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Columns & Departments

Bit Parts Image

Bit Parts

Stan Soocher

Texas Court of Appeals Won't Let Former Lawyer for Matthew Knowles Use State's Anti-SLAPP Statute to Dismiss Knowles' Cross-Claims in Legal Fees Dispute

Features

The Interaction of International Law and U.S. Copyright–Assignment Terminations Image

The Interaction of International Law and U.S. Copyright–Assignment Terminations

Stan Soocher

That U.S. copyright-assignment termination issues are among the most complex in the copyright field becomes even more apparent when attempts to reclaim copyrights involve aspects of international law. Few courts have ruled, however, on the impact of international law on U.S. copyright-assignment terminations. The most recent to do so is the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Ennio Morricone Music Inc. v. Bixio Music Group Ltd.

Features

When Boilerplate, Customized Clauses Collide in Media Merger Deals Image

When Boilerplate, Customized Clauses Collide in Media Merger Deals

James H.S. Levine & Douglas D. Herrmann

Some contract provisions will necessarily be customized for use in the particular agreement, while others will be boilerplate. But the intersection of those provisions in a merger agreement involving the acquisition of Cablevision Systems Corp led to a serious dispute— and cautionary tale for the merger-laden entertainment and media industries — about interpretation of the agreement, requiring a Delaware court to determine the impact of potentially conflicting language.

Features

Limit in Supreme Court Striking Down Ban On 'Scandalous' Trademarks Image

Limit in Supreme Court Striking Down Ban On 'Scandalous' Trademarks

Brian R. Michalek

In the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Iancu v. Brunetti, Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent cautioned that the decision is likely to pave a path to a "coming rush to register [vulgar, profane, or obscene] trademarks." The reasoning stems from the court's majority finding that a portion of 15 U.S.C. §1052 — which had previously prohibited the registering of "immoral" or "scandalous" trademarks — is unconstitutional. Practically speaking, however, this "coming rush" will likely not be the case, even via the entertainment industry.

Features

11th Circuit Sides With Attorney Sued Over Prince Concert Snafu Image

11th Circuit Sides With Attorney Sued Over Prince Concert Snafu

Greg Land

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit claiming a Florida lawyer failed to follow through on a $75,000 deal to land the late mega-musician Prince for a 2012 gig.

Columns & Departments

Players on the Move Image

Players on the Move

ssalkin

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

Features

CA Appeal Ct. On Defamation Claims Against Bill Cosby Image

CA Appeal Ct. On Defamation Claims Against Bill Cosby

Suzette Parmley

The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, ruled in favor of actress and former supermodel Janice Dickinson in her 2015 suit against comedian Bill Cosby over comments his then-attorney Marty Singer made to the press.

Columns & Departments

Bit Parts Image

Bit Parts

Stan Soocher

Former Accountant for W.C. Handy Estate Can Proceed with Defamation Claims Against Estate's Trustee and Lawyer

Features

Perspectives on Blockchain and the Music Industry Image

Perspectives on Blockchain and the Music Industry

Stan Soocher

A Q&A with Entertainment Lawyer Leslie Zigel

Features

Delaware Supreme Court Theater Ruling Addresses Party's Deposition Demeanor Image

Delaware Supreme Court Theater Ruling Addresses Party's Deposition Demeanor

Jenna Greene

There are difficult depositions. Unproductive depositions. Ones where people cry or are rude or angry. And then, as the Delaware Supreme Court noted, there's Carole Shorenstein Hays. The 70-year-old Tony award-winning theater producer's behavior during her deposition prompted the Delaware Supreme Court to issue a 20-page addendum blasting her.

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