Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
Counsel Concerns
When Weil, Gotshal & Manges litigators get tapped for an antitrust class action, it's usually assumed the firm is playing defense. But a bit of role-reversal paid off for Weil Gotshal in February, when a judge awarded the firm $16.1 million in class counsel fees and expenses, and signed off on a $58.5 million settlement payment it negotiated from the music performance-rights organization SESAC.
Federal District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan granted final approval to the settlement, which resolved claims that Weil Gotshal brought on behalf of a group of network television affiliates. Meredith Corp. v. SESAC LLC, 09 Civ. 9177. The deal capped more than five years of litigation over claims that SESAC violated federal antitrust law through its practice of issuing blanket, all-or-nothing copyright licenses to local stations. The $16.1 million that Judge Engelmayer awarded Weil Gotshal amounted to about 27% of the entire settlement amount.
Local TV stations that want to air syndicated shows, commercials and sporting events typically negotiate licenses with performing rights organizations like SESAC. Weil Gotshal's team, including Steven Reiss and R. Bruce Rich, alleged that SESAC made all-or-nothing licenses the only viable choice for local TV broadcasters, allowing it to jack up prices and force the stations to pay for music they'd never actually use.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models
Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.
Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge
As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.
Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator
How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.
Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising
The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.
Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality
This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.