Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Cameo Clips

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
February 24, 2005

Claims Over Concepts/
Copyright Preemption

The Copyright Act preempted claims alleging conversion and unjust enrichment over use of the plaintiff's concepts for fashion design and a television show, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York held. Stewart v. World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. (WWE), O3 CV 2468 (RLC). But the court concluded that the plaintiff could proceed with his claims for misappropriation, breach of confidential relationship and breach of implied contract. Fashion designer Calvin Stewart alleged that he had a series of discussions with the defendants regarding his ideas for new lingerie fashions bearing the WWE logo as well as his concept for a fashion video. Stewart filed suit after the defendants ended the discussions, aired the cable show “WWE Divas Lingerie” and allegedly began using the lingerie concepts in their New York City restaurant. In line with the established view in the Second Circuit, the federal appellate jurisdiction within which the Southern District resides, the Manhattan federal district court determined that the unjust enrichment claim wasn't qualitatively different from a copyright infringement claim because it alleged that the defendants had gained from use of Stewart's materials without his permission. The district court found the same for Stewart's conversion claim.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.