Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

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

Entertainment Law & FinanceKickerFeaturesTopicsCommercial LawLitigationSectionsNewsLJN Newsletters

Cameo Clips

By Stan Soocher

Copyright Preemption/Accounting Claims

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California remanded to Los Angeles Superior Court a complaint by actor Don Johnson's company for an accounting of 50% of the profits from the TV series “Nash Bridges.” Don Johnson Productions Inc. (DJP) v. Rysher Entertainment Inc., CV 09-1906 MMM (JCx). Rysher had previously removed the complaint to federal court on the ground that DJP's claim as copyright co-owner of the TV series was preempted by federal law. But the district court noted “federal courts regularly dismiss copyright complaints that present only questions of contract law. ' DJP's rights in the Nash Bridges copyright derive entirely from the [DJ/Rysher production and development] agreement; the case is thus essentially a contract dispute. ' [A]n action by a co-owner of a copyright for an accounting does not arise under federal law.” The court went on to find “DJP's unjust enrichment and conversion claims are based on defendants' violation of DJP's state law rights as a co-owner. Accordingly, DJP's unjust enrichment and conversion claims are not preempted.”

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
The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Beach Boys Songs Written Decades Ago Triggered Current Quarrel With Lawyers Image

There's current litigation in the ongoing Beach Boys litigation saga. A lawsuit filed in 2019 against Nevada residents Mike Love and his wife Jacquelyne in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that alleges inaccurate payment by the Loves under the retainer agreement and seeks $84.5 million in damages.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Transfer Tax Implications on Real Property Leases Image

The real property transfer tax does not apply to all leases, and understanding the tax rules of the applicable jurisdiction can allow parties to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary tax liability.