Expanding Law Firm Operations Globally
September 02, 2004
The June edition introduced numerous accounting-related issues that firms confront when they use foreign currencies. This new article raises additional accounting-related challenges of international compensation and taxation, while also highlighting the broader planning issues associated with a law firm's decision to expand its operations globally.
From Cradle to Grave
August 31, 2004
Bankruptcy lawyers may not get involved in their clients' transactions until it is too late. They may be called in only upon the occurrence of a default, litigation, or the commencement of a bankruptcy case. At that point, they are faced with deals that have been "set in stone" -- drafted and structured by lawyers specializing in the front-end, who may have looked at the transaction from an overly optimistic viewpoint, especially in the case of a long-term deal with another party that presently is in good financial health.
Generating Cash from a Patent Portfolio: An Overview
August 09, 2004
We have all seen the statistics: <ul><li>About two-thirds of today's S&P 500 market capitalization comes from intangible assets, having doubled in proportion from 20 years ago.</li> <li>More than $100 billion is collected annually in IP licensing income.</li> <li>More than $200 billion is written off every year from IP impairments.</li> <li>More than $300 billion in infringement (mostly innocent) occurs annually.</li></ul>
Net News
August 09, 2004
Canada Rejects Music Royalty Plan for Internet Canada's Supreme Court recently struck a blow to the music industry in ruling that Internet Service Providers…
FOLLOW-UP: CA Supreme Court To Hear 'Friends' Arguments
August 02, 2004
The Supreme Court of California has denied a petition for review by Amaani Lyle but granted defendant Warner Brothers Television Productions' petition in a suit filed by Lyle, a writers' assistant, over the atmosphere in the writers' room of the TV series "Friends."
Bit Parts
August 02, 2004
Recent developments in entertainment law.
Counsel Concerns
August 02, 2004
<i>This occasional column will cover issues in serving as a lawyer in the entertainment industry. </i><br>A law firm represents a film production company. But as organizing both the company and a film project proceed, the company fails to raise sufficient funds to complete the project. Later, the director, a costumer, a construction coordinator and a production designer hired to work on the movie file suit for payment of services rendered and goods supplies. The suit alleges fraud and conspiracy. The law firm and its principals are named as defendants in the action. Is the law firm liable in the case?
Courthouse Steps
August 02, 2004
Recently filed cases in entertainment law, straight from the steps of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Update On Webcasting Royalty Rates
August 02, 2004
In September 2002, the author published an article in <i>Entertainment Law & Finance</i> titled "Examining Arguments in Controversy Over Webcasting Royalty Rates." Since then, there have been major new developments. New rates have been set, although the controversy regarding prices to be paid by small webcasters is still being challenged. This article, with Part II appearing next month, provides background on the new rates, explains how they work and offers an overview of this new medium.
Clause & Effect: <b>Examining Validity Of Game Show Releases and Rules
August 02, 2004
Game shows based on contestants giving answers to questions often use releases signed by contestants to build in leeway into how those questions may be structured. What if a question has a mostly correct, but not the absolutely correct, answer? In the case of the TV game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," Richard Rosner, a contestant presented with this type of question, filed suit after he was eliminated from the show.
