The plaintiffs in the potentially precedent-setting suit are relatives of six people killed with illegally obtained handguns, and a seventh person severely wounded with such a gun.

Stephen was furious over what he saw as potentially precedent-setting papal interference in his royal authority, and initially refused to allow Murdac into England.

The case may also have consequences far outside Hollywood because of Ms. Lyle's potentially precedent-setting position and Warner Brothers' equally novel defense.

Congress can also address publicly many questions about this potentially precedent-setting commitment.

Judge Aguilar is also presiding in a potentially precedent-setting patent infringement case involving Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft Inc. and Apple Computer Inc.

But the slaying in Bedford-Stuyvesant is once more in the spotlight, as a subject of a potentially precedent-setting lawsuit against the gun industry.

University officials declined to elaborate on their compensation demands yesterday because of the legal issues involved, but Webber's adviser, Fallasha Erwin, questioned the wisdom of Michigan's potentially precedent-setting move.

Mr. Fox, who was a 15-year-old high school freshman when he was wounded, is one of seven plaintiffs in the potentially precedent-setting suit; the others are relatives of people killed with illegally obtained handguns in six other shootings.

The museum has sued Mr. Gentile over trademark infringement in a potentially precedent-setting case drawing the attention of photographers, film makers and trademark experts.

His testimony formed the heart of the companies' case in fighting the potentially precedent-setting suit, now in its fourth week of trial in Federal District Court in Brooklyn.