Viacom (NYSE:VIAB) is fighting a legal decision. The decision is ordering it to pay $383 million to former shareholders of Harmonix Music Systems, the original developer of the Rock Band game line co-developed with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA). The ex-shareholders sued Viacom for allegedly manipulating Harmonix’s results to reduce performance-based payments owed to them following Viacom’s 2006 acquisition of the company.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford (NYSE:F) are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the issue of whether design defects contribute to excessive rust and potential safety problems. The problems are with 2003 Chevrolet Express vans and 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.

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Dunkin’ Brands (NASDAQ:DNKN) owned by DA Davidson has been upgraded to “neutral” and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) to “buy”, with the latter being upped despite the stock recently setting new all-time highs. Davidson says Starbucks should generate 20% earnings growth over the next 3-5 years. Dunkin Brands, however, is a pure valuation call after dipping nearly 15% over the past few months and trading at near-term lows.

Diamond Foods (NASDAQ:DMND) is spiking higher, apparently on a rumor that David Einhorn has acquired a stake in the controversy-laden company. Short-covering is likely playing a role.

Las Vegas Corp. (NYSE:LVS), Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ:MPEL), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN), and Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD) are hit hard after yesterday’s spike prompted by the Justice Department’s ruling, which increases the odds for online gambling legalization.

Sears (NASDAQ:SHLD) shares rebound a bit after yesterday’s news that it will close 100 or more stores. Jack Hough warns Sears may fall even further before long. Mass retail brings lean profit margins to even the ablest players: Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) and Target (NYSE:TGT) turned less than $0.10 of each sales dollar into operating profit in the past year, vs. $0.15 for the median S&P 500 company.

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