Sony Denied Implied License for Miller Songs
March 29, 2010
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee confirmed its earlier ruling that Roger Miller Music and Miller's widow Mary own the renewal-term copyrights to the performer/songwriter's 1964 and post-1964 compositions, which include some of his biggest hits.
Battle over Bob Marley Merchandise Involves Significant 'Image' Issues
March 29, 2010
High consumer interest in merchandise bearing indicia of deceased celebrity icons has spawned a constantly evolving litigation genre for determining the extent of rights of the icons' estates. The estate of reggae-music legend Bob Marley, who died in 1981, is among the most frequently litigated in the field.
Is Your Firm Ready for an IRS Audit?
March 26, 2010
The IRS has selected your firm for audit. Are you ready? You may be in for a surprise if you ever accept retainers, accept payment for services in kind, accept client trust funds, advance client costs in connection with matters you are handling, or have any service providers not on the regular payroll.
The 'New and Improved' FTC?
February 25, 2010
A broad survey of Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") actions and appointments throughout 2009 reveals priorities in enforcement efforts. For instance, the FTC initiated what some observers characterize as fundamental changes to its previous modus operandi ' changes that mark a more proactive approach on several fronts.
Bit Parts
February 24, 2010
Complaint over Oral Agreement for TV-Network Work Is Dismissed<br>Rulings on Song License Termination and on Assignment Recordation<br>Suits Proceed over Use of College Athletes' Indicia
<b>Expert Witnesses:</b> Exclusion of Expert's Survey Results
February 24, 2010
The entertainment industry is awash with the exploitation of merchandise products. Experts use different methodologies to prove or disprove allegations of similarities between goods. In a trademark dispute over merchandise apparel sales, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York excluded a plaintiff's expert's report that relied on a "sequential array" survey method to try to show that the defendants' merchandise created a likelihood of consumer confusion.
Ticketmaster Lead Counsel on Live Nation Merger Issues
February 24, 2010
The proposed merger between Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. and Live Nation Inc. won Justice Department approval in January 2010, following a year of negotiations. Steven Sletten of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher counseled Ticketmaster. In an interview, Sletten stated that he prepared his client to face a tough audience, both at the Justice Department and in the court of public opinion.
Cameo Clips
February 24, 2010
MUSIC COPYRIGHTS/INFRINGING 'WORKS'<br>TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT/RECORD LABEL NAMES<br>TV COMPENSATION CLAIMS/FEDERAL PREEMPTION<br>VIDEOGAME DEVELOPMENT/INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Forum Selection Clause Applies To Merged TV Company
February 24, 2010
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York decided that a forum selection clause in a television broadcast agreement applied to a company within which the original signatory broadcaster later was merged.
Expansion of Right of Publicity Continues To Create Tensions with First Amendment
February 24, 2010
Broadly defined, the right of publicity is a person's right to control the commercial use of his or her identity. It has been over half a century since the term "right of publicity" was first coined by Judge Jerome Frank in 1953. Since that time, courts have been struggling to define the scope of the right of publicity protection, and to resolve the inherent conflicts between the right of publicity and the freedom of expression embodied in the First Amendment.
