<B><I>Practice Tip</B></I>Choosing a Storage Format, Part II: The World of DVDs
September 05, 2003
In the March issue of this newsletter, I wrote a column about the different methods of storage formats available today. In this month's column I would like to show you how a technology originally developed for the entertainment industry ' the DVD, can help you manage the ever increasing data storage requirements of today's businesses.
A Word to the Wise
September 02, 2003
Discovery of electronic communications. Employees generally cannot live without it (if they hope to state a claim), but often cannot afford to pay for it. Employers can generally afford to pay for it, but resent paying to help a plaintiff make his or her case against them. This dilemma is only further exacerbated by the proliferation of electronic communications that has made the discovery of such information very time-consuming and expensive.
American Indians and Lease Transactions
September 02, 2003
There are more than 500 nationally recognized Indian tribes in the United States, and as a general rule, state civil laws do not apply to transactions in which they are involved (whether on reservations or not).
Inside the RIAA Suits
September 01, 2003
Until recently, it was generally believed that public relations and business concerns would prevent large copyright holders, such as record labels, from suing file sharers, who are also likely to be their consumers. Copyright owners have long avoided suing direct infringers for file-sharing due to obvious concerns: The cost and the negative publicity associated with filing multiple lawsuits against individual users would be overwhelming. However, this month, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed 261 civil complaints against people who have allegedly distributed copyrighted music on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
<b><i>Clause & Effect</b></i>Challenges in Drafting Clauses to Arbitrate
September 01, 2003
Parties to entertainment industry agreements often include a provision for the arbitration of contract disputes. This may be motivated by the lower cost and less formality than court proceedings that arbitration can offer, as well as the ability to keep arbitrated disputes out of public view. But the simple language of an arbitration clause can lead to challenges over whether the arbitration process was proper.
Bit Parts
September 01, 2003
Items of interest in entertainment law.
Courthouse Steps
September 01, 2003
Recently filed cases in entertainment law, straight from the steps of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Inside the Taco Bell Case
September 01, 2003
Competition in all aspects of the entertainment world - from television to movies, to the record industry, to the Internet, to the video game industry - has grown quite fierce over the past decade. The stakes are higher than ever. So is the demand for successful, breakthrough ideas. Consequently, cases alleging the theft of creative ideas are becoming more and more common. A recent case in which this writer served as plaintiffs' co-counsel demonstrates how substantial damages can be in lawsuits over ideas.
