The claims over the last few years by numerous individuals who allege sexual misconduct by comedian Bill Cosby have also led to disputes about the obligation of Cosby's insurers to pay for his defense attorneys and any eventual settlements or judgments. A decision by a federal district court in Massachusetts, where Cosby lives, addresses these disputes.
A Delaware federal judge dismissed a defamation suit by a rapper formerly affiliated with the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan who claimed media outlets falsely reported that he attempted a grisly act of self-mutilation and attempted suicide.
A few days before the Second Circuit published its decision ordering the dismissal of Flo & Eddie's closely watched class-action lawsuit against Sirius XM Radio over the use by the satellite provider of pre-1972 sound recordings, the Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments in a class action case against iHeartMedia over its use of pre-1972 sound recordings.
A federal judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction on February 22 halting a California state law that requires online entertainment database IMDb.com to remove actors' ages on request.
New York state's highest court has granted leave to appeal to actress Lindsay Lohan and former reality television star Karen Gravano in their suits over alleged misappropriations of their likenesses in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.
California Federal Court Rules in Favor of YouTube in Lawsuit over Removal of Artist's Music Video
Daman Wayans' Anti-SLAPP Motion Is Granted in Racial Harassment Suit by Actor
Lanham Act Doesn't Apply to Unauthorized Use of Roger Nichols Song in Political Ad
SXSW Conference
The Changing Analysis of Copyright Infringement in Music
The creative story-telling that fueled the passion of fans inspired a number of them to expand the Star Trek universe on their own through "fan films," which can challenge the property owners' efforts to maintain the integrity and appeal of their franchise. If unchecked, unauthorized derivatives could lead to an eventual loss of the copyright and trademark rights that underlie the value of the property.
Nearly 70 years after it became law, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in January on whether §2(a) of the Lanham Act violates the First Amendment. The case, Lee v. Tam, focuses on the provision that forbids registration of trademarks that "disparage" people, institutions, beliefs or national symbols.
Paul McCartney has long wanted to reclaim ownership of his share of the copyrights to "Love Me Do," "Ticket to Ride" and numerous other Beatles hits he co-wrote with John Lennon. But the unfavorable December 2016 decision by a British judge in a copyright termination dispute involving the 1980's hitmakers Duran Duran raised some doubts — at least in the minds of Sony/ATV Music Publishing and its counsel — about whether the U.S. copyright law rights can supersede valid contracts assigning away musical rights and also prevent Paul McCartney from exercising his termination rights.
