Entertainment and Sports Law

TexasBarCLE 32nd Annual Entertainment Law Institute

The rebound in concert tours and ticket revenues as 2022 has unfolded gives the live events industry hope for a strong 2023, too. For many tours, though, it's income from merchandise that makes the tour profitable. Thus, the rise in the number of artists touring also means a parallel resurgence in the activities of counterfeit-merchandise sellers and renewed efforts by the industry to battle its long-time problem with the sale of counterfeit merchandise near event venues.

The case of a session musician's unpaid royalties revealed a gross lack of initiative on the part of the trustees and directors of AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund and that the fund administrators had made little if any effort for years to distribute funds to thousands of session musicians and backup singers.

NY's update to its regulatory scheme for event ticketing principally affects the rules governing disclosure requirements for primary ticket sale prices and restricts the means of secondary ticket resale, including by expanding penalties for the use of scalper software "bots" and unauthorized ticket purchasing software.

One of the issues facing the esports industry is the classification of professional players as employees versus independent contractors. This issue is of particular concern for companies operating competitive esports teams and/or using the services of content creators.

A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.

A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.

Brian Wilson's Ex-Wife Wins Remand Back to State Court of Her Claim to Share of Revenues from Sale of His Song Catalog