California View: Can <i>Pok'mon Go</i> Players Hold Game Developer Liable?
September 01, 2016
Within the first week of its release, the enhanced-reality game <i>Pok'mon Go</i> garnered 21 million users in the United States alone. The location-based game received praise for getting people out of the house and harsh criticism as a nuisance and for its role in accidents. Among the litany of legal issues the game raises is whether players can hold the game developers at Niantic liable if they walk off cliffs, crash their cars, illegally cross the border or happen upon a land mine.
Bit Parts
September 01, 2016
Artist Merchandise-Approval Form Doesn't Shield Live Nation From Liability for Willful Infringement of Photographer's Works<br>Country Artist Wins Attorney Fees After Prevailing in Record Label's End-Run Copyright Suit<br>District Court in Fourth Circuit Decides Copyright Office Must Act on Registration Application Before Plaintiff Can Proceed With Infringement Suit<br>
Don't Ignore Liquor License Issues in Real Estate Transactions
September 01, 2016
When representing a client in core real estate work, alcohol may be the last thing an attorney is likely to take into consideration. But as with many other business considerations related to the use of real property, liquor licensing issues can significantly impact real estate transactions.
Entertainment Industry Average GC Cash Salary Dominates Top Tier
September 01, 2016
In 2016, according to ALM Legal Intelligence's list of the top 100 highest paid general counsel at major corporations, two of the top five hail from the entertainment industry. This continues a trend over the last four years whereby entertainment industry general counsel have found themselves at or near the top of the list when examined by multiple measures.
<i>Pok'mon Go</i> Raises a Variety of Liability Issues
September 01, 2016
Every generation has its own new fads, which can sweep across the country, if not the world, seemingly from nowhere, capturing the imagination and attention of millions. With the exception of a few fads, these activities, however brilliant or mindless, do not create legal issues and potential litigation involving those who participate. <i>Pok'mon Go</i> is one of those exceptions.
Copyrightable Karaoke Tracks Not Protected By Trademark Act
September 01, 2016
Slep-Tone Entertainment Corporation and its successor in interest, Phoenix Entertainment Partners, filed more than 150 Lanham Act suits throughout the country. The suits alleged that defendants had committed trademark infringement by making unauthorized copies and performing commercial karaoke files containing Slep-Tone's registered trademark "Sound Choice" and graphically displayed trade dress.
IP Protection Issues in Brexit
September 01, 2016
Entertainment companies routinely enter into international transactions that involve intellectual property (IP) rights. What is the impact of the United Kingdom's vote to exit the European Union (EU) on these IP rights, specifically on patent and trademark rights.
Upcoming Event
August 31, 2016
Improving Your Odds in Entertainment and Sports Law
Personal Jurisdiction Roundup
August 01, 2016
The issue of whether a court has personal jurisdiction over a party in an entertainment industry lawsuit is determined, as in other types of litigation, on a state-by-state basis, subject to whether this jurisdiction meets due process. The case outcomes vary.
