Documentation of Travel and Entertainment Expenses
June 30, 2010
The IRS guidelines for deducting travel and entertainment expenses are complex. This article will assist your firm in properly documenting these expenses and avoiding a potential tax authority audit.
Physician and Pharmaceutical Industry Relationships
June 22, 2010
According to a national survey of doctors published in <i>The New England Journal of Medicine</i>, 94% of physicians have "a relationship" with the pharmaceutical, medical device or related industries. A research firm recently estimated that drug companies spend over $20 billion annually marketing directly to physicians. With statistics like these, it is not surprising that the public is becoming concerned that these ties may influence how medications are developed, marketed and prescribed.
Bit Parts
May 27, 2010
Copyright Infringement Suit over Dreamgirls Is Dismissed<br>Louisiana Federal Court Lacks Jurisdiction over French Studio<br>Second Circuit Sees Different "Concept and Feel" in Cookbooks Dispute<br>Unauthorized Use of Photo on Fiction Book Violates NY Publicity Right
Counsel Concerns
May 27, 2010
Amendment Denied For Malpractice Suit Over 'Bowie Bonds'<br>Malicious Prosecution Suit Is Reinstated Against Manatt Phelps
Cameo Clips
May 27, 2010
COPYRIGHT DAMAGES/STATUTORY 'WORK'<br>COPYRIGHT JURISDICTION/RELATED CONTRACT CLAIMS
Mysterious Lawyer Is at Center of Suit Against Counsel To 'Superman' Heirs
May 27, 2010
Given that the story lines played out in Superman comic books are full of shadowy figures with dark motivations, it seems fitting that the real world legal fight over who owns the rights to the Man of Steel would feature such a character in a pivotal role. On May 14, Warner Bros. sued Marc Toberoff, the lawyer for the comic icon's co-creators' families, in federal court in Los Angeles, accusing him of engaging in a "scheme" to "enrich himself" by trying to wrongfully seize control of a substantial chunk of the Superman property.
Copyright Ruling on Photo Registrations
May 27, 2010
Talk about winning on a technicality. In a copyright infringement case brought by photographers who sued Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. over the allegedly unapproved use of their photos, Chief Judge Loretta Preska of Manhattan federal district court ruled in May that the works at issue had not been properly registered. Judge Preska threw out most of the photographers' claims in her 24-page ruling.
NFL Antitrust Immunity Bid Tackled By Supreme Court
May 27, 2010
The U.S. Supreme Court late last month dashed the hopes of the National Football League for baseball-style immunity from antitrust laws, with justices ruling unanimously against the league in a dispute over NFL-licensed apparel.
Suit By Author Michael Connelly Is Good Reason to Take Close Look at Film Turnaround Provisions
May 27, 2010
It takes a good while for a producer to develop a motion picture based on a book. A screenwriter must be engaged, decisions must be made about how to adapt the book into a film, the screenplay must be written and revised, and then an entire creative team must be assembled. For this reason, the producer attempts to structure the acquisition agreement with the book author in the form of an option coupled with a self-executing purchase agreement. The option period gives the producer time to complete development activities, and if the option is exercised, the purchase agreement transfers audiovisual rights without further discussion.
