Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
Comic Legends' Estates Say Pandora Streamed Routines Without License
In dual lawsuits filed on Feb. 7, 2022, the estates of Robin Williams and George Carlin accuse Pandora Media of willfully infringing the legendary comedians' registered copyrights in their "spoken word compositions" — their standup routines — by streaming the sound recordings that embody those routines without a license to use these works. Robin Williams Trust v. Pandora Media, No. 22-cv-815 (C.D. Cal. Feb. 7, 2022); Main Sequence, Ltd. v. Pandora Media, No. 22-cv-810 (C.D. Cal. Feb. 7, 2022).
The Williams complaint alleges that Pandora infringed 27 Robin Williams spoken word works (SWWs), which were included in the albums Reality … What a Concept and A Night at the Met. The 56 allegedly infringed George Carlin SWWs are contained on the albums An Evening With Wally Londo, Class Clown (including a performance of the famous — or infamous — "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" routine), Classic Gold, George Carlin on Comedy, On the Road, SOFA — Comedy Clips, The George Carlin Collection, Toledo Window Box, and You Are All Diseased.
Both complaints specify that the relevant sound recording copyrights are owned by major record labels, pursuant to recording contracts entered into by the labels with the respective comics, but that Williams and Carlin each retained all of their exclusive rights in their original SWWs. And both complaints allege that Pandora made the specified SWWs "available for dissemination to the public via their digital broadcast radio service knowing full well that it did not possess a valid license to publicly perform the [SWWs]," and that "[i]n addition to no license, it also made no royalty payments for the [SWWs]."
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
How Secure Is the AI System Your Law Firm Is Using?
In a profession where confidentiality is paramount, failing to address AI security concerns could have disastrous consequences. It is vital that law firms and those in related industries ask the right questions about AI security to protect their clients and their reputation.
COVID-19 and Lease Negotiations: Early Termination Provisions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some tenants were able to negotiate termination agreements with their landlords. But even though a landlord may agree to terminate a lease to regain control of a defaulting tenant's space without costly and lengthy litigation, typically a defaulting tenant that otherwise has no contractual right to terminate its lease will be in a much weaker bargaining position with respect to the conditions for termination.
Pleading Importation: ITC Decisions Highlight Need for Adequate Evidentiary Support
The International Trade Commission is empowered to block the importation into the United States of products that infringe U.S. intellectual property rights, In the past, the ITC generally instituted investigations without questioning the importation allegations in the complaint, however in several recent cases, the ITC declined to institute an investigation as to certain proposed respondents due to inadequate pleading of importation.
The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies
Practical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.
Authentic Communications Today Increase Success for Value-Driven Clients
As the relationship between in-house and outside counsel continues to evolve, lawyers must continue to foster a client-first mindset, offer business-focused solutions, and embrace technology that helps deliver work faster and more efficiently.