Litigation

Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.

In a recent published decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit addressed a previously unresolved question in that circuit: whether a debtor's failure to properly schedule a debt in an "asset case" renders the debt nondischargeable.

No Release of Escrow When Questions of Fact Remain About Breach Questions of Fact Remain About Delay In Enforcing Easements Merger Doctrine Bars Buyer's Breach of Contract Claim Partition Claim Premature Without Judicial Investigation Reciprocal Easement Requires Cost-Sharing Secretary of State Not Required to Adopt Inspection Regulations

Landlord Not Entitled To Lock Out Subtenant Landlord Did Not Release Tenant from Rent Obligation Allowable Rent Increases Permitted Luxury Decontrol

Rule 9031 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure prevents all bankruptcy judges, and, if broadly interpreted, any federal judge hearing bankruptcy cases and proceedings, from appointing special masters. The rule has not been amended since its adoption in 1983. It is outdated and should be repealed or amended to accord with the reality of today's complex Chapter 11 cases.

In a 4-3 decision on June 13, the New Jersey Supreme Court reversed an Appellate Division opinion in a slip-and-fall case, concluding that all commercial landowners have a duty to maintain public sidewalks and are liable to pedestrians who are injured as a result of their negligent failure to do so.

An influential appellate court has agreed to take up a bankruptcy involving the controversial "Texas two-step," potentially deciding the merger tactic's fate in future Chapter 11 cases. The Fourth Circuit agreed to hear a petition to dismiss the bankruptcy of Bestwall, a subsidiary of Koch Industries-owned Georgia-Pacific, created through a "Texas two-step" to resolve 60,000 lawsuits over asbestos exposure.

Music Publishers' Nashville Lawsuit Over Alleged Use of Lyrics in AI Generative Program Is Sent to California Federal Court New York Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Fashion Model's Publicity Right Claim Over Ralph Lauren Documentary New York Federal Court Applies Written Contracts Clause to Determine Intent in Implied TV-Distribution License Dispute