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.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- 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 ›
- Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult CoinWith each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.Read More ›
- The Article 8 Opt InThe Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.Read More ›
- Removing Restrictive Covenants In New YorkIn Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?Read More ›
- 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 ›