Legal

Illinois is dangerously close to making an already challenging economy even more difficult for thousands of small businesses with a new e-commerce tax. Lawmakers recently passed the measure without regard for the potential impact on Illinois' technology businesses.

Rugged Bear, which operates 32 children's clothing stores, joins fellow retailers Anchor Blue, Orchard Brands and Ultimate Electronics in the bankruptcy courts in 2011. The retailer has $10 million to $50 million in debt and assets in the same range, according to court documents.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer denied eBay's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Craigslist in 2008, and rejected eBay's contention that the lawsuit was precluded by the findings of a Delaware court.

BJ's Wholesale Club said that it's decided "to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company." That only confirms what the market has known for months: there's an auction going on for the retailer.

Wal-Mart has reached a deal in principle with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York that guarantees union workers will construct or renovate any stores that the retailer opens in the city during the next five years. The deal is a coup for Wal-Mart, which faces stiff opposition from grocery and retail unions worried that the retailer's entry into the New York City market will put downward pressure on the salaries of their members.

Thursday Friday, an accessories company, is being sued by Hermes for copying its Birkin bag design. We're not talking about replica handbags here — we're talking about a picture of the Birkin bag itself.

For the second time in less than a year, Groupon is facing a lawsuit from a disgruntled customer. Last week Anthony Ferreira filed a class-action suit against Groupon, citing that the company issues "gift certificates" with relatively short expiration dates, knowing that many consumers will not use the gift certificates prior to that expiration date.

The Federal District Court in Denver has sided with the Direct Marketing Association over the Colorado Reporting Law violating the Constitution. 

China said it's fining Wal-Mart and Carrefour stores up to $75,900 for overpricing, expressing concerns about price inflation ahead of the impending Lunar New Year holiday. A statement posted on the National Development and Reform Commission website listed about a dozen stores across the country that engaged in overpricing, noting high charges on items ranging from underwear to dumpling powder.

Michigan retailers took aim at the state's strict item-pricing law, releasing a study that concludes the regulation adds $2.2 billion to retail costs without providing tangible benefits to consumers.