It's true about the lawsuit. Beretta took over Vulsan and marketed the gun under the Stoeger brand name. Stoeger let go of the Luger (now Traditions ALS 2100) and replaced it with the 2000. The 2000 does not have the quality of a Benelli and parts are not interchageable except for a few small parts. The 2000 is also way less expensive than the Benelli's. It's a good gun for the money.
Franchi is owned by Beretta as well. They are imported by Benelli (as well as Stoeger). The Beretta A391 Xtrema is designed after the Franchi 612, 712, and 912 gas auto's. The AL 48 series are long recoil operated like the Browning Auto-5. The new I-12 Franch is inertia operated like the Benelli's. It's has a 2 3/4" and 3" chamber.