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Features

<i>Commentary:</i> Amended Opinion No Cause for Alarm in 'Blurred Lines' Case Outcome Image

<i>Commentary:</i> Amended Opinion No Cause for Alarm in 'Blurred Lines' Case Outcome

Robert J. Bernstein & Robert W. Clarida

Over the summer, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a new trial motion and an order denying rehearing <i>en banc</i> in <i>Williams v. Gaye.</i> We now consider whether the final affirmance of the jury verdict in favor of Marvin Gaye's heirs is likely to wreak havoc on musical creativity as some, including the dissent, have argued. For us, the short answer is no.

Features

Disney Claims over Party Characters Partially Dismissed Image

Disney Claims over Party Characters Partially Dismissed

Jenna Greene

Disney Enterprises has been handed a setback in an ill-conceived lawsuit: Going after people who dress up as Disney-owned characters like Elsa from <i>Frozen</i> or Chewbacca from <i>Star Wars</i> to perform at children's birthday parties.

Features

Attorneys' Primer on Video Game Mods Image

Attorneys' Primer on Video Game Mods

Jeffrey N. Rosenthal & Ethan M. Simon

As far as software developers are concerned, video game modifications are not always a bad thing. The greatest cause for concern, however, arises when a modder creates a standalone game without permission from the developer — and then the new game takes market share away from the original.

Columns & Departments

Bit Parts Image

Bit Parts

Stan Soocher

Katy Perry Defendants Denied Summary Judgment in Copyright Infringement Action Over “Dark Horse”<br>Former Percussionist for The Roots Can Proceed with Lanham Act and Publicity Rights Claims Against the Band

Features

How Disney Qualified for Design Patent for Marvel's Captain America Shield Image

How Disney Qualified for Design Patent for Marvel's Captain America Shield

Lawrence E. Ashery

Fans of movies about fictional superheroes are probably familiar with Captain America and his miraculous shield. Recently, however, his shield showed up in a most unlikely place: the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Features

Counsel Concerns: Lawyer Ethics Rule In Play in Suit By Business Manager Against Rap Artist Image

Counsel Concerns: Lawyer Ethics Rule In Play in Suit By Business Manager Against Rap Artist

Stan Soocher

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina dismissed a conversion counterclaim by rapper Chingy against his former business manager Leslie King, who is a lawyer, on the ground that the artist hadn't established that a royalty purchase agreement he signed with the lawyer was void for allegedly violating the state's attorney ethics rule. However, the district court allowed the artist to pursue the ethics rule as an affirmative defense in the underlying lawsuit the attorney's music company has filed against Chingy.

Features

'Surrealistic' Suit Against Museum over Dalí Persona Image

'Surrealistic' Suit Against Museum over Dalí Persona

Scott Graham

The Spanish foundation that administers the intellectual property rights of famed surrealist Salvador Dalí is suing a Monterey, CA, museum that displays a permanent Dalí exhibition and uses the artist's name and likeness to promote it.

Features

Compensation Issues from Cancelled Roseanne TV Show Image

Compensation Issues from Cancelled Roseanne TV Show

Michael I. Rudell & Neil J. Rosini

It is rare that a hit network television series is cancelled, as recently occurred with the ABC series <i>Roseanne</i>. But when that happens, the immediate and long-term implications for the network, producers, talent and other entities related to the series can be significant.

Features

Issues Between EU Data Protection, Use of Blockchain Image

Issues Between EU Data Protection, Use of Blockchain

Justin Hectus & Kristy Sambor

Emerging technologies and regulations have the power to create, shape or kill businesses. For the entertainment industry, the European Union's (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and blockchain technology each embody forces that have the potential for profound impact. Taken in tandem, the GDPR and blockchain highlight the possibilities and pitfalls of disruption and the importance of cross-organizational collaboration in compliance and innovation initiatives.

Features

Behind MGM Suits Against Concert Shooting Victims Image

Behind MGM Suits Against Concert Shooting Victims

Amanda Bronstad

MGM Resorts International's filing of lawsuits against 2,500 victims of the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting at the country music concert in Las Vegas was an unprecedented move that has plaintiffs' lawyers accusing the entertainment conglomerate of forum shopping and defense lawyers scratching their heads.

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