Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

Washington, D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a former executive with insider trading in advance of EBay’s acquisition of the e-commerce company GSI Commerce where he worked, by tipping friends and relatives with confidential information about the pending deal so they could attain more than $300,000 in illegal profits.

New York – Aeropostale has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against rival specialty apparel retailer H&M. The suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, alleges that H&M used the phrase “Live Love Dream,” trademarked by Aeropostale, on apparel and accessory items.

Aeropostale says it notified H&M of the infringement, but H&M did not cease using the trademarked phrase. H&M has not publicly responded to the suit yet.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut some stock awards and reduced outgoing CEO Mike Duke’s compensation package 73% to $5.6 million in 2013, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Last year, Duke didn't get stock awards that are given in anticipation of future performance, and his performance-based bonus was reduced, resulting in a compensation package worth about $5.6 million including a base salary of $1.4 million and a performance-based bonus of $2.8 million for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

Former Walmart CEO Lee Scott and Audit Committee chairman Christopher Williams leave some big shoes to fill when they step down from the retailer’s board in June.

Washington, D.C. -- The American Postal Workers Union will stage a protest in Staples stores across 27 states on Thursday, in objection to the office supply retailer’s opening of in-store postal counters staffed by Staples employees.

In 2013, Staples launched its postal pilot program, introducing in-store postal services that today includes about 80 stores. According to a report by the Associated Press, the union objects because the program replaces well-paid union workers with low-wage nonunion workers.

San Jose, Calif. -- Pier 1 Imports is facing criticism this week for its policies regarding leave for pregnant workers. Nearly 50,000 people have signed a petition from anti-sexism group UltraViolet to demand Pier 1 stop what the petition says is discrimination against pregnant workers.

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. and former CEO Kathleen Mason have settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by Mason. In the suit, Mason alleged she was dismissed from her position by Tuesday Morning after disclosing she had breast cancer.

The suit was filed in May 2013 and dismissed on April 17. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
 

By Amy Lally and Leah Abeles, Sidley Austin LLP