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<b>Decision of Note: </b>Copyright Law Preempts Singer's Publicity Claim
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided that singer Debra Laws' state right-of-publicity claim over the use of her voice in a Jennifer Lopez sound recording and music video was preempted by federal copyright law. Laws v. Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 03-57102.
Laws signed an agreement with Elektra/Asylum Records in 1979 that gave the record company the 'sole and exclusive right to copyright such master recordings' and 'the exclusive worldwide right in perpetuity ' to lease, license, convey or otherwise use or dispose of such master recordings.' Laws sued under California common and statutory law after a sample from her track 'Very Special' was licensed by the label for the Jennifer Lopez track 'All I Have.'
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Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the Rough
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Supreme Court Rules Rejection of Trademark License Does Not Rescind Rights of Licensee
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