Another legal battle about who really owns Malibu - this time in name only - gets settled in the public's favor.

Note to all the California surfers, fishers and beach bunnies who have long considered the landmark Malibu Pier their own: The name that goes with it is once again safely in public hands.

After a two-week trial in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, an eight-member jury decided unanimously that the state Department of Parks and Recreation is the rightful holder of the Malibu Pier name and malibupier.com Internet domain name.

The story, by Martha Groves in today's LA Times, goes on to say the jury ruled unanimously against Stephen Harper, who tried to snag his own piece of the 'Bu after realizing the state had failed to register the name. Now, in addition to the pier itself, the words "Malibu Pier" and the domain name malibupier.com, belong to California.