Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
The Story Behind AFM & SAG-AFTRA Royalty Fund Distribution Litigation
Eric Zukoski — a Dallas, TX, intellectual property attorney with Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser — has worked a side job as a session musician all his adult life. Performing gigs around Dallas as a double bass player, Zukoski spent much of his time associating with other session musicians. It was that connection that led him to launch a class action in New York state that resulted in a $44.65 million payout of royalties to over 60,000 class members, funds that had not been distributed in some cases going back a decade. Blondell v. Bouton, 1:17-cv-00372 (E.D.N.Y.).
The case revealed a gross lack of initiative on the part of the trustees and directors of AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, according to court documents. Zukoski's journey into the unclaimed royalties dispute began as a conversation with fellow musician Paul Harrington about his role on the recording "Timber" by Ke$ha and Pitbull. Harrington's performance on harmonica is the distinctive intro to the track. Harrington commented to Zukoski on how he was always hearing the recording everywhere he went, but all he got paid for it was the recording session fee. Zukoski has some familiarity with copyright law and told Harrington he was entitled to royalties.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- 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
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Why So Many Great Lawyers Stink at Business Development and What Law Firms Are Doing About It
Why is it that those who are best skilled at advocating for others are ill-equipped at advocating for their own skills and what to do about it?
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.
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.
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.
Blockchain Domains: New Developments for Brand Owners
Blockchain domain names offer decentralized alternatives to traditional DNS-based domain names, promising enhanced security, privacy and censorship resistance. However, these benefits come with significant challenges, particularly for brand owners seeking to protect their trademarks in these new digital spaces.