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Columns & Departments

Bit Parts Image

Bit Parts

Stan Soocher

Mash-Up of Dr. Seuss/Star Trek Components Is a Fair Use

Features

Netflix Dooming Need for Foreign Presales Deals Image

Netflix Dooming Need for Foreign Presales Deals

Todd Cunningham

Foreign rights presales, which since the 1970s have been used by independent Hollywood producers to raise funds to get their movies shot, are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Credit Netflix for giving them a big shove out the door. So what does that mean for Hollywood's deal lawyers? Bigger rights deals — but fewer of them to go around.

Features

Drake Wins on Sampling Fair Use; Plaintiffs' Song Ownership Muddy Image

Drake Wins on Sampling Fair Use; Plaintiffs' Song Ownership Muddy

Vincent Peppe

While copyright registration normally constitutes prima facie evidence of copyright ownership, the court noted that the estate had registered the song copyright 31 years after it was originally published and only in response to the defendants' sampling of the song on Drake's album.

Features

Uncertainty in China-Hollywood Entertainment Financing Relationships, But Hope Remains Image

Uncertainty in China-Hollywood Entertainment Financing Relationships, But Hope Remains

Todd Cunningham

Uncertainty and the drumbeat of a possible trade war are ominous clouds currently hanging over relations with Chinese investors, several of Hollywood's top deal-making attorneys say.

Features

Supreme Court Won't Take 'Who's on First' Copyright Case Image

Supreme Court Won't Take 'Who's on First' Copyright Case

P.J. D'Annunzio & Stan Soocher

First the copyright infringement case over the use of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine in a Broadway play was dismissed by a New York federal judge. Then it rounded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, but was tagged out again. Now, in its third at bat, the lawsuit struck out with the U.S. Supreme Court declining to review the case.

Features

Primer on Industry Contingent Compensation Provisions Image

Primer on Industry Contingent Compensation Provisions

Michael I. Rudell & Neil J. Rosini

Much can be learned about the entertainment industry by comparing how those who perform services or license rights in their works are compensated under agreements to which they are a party. Some compensation in those agreements is fixed and essentially guaranteed, such as advances and flat fees. Other types, which are the subjects of this article, are contingent.

Features

Angry Fed. Judge Throws Out Song Infringement Suit Image

Angry Fed. Judge Throws Out Song Infringement Suit

Celia Ampel

A Miami company's decision to defend a small-potatoes copyright case all the way to trial paid off when the case was dismissed after a few hours — by an angry federal judge.

Features

Rebecca Musical PR Agent Liable, But Damages Low Image

Rebecca Musical PR Agent Liable, But Damages Low

Jason Grant

A jury has handed down a mixed verdict in the trial of a Broadway press agent accused of scaring off an angel investor who stood ready to save the ill-fated production Rebecca — The Musical.

Columns & Departments

Bit Parts Image

Bit Parts

Stan Soocher

California Talent Agencies Act Isn't "Vague"<br>Motion to Amend Is Granted In Dispute Over Sale Opportunity for Ben E. King Song Royalties<br>"Thin" Copyright Protection for Jokes

Features

<b><i>Counsel Concerns</b></i><br>Dr. Luke's Suit Against Geragos Over Tweet Survives Dismissal Motion Image

<b><i>Counsel Concerns</b></i><br>Dr. Luke's Suit Against Geragos Over Tweet Survives Dismissal Motion

Amanda Bronstad

Famed Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos will have to face a defamation suit over his Twitter posts implying that record producer Dr. Luke raped Lady Gaga.

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