Judges Punt on Legal Definition of Romance

It's not every day that references to He's Just Not That Into You and When Harry Met Sally show up in federal appeals court decisions, but this case is an exception. A three-judge panel of the Second Circuit struck down a bizarre condition that a defendant notify his probation officer—and his partner—if he enters a "significant romantic relationship." Who can figure out what that means, wonder the judges.

"For some, it would involve the exchange of gifts such as flowers or chocolates; for others, it would depend on acts of physical intimacy; and for still others, all of these elements could be present yet the relationship, without a promise of exclusivity, would not be 'significant.' The history of romance is replete with precisely these blurred lines and misunderstandings," reads the opinion. Then comes references to the movies. "Take that, Hurt Locker," snipes Howard Bashman at the How Appealing blog.
(More appeals court stories.)