…Total has had a month to defend itself in court against charges that it is responsible for the ruinous oil spill that devastated much of the Brittany coast in 1999…Total argued that there were no signs that the oil tanker it hired…was unsuitable…If the defendants are found guilty of causing pollution, they become liable to civil damages filed by the businesses. If the court goes further and establishes penalties for "ecological damages," the cities and regions will demand large amounts...Total...says it fears being made a scapegoat...