<i>Commentary:</i> Amended Opinion No Cause for Alarm in 'Blurred Lines' Case Outcome
September 01, 2018
Over the summer, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a new trial motion and an order denying rehearing <i>en banc</i> in <i>Williams v. Gaye.</i> We now consider whether the final affirmance of the jury verdict in favor of Marvin Gaye's heirs is likely to wreak havoc on musical creativity as some, including the dissent, have argued. For us, the short answer is no.
Disney Claims over Party Characters Partially Dismissed
September 01, 2018
Disney Enterprises has been handed a setback in an ill-conceived lawsuit: Going after people who dress up as Disney-owned characters like Elsa from <i>Frozen</i> or Chewbacca from <i>Star Wars</i> to perform at children's birthday parties.
Professional Development: Overcoming Business Networking Anxiety: It Just Takes Practice
September 01, 2018
Coffees, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners and receptions are all part of doing business; they are also essential to attracting business. These situations, however, can be uncomfortable. But there are ways to overcome the discomfort. The following are a few tips that will help you feel prepared and confident in networking situations.
Attorneys' Primer on Video Game Mods
September 01, 2018
As far as software developers are concerned, video game modifications are not always a bad thing. The greatest cause for concern, however, arises when a modder creates a standalone game without permission from the developer — and then the new game takes market share away from the original.
Bit Parts
September 01, 2018
Katy Perry Defendants Denied Summary Judgment in Copyright Infringement Action Over “Dark Horse”<br>Former Percussionist for The Roots Can Proceed with Lanham Act and Publicity Rights Claims Against the Band
Counsel Concerns: Lawyer Ethics Rule In Play in Suit By Business Manager Against Rap Artist
August 01, 2018
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina dismissed a conversion counterclaim by rapper Chingy against his former business manager Leslie King, who is a lawyer, on the ground that the artist hadn't established that a royalty purchase agreement he signed with the lawyer was void for allegedly violating the state's attorney ethics rule. However, the district court allowed the artist to pursue the ethics rule as an affirmative defense in the underlying lawsuit the attorney's music company has filed against Chingy.
'Surrealistic' Suit Against Museum over Dalí Persona
August 01, 2018
The Spanish foundation that administers the intellectual property rights of famed surrealist Salvador Dalí is suing a Monterey, CA, museum that displays a permanent Dalí exhibition and uses the artist's name and likeness to promote it.
Compensation Issues from Cancelled Roseanne TV Show
August 01, 2018
It is rare that a hit network television series is cancelled, as recently occurred with the ABC series <i>Roseanne</i>. But when that happens, the immediate and long-term implications for the network, producers, talent and other entities related to the series can be significant.
