Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

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

Entertainment Law & FinanceLJN NewslettersNewsSections

First Circuit Finds Infringement in TV Sitcom

By Stan Soocher

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit decided that actor Emmanuel “Sunshine” Logro'o and a TV production in which he was a principal infringed on the copyright for the plaintiff production company's TV situation comedy. TMTV Corp. v. Mass Productions Inc., 09-1439. In addition to substantial similarity, the case involved issues of authorship, work for hire and a reduction in infringement damages.

Logro'o had been approached in 1997 by TMTV's predecessor-in-interest to co-host a new variety show, De Noche con Iris y Sunshine, for broadcast in Puerto Rico. The actor then met with scriptwriters Roberto Jim'nez and Miguel Morales. Jim'nez raised the idea of creating a sitcom segment, which became “Pisos de Historia” about condominium residents. Logro'o asked Jim'nez and Morales to write the first several episodes. In 1999, Logro'o left the TV show to star in another program, El Condominio, made by his company Mass Productions and broadcast by a Televicentro affiliate. TMTV responded by suing Logro'o and Mass Productions for infringement. The U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico granted summary judgment to TMTV. (TMTV sued Televicentro separately, settling through payment of $700,000 of Televicentro's profits to TMTV.)

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.

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.

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.

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.