Apple and Samsung urged to make peace by patent trial judge.

Apple retail chief rehires employees he "mistakenly" fired, as brand's vision for TV set-top box becomes clearer.

Samsung launches Galaxy Note 10.1 in three major markets.

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange gets caught in a diplomatic stand-off as Ecuador offers him asylum.

Facebook shares drop to lowest point yet.

Best Buy founder presses his case for company takeover.

Budweiser sponsors Jay-Z documentary.

Heineken reportedly in talks with F&N to raise APB bid.

Macy's sues JCPenney over Martha Stewart deal after suing Stewart.

Nestlé loses bid to prevent sales of rival coffee capsules.Continue reading...

Occupy Wall Street should be happy with news that Wall Street bonuses will be way down this year and some success for Bank Transfer Day, while protesters in New York will be serenaded by Crosby & Nash in free concert today.

American and Alaska airlines complete world's first commercial biofuel flights.

American Express lures digital commerce startups with $100M funds.

Australia passes carbon tax.

Best Buy refocuses global expansion plans in new strategy.

Carlos Slim draws protests in Mexico by offering free TV on the web.Continue reading...

Allianz launches biggest global ad campaign to date.

Apple shares hit all-time high but lower than expected iPad sales disappoints investors.

Bank of America reports wider losses.

Boeing pares employee health plan, citing so-called ObamaCare U.S. health legislation. 

British Airways CEO calls for travel industry reform.

Chevron PR efforts get punked.

Disney takes over distribution rights to Marvel movies.Continue reading...

It is a fate that has befallen so many businesses in these hard times that it is not even news anymore: Another restaurant is closing its doors on December 31. But this isn't just any restaurant, it is New York City's revered Tavern on the Green, a Central Park landmark since 1934.

The restaurant declared bankruptcy in September and its one-of-a-kind furnishings and collectibles -- chandeliers, murals, weathervanes, and more --  will be auctioned off in mid-January. But here's the interesting part of the story: the brand could live on if the family of owner Warner LeRoy, who died in 2001, wins a trademark fight with the city of New York.

Both the LeRoy family and New York recognize the brand value of the name "Tavern on the Green," which is already in use on cooking oils, gift items, and restaurant memorabilia. That's why the LeRoy family has engaged Streambank LLC, an advisory firm that deals in intellectual property.Continue reading...

Faberge and Louis Vuitton market high jewelry in different ways, to much success. [NY Times]

Will a buyer shell out the case for the "Tavern On the Green" name? [NY Times]

Diamond Foods' Emerald Nuts gains market share, improves sales. [WaPo]

Bratz dolls live another day. US appeals court suspends court order demanding brand be handed over to Mattel. [Times of London]

Dell announces own corporate data center plan, aimed at competing with H-P and Cisco. [WSJ]

Tesco to offer a £20-a-month iPhone. [Times of London]Continue reading...