The Struggle over Net Neutrality
March 30, 2009
In impassioned language more appropriate to international conflict, political debate or, at the very least, the cosmic struggles of comic-book superheroes and villains, a debate about "net neutrality" continues to rage in legal and business publications, on the Internet and in blogs throughout the world.
UPCOMING EVENT
March 30, 2009
Entertainment Law in Review: Recent Cases, Trends & Impact, Los Angeles, April 29.
Bit Parts
March 30, 2009
Film Rights/No Double Recovery Allowed<br>Music Royalties/Statute of Limitations<br>TV Affiliation Agreements/Promotional Payments
Rulings in Artist, Producer Digital Royalties Cases
March 30, 2009
The federal jury verdict for Universal Music defendants, in a suit over digital royalties brought by a production company entitled to a share of rapper Eminem's royalties, was a loss for artists and producers seeking 50% of a label's net revenues from digital download and ringtone sales of the artist sound recordings.
Pat-Down Searches at California Events
March 30, 2009
Numerous live sporting events draw large crowds and now the music industry has increased its focus on income from the live performance sector, as recording sales have sharply decreased. These factors have brought the controversial issue of pat-down searches of attendees at live events to the forefront, especially in the era of fears of terrorist attacks. The California Supreme Court issued a ruling in March that these pat-down searches might violate the privacy rights of event attendees. The two articles that follow include a report on the court's ruling as well as on the oral arguments when heard by the California Supreme Court.
Music Fans May Help Settle the Score in <i>Satriani v. Coldplay</i> Infringement Suit
March 30, 2009
A recently filed music copyright suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ' <i>Satriani v. Martin</i>, ' has revealed a new and unexpected application for the Web, namely, its potential as a forum for infringement analysis by amateur musicologists. Long before any party to this litigation will be required to submit expert reports or summary judgment briefs, YouTube postings have offered remarkably insightful analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of the parties' respective cases.
Gripe Sites: Sue or Stew
February 26, 2009
Grip sites tell a business what some customers think, even though their opinions are not necessarily those that the business wants to hear ' and certainly not those that it would want other customers or potential customers to hear. They could serve as a warning system to companies that their products or services are not being well received and that they are suffering from bad word of mouth. Gripe sites also, theoretically, add to the public good as forums for discussion and create better-informed customers. But there are, or should be, many other and better ways to obtain this information, such as through a company's own Web site and toll-free customer service numbers.
