Features
<b>Cameo Clips</b> Controversial Ruling On Copyright Protection for Foreign Works
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a copyright infringement verdict against the great-grandson of artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in a fight over the right to reproduce sculptures created by the French impressionist. The appeals court noted that stare decisis required it to follow its controversial 1996 precedent regarding Walt Disney's copyright for Bambi. Although that ruling "can be, and has been, criticized, it is still binding in this circuit. We are thus bound to follow it," the court said.
Features
Broad Injunction Issued in Toy Infringement Case
In December, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson of the Central District of California granted Mattel a sweeping injunction that essentially shuts down MGA's Bratz operation. Larson ordered MGA to cease manufacturing, marketing and selling almost every doll in the Bratz line, as well as any ancillary product that makes use of images of those dolls. He also ordered MGA, at its own expense, to deliver all infringing dolls and products to Mattel for impoundment.
Features
Fair Value Accounting: Insights and Issues
This article examines the accounting principles and the framework underlying fair value measurements and clarifies the difference between mark-to-market accounting and fair value accounting. The article then examines the application of fair value accounting in inactive or illiquid markets, and in doing so, raises certain thematic issues that have surfaced in regard to this topic.
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Attorney-Client Privilege in Congressional Investigations
For a litigator accustomed to practicing in court, representing a client in a Congressional investigation presents unique challenges, as the rules, procedures, processes, and customs differ vastly. One area of stark difference is the status and treatment of attorney-client privilege.
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The Disappearance of Qs: A Knockout Punch to Securitizations?
Proposed changes to accounting rules for securitization vehicles will further challenge this already fragile market, threatening its role as a significant source of liquidity.
Features
Postnuptial Pact Challenge Goes Forward
In the first case to interpret the latest amendment to a perplexing New York matrimonial statute, a state judge has ruled that a Long Island woman may challenge the validity of her postnuptial agreement 12 years after it was signed, notwithstanding the three-year statute of limitations.
Features
Drug & Device News
Recent happenings in the pharmaceutical arena.
Features
Calculating the Damages
While some courts have allowed the use of race- and socio-economic-based statistical evidence when computing damages in tort actions, others have expressly rejected the use of such statistical evidence, questioning the appropriateness, reliability, and fairness of this evidence when used in this way.
Features
The Effects of Same-Sex Marriage on Employee Benefits
This article discusses some of the challenges in the arena of employee benefits under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. The discussion is applicable to California, Massachusetts and Connecticut unions, as well as to employers in any jurisdictions that employ individuals who have been married elsewhere.
Features
Practice Tip: Expert Witness Selection
This article briefly outlines the historical development of the federal rules relating to expert witness discovery, discusses evolving judicial interpretations of the scope of expert witness discovery, provides a sampling of federal and state court rulings as to various types of expert witness discovery requests, and offers practical advice in respect to managing expert witness discovery.
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- Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright LawsThis 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.Read More ›
- "Holy Fair Use, Batman": Copyright, Fair Use and the Dark KnightThe copyright for the original versions of Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse have expired. Now, members of the public can create — and are busy creating — their own works based on these beloved characters. Suppose, though, we want to tell stories using Batman for which the copyright does not expire until 2035. We'll review five hypothetical works inspired by the original Batman comic and analyze them under fair use.Read More ›
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- The Stranger to the Deed RuleIn 1987, a unanimous Court of Appeals reaffirmed the vitality of the "stranger to the deed" rule, which holds that if a grantor executes a deed to a grantee purporting to create an easement in a third party, the easement is invalid. Daniello v. Wagner, decided by the Second Department on November 29th, makes it clear that not all grantors (or their lawyers) have received the Court of Appeals' message, suggesting that the rule needs re-examination.Read More ›