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Parsing the Copyright Preemption Issue in Claims for Breach of Implied-in-Fact Contracts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently reconfirmed the long-established principle that, under California law, an implied-in-fact contract claim over an alleged promise to pay for use of an idea or concept isn't preempted by federal copyright law. Montz v. Pilgrim Films & Television Inc., 98 U.S.P.Q.2D (BNA) 156 (9th Cir. 2011). But for years, many studios have required parties to sign submission agreements that limit studio liability when ideas, concepts and scripts are pitched to the studios. Notably, the Ninth Circuit's decision in Montz was a reminder of the different approach that courts in the Second Circuit have taken in finding whether implied contract claims are subject to copyright preemption.
Ghost of an Idea
The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs
The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later
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.
Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations
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.
A Lawyer's System for Active Reading
Active reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.
Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the Rough
There is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.