Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Former BET General Counsel Plays Role in Actress's Lawsuit

By Stephanie Forshee
November 01, 2016

The longtime general counsel of Black Entertainment Television (BET) has a starring role in actress Gabrielle Union's contract case against the network. In a 17-page complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Union alleges she was duped into working on more episodes of her BET Networks show Being Mary Jane — without a break between seasons four and five to allow her time to continue to pursue her film career between the TV production schedule. “It is outrageous that BET would treat one of its biggest stars in this manner after all she has done to support the network and contribute to its success,” the lawsuit states. Union v. Black Entertainment Television LLC, SC126543.

Union's contract with BET, a division of Viacom Inc., includes a provision stating that it can produce a maximum of 26 episodes of Being Mary Jane per season. According to Union's complaint, Darrell Walker, BET's former top lawyer, told her that this clause could not be modified, but assured her she would do just 13 episodes per season because BET couldn't afford to do more than that and has never done so in its history.

The lawsuit goes on to allege how BET later decided to shoot back-to-back seasons with 10 episodes each, making for a filming schedule for 20 episodes in a row. Or, as the lawsuit puts it, to “cram all of the episodes into a single season in order to fraudulently extend the term of Ms. Union's contract, with no additional consideration.”

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • 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

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.

The Anti-Assignment Override Provisions Image

UCC Sections 9406(d) and 9408(a) are one of the most powerful, yet least understood, sections of the Uniform Commercial Code. On their face, they appear to override anti-assignment provisions in agreements that would limit the grant of a security interest. But do these sections really work?