Features

How Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration of Scarlett Johansson's Lawsuit Over 'Day-and-Date' Release of Black Widow Movie Might Have Played Out
Johansson alleges that, in order to generate new subscribers for Disney+, Disney intentionally interfered with her talent agreement with Disney affiliate Marvel Studios for her featured role in Black Widow — and thus allegedly induced Marvel to breach a promise in the Johansson/Marvel agreement for the film to be initially distributed in exclusive "wide theatrical release." Updated Oct. 1 to reflect a confidential settlement reached in the case.
Features

Procuring Talent Through 'Acquihire' Agreements
The gold in the gold rush in tech M&A is talent to develop and integrate artificial intelligence technology. Faced with a shortage in skilled employees, buyers are using "acquihires," a discreet M&A strategy that oftentimes flies under the news radar, to bolster AI benches.
Features

Court's Decision In Epic/Apple Battle Explained
The federal judge who presided over the antitrust showdown between Fortnite developer Epic Games Inc. and Apple Inc. found that Epic failed to prove the tech giant is a monopolist, but ordered Apple to allow certain in-app purchasing communications.
Features

11th Circuit Rules On Who Controls Copyright Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that its judges said could have come straight out of a telenovela, or Spanish soap opera.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Recording Artist's Attorney Prevails in Lawsuit Brought Against Her by Client's Record Label
Columns & Departments
Players On the Move
A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.
Columns & Departments
Upcoming Event
TexasBarCLE 31st Annual Entertainment Law Institute and Entertainment Law 101 Program, Nov. 17-19.
Features

California Federal Court Sorts Out Ownership Issues In Dispute Over Record Albums
Approval of all the co-owners of a copyrighted work is needed to grant exclusive rights to third parties. Despite that, any co-owner can sell that co-owner's exclusive ownership share to third parties without the permission of the others The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California recently released an opinion that considered the interplay of these copyright issues.
Features

Proposed Changes In UCC Address Virtual Currency Financing
Financial institutions are beginning to accept virtual currencies as collateral for financings. Could this become common for independent film productions and other entertainment industry ventures? This article examines the scope of UCC Article 9 with a focus on virtual currencies, taking into consideration issues of classification and perfection.
Features

Looking At NCAA Allowing Student Athletes to Profit from Publicity Rights
Amidst pressure from sweeping legislation across the country, and still reeling from a major loss at U.S. Supreme Court, the NCAA suspended all rules prohibiting student athletes from profiting off their name, image and likeness.
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