Around the Firms
March 30, 2004
Movement among major law firms and corporations.
The Keys to Keyword Advertising
March 01, 2004
Until recently, courts have had relatively little to say about the practice of keyword advertising — <i>ie</i>, triggering Internet advertisements to appear when users search for a keyword identical to a competitor's trademark. Practitioners could look only to a single decision denying Playboy Enterprises, Inc.'s ("PEI") motion for a preliminary injunction against Netscape Communications Corp. ("Netscape") and Excite, Inc. ("Excite"). Now, four courts have recently issued decisions reaching starkly different results on keyword advertising practices, including a Ninth Circuit decision reversing summary judgment that had been entered against PEI in its litigation with Netscape and Excite. While much remains to be resolved, certain factors have been particularly influential.
If It Ain't Lawyering, It Must be Marketing
March 01, 2004
Few jobs in the world are more rewarding than the role of a marketing professional at a law firm. Where else can someone talk to the greatest legal minds, reporters from the Wall Street Journal and the General Counsel of a Fortune 500 company in one day? Add to this the situation where the concept of marketing is changing almost on a daily basis, and you have a dream position for a talented, visionary marketing guru. However, as any in-house veteran will tell you, some aspects of the actual job were not specifically mentioned in the job description. Professionals strongly lobby for grandiose titles such as Chief Marketing Officer or Global Director of Business Development when they first enter their firm. It looks great on a business card. It also really impresses people at your next high school reunion and can compensate for the extra 20 pounds you might be carrying since people last saw you on prom night.
Bit Parts
March 01, 2004
Recent developments in entertainment law.
Attorney Fees Update
March 01, 2004
Depending on the circumstances and the law, parties on either side of an entertainment suit may ask a court for an award of attorney fees. Following are court rulings from recent months that deal with this and related concerns. In this and future issues, <i>Entertainment Law & Finance</i> will report on such relevant rulings in Attorney-Fee Updates.
Liability Rulings In Lawsuits Over Injuries on Sets
March 01, 2004
Liability for personal injuries has long been a major concern for film and TV studios, given the history of injuries to crew members on production sets. Two courts recently issued rulings based on this concern.
Courthouse Steps
March 01, 2004
Recently filed cases in entertainment law, straight from the steps of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Cameo Clips
March 01, 2004
Recent cases in entertainment law.
Decision of Note: <B>Writer is Co-Owner Of Rights in 'Spawn' Character</B>
March 01, 2004
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that comic-book writer Neil Gaiman was joint owner of the copyrights in characters he created for the "Spawn" series published by Todd McFarlane. <i>Gaiman v. McFarlane</i>. The appeals court reached its decision by finding that Gaiman's claim wasn't time-barred.
