1 2005 is out, packed with news that affects your business

The Law Review for the outdoor and fitness industries has just emailed its second official issue, and you don’t want to miss out. There are reports that deal with cases that you need to know about since they could have an affect on the future health of your business.

Don’t know what the Law Review is? The review was launched in August 2004 by GearTrends® and SNEWS® as an online legal resource center. It covers risk management, insurance cases and law information with reports that serve the outdoor recreation, fitness, adventure travel, hospitality and sports industries.

In this new quarterly issue, you will find the following stories:

Wisconsin Supreme Court decision threatens businesses relying on releases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a decision reminiscent of the 1950s, effectively invalidated waivers (releases) in Atkins v. Swimwest. In a decision that is going to invalidate all releases in Wisconsin, the Court ruled that a release used by a swim club in conjunction with the registration statement was invalid because it was against public policy. — www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/cgi-bin/snews/02497.html

Skier who falls into a half pipe wins lawsuit
In an interesting and, to some extent confusing decision, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decided a ski resort was negligent in a slip-and-fall case. The person was skiing when she slipped and fell into the half-pipe — not normally where skiers go. The Appellate court reversed a trial court ruling and sent the lawsuit back to the lower court for trial. In Dunbar v. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Corp., 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 25807 (10th Cir. 2004) Camie R. Dunbar and her husband sued Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Corp. for injuries she sustained when she fell into a half pipe. (Fell into, not fell in, the half pipe.) — www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/cgi-bin/snews/02399.html

Patent Corner: A guide to December 2004 patents in the outdoor and fitness industry
With this issue of the Law Review Quarterly, we are launching a column on recently issued U.S. patents in the fitness and outdoor industry. On a regular basis — perhaps as frequently as monthly if there is enough patent activity — we will briefly review recently granted patents. The synopsis isn’t exhaustive but will highlight notable developments in outdoor and fitness products. Worth a peek, we’re sure! — www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/cgi-bin/snews/02494.html

Two Montana bills that attempt to alleviate liability problems for rec fall short
Two bills, basically identical, have been introduced in the Montana legislature in an attempt to alleviate the liability problems facing outfitters, guides, and the recreation and tourism industry in Montana. However, as written, the overall effect of the bills will be negligible. — www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/cgi-bin/snews/02434.html

As a SNEWS® subscriber, you don’t automatically have access to the Law Review, but adding subscription access is easy — at least if your subscription is an individual one and not tied to a group or corporate subscription plan. Simply log in at www.outsidebusinessjournal.com and click on “Manage Account,” then select “Renew/Purchase Subscription.” When the subscription selection page appears, you’ll see the top section includes a selection to “upgrade” your SNEWS® sub, along with the reduced amount your sub will cost when combined with the Law Review. Upgrading will nick your wallet for a mere $35 — or less, depending on how much time is left on your current SNEWS® sub. For group or corporate rate subscribers, send an email to snewsbox@snewsnet.com with “Law Review Upgrade Request” in the subject line, and we’ll get in touch with you right away about how to implement the change.