In case you haven't heard, McDonald's has spent the past four years suing two unemployed members of the anarchist group "London Greenpeace" for handing out leaflets which accused McDonald's of cruelty to animls, exploitation of workers, manipulation of children, the destruction of rainforest, and the serving of unhealthy food.

The decision in the case was finally handed down in the week of June 16th. The British courts decided that the two activists had violated their country's (unfair) libel laws, and demanded that they pay McDonald's the equivalent of $137,000.

But McDonald's victory was hollow, since they know they won't be able to collect the money (which the activists have refused to pay). And McDonald's had to spend over $22 million in legal fees to buy the victory. Not to mention the bad publicity.

As the anti-McDonald's activists left the courtroom -- to the cheers of supporters -- they said that McDonald's had been handed "the best justice money could buy".

Despite the loss in the legal case, the activists claimed victory, since the trial -- known around the world as a public relations disaster -- drew more attention to their claims than anything they could have done alone.

The judge in the case even agreed that McDonald's did manipulate kids, exploit workers, and were cruel to chickens held captive in their huge factory farms. The judge even suggested that a lifetime of McDonald's food might be bad for you!!!??!

Tales from the trial will be included in a future issue of ABJ -- don't miss it!!