Features

COUNSEL CONCERNS: Legal Fees Fallout From WWE Litigation
K&L Gates is being accused by a Massachusetts-based plaintiffs' attorney — who sued longtime K&L Gates client World Wrestling Entertainment in Connecticut federal court and is now saddled with sanctions — of making exorbitant demands for more than half a million dollars in legal fees.
Features

California Court of Appeal Rules on Formerly Licensed Attorney Who Continued as Talent Manager
Conflict of interest is a red-flag concern when an attorney becomes a talent manager. But what happens when a formerly licensed attorney continues to provide management services for talent?
Features

No Delay for Weinstein Victims Trust Plan
A U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Delaware judge ruled not to grant a motion that would have stayed a liquidation plan setting aside $17 million to settle with those who have claimed sexual misconduct by former film industry executive Harvey Weinstein.
Features

Developments In Student Athletes' Publicity Rights
The rights of college student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their "name, image and likeness" (NIL) are finally being addressed. As…
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Eleventh Circuit Flirts With Nominative Fair Use Test in Alan Parsons Project Trademark Case
Features

Litigation Over Tom Clancy Works Involves Fundamental, But Complex Copyright Elements
Current copyright litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland involving Clancy's widow Alexandra and his former wife Wanda King is complex, but involves fundamental issues of copyright ownership.
Features

'Stranger Things' Copyright Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss
In response to a copyright claim in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that the Netflix series Stranger Things infringed on Irish Rover Entertainment's unpublished screenplays, Netflix and the other defendants filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the works were not substantially similar as a matter of law.
Features

Licensing Audits from Licensees' Perspective
The audit clause is a necessary means for the licensor to protect its interests and to guard against unscrupulous licensees. But it is a mistake to think that the clause is there solely to prevent malfeasance.
Features

New Small Claims Procedure for Copyright Disputes
The CASE Act fulfills the longstanding goal of the U.S. Copyright Office to establish a small claims court. The measure tasked the office with establishing the Copyright Claims Board and adopting governing regulations.
Features

Shareholders' Suit Over Video Game Developer's IPO
Two former shareholders allege in federal court that an auto-racing video game creator swindled them out of more than $200 million in stock.
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 ›