Features

A Legal Primer for Making Indie Movies
While thousands of films are made each year in the United States and Canada, less than 800 were theatrically released in 2017, with many exceptional films failing to obtain commercial distribution because of legal issues.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Jerry Lee Lewis Gets Extended Discovery Time in Management Litigation Against His Daughter<br>Three-Year Statute of Limitations Argument Doesn't Bar Claims to Copyright Renewal Terms<br>Ticketmaster Prevails With “Striking Compatibility” Claim in Copyright Suit Over Ticket Bots
Features

Practical Impact of D.C. Circuit's Ruling on Foreign Broadcasters and Copyright Liability
Broadcasters around the globe know that Americans want access to digital content and that they often ignore who provides it to them. For business reasons, tax reasons or to try to avoid liability under copyright law, many of these broadcasters intentionally do not set up operations in the United States. However, when these broadcasters transmit content for which they do not have authorization, they may be in violation of the copyright holder's rights.
Features

Arbitration Impact on Attorney Fees and Film Company Principal
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed a district court's award of attorney fees to Sony Corp. under §505 of the Copyright Act for winning a ruling that a lawsuit over a Sony Music songwriting contest should be sent to arbitration.
Features

Commentary: 'Thin' vs. 'Broad' Protection for Music Works
The hotly disputed legal issue between the majority and dissent in the recent, highly-publicized “Blurred Lines” decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concerned whether Marvin Gaye's 1976 hit song “Got to Give it Up” was entitled to “broad” or “thin” copyright protection.
Features

Commentary: Smaller Space for Innovation Leads to More Infringement Suits
Pop musicians may be running out of creative space. And this problem is being exacerbated by the behaviors of what we might call the “legacy” interests — parties who own copyright interests in already-created songs but who won't be making any new music.
Features

Impact on Accusers of Court-Approved Weinstein Co. Sale
A Delaware federal bankruptcy judge's ruling in May approved the $310 million sale of The Weinstein Co.'s television and film assets to Dallas-based Lantern Capital Partners. The development was the latest blow to women who had hoped to recover against the company for abuses suffered at the hands of company co-founder Harvey Weinstein.
Features

Plot Thickens for Dispute over 'Star Wars'-Related Card Game App
In a lawsuit over rights to a card game with a pivotal role in the <i>Star Wars</i> saga, Lucasfilm Ltd. won an early battle against app maker Ren Ventures Ltd. when a federal district judge in San Francisco declined to dismiss Lucasfilm's claims based on Ren Ventures' use of various trademarks, primarily centered on the game Sabacc.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Brief Use of Graffiti Art in HBO's <i>Vinyl</i> Show Found <i>De Minimis</i><br>Chinese Film Company Subject to Personal Jurisdiction in Location Security Company's Colorado Lawsuit
Features

'Breaking News:' U.S. Supreme Court Buys Into Sports Betting in NJ and Beyond
The justices in <i>Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association</i> found the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act infringed on state sovereignty. The decision could transform sports and sports gambling from coast to coast.
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
- New York's Latest Cybersecurity CommitmentOn Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.Read More ›
- INTERVIEWIn this exclusive interview with International Franchise Association (IFA) chairman Steve Siegel, Associate Editor Kevin Adler, asks about policy priorities for 2003, and other legislative and regulatory developments that affect the franchise industry.Read More ›
- The 'Friendly Fraud' ChargebackThe abuse of the chargeback option has resulted in a "friendly fraud" epidemic harming not only merchants, but the very consumers the programs were designed to help.Read More ›
- Evaluation of Intelligent Discovery Processes by Squire, Sanders & DempseyDue to the high volume of electronically stored information, document review and production is often the most expensive part of the discovery process. In an effort to lower the costs of litigation discovery, Squire Sanders invested in an assessment of next-generation intelligent discovery tools and processes.Read More ›
- Landlord & Tenant LawQuestions of Fact About Whether Tenant Exercised Renewal Option Hearing Necessary to Determine Whether Landlord Can Remove Tenant to Complete Restoration Work Questions of Fact About Landlord Fraud Additional Security Deposit Constitutes Source of Income DiscriminationRead More ›