Litigation

In fiscal year 2008, the EEOC received 2,880 complaints of religious discrimination, up from 1,786 complaints received in 1998. In response to the substantial increase in religious discrimination claims, in July 2008 the EEOC revised its Compliance Manual and published Questions and Answers and Best Practices.

In the event litigation occurs, previously ignored boilerplate provisions may well determine who maintains leverage throughout the case and, ultimately, who prevails. This article discusses the applicable general principles and drafting considerations for some of the most frequently litigated boilerplate provisions.

Copyright Infringement/Parody Defense
Film Production Insurance/Green-Light Endorsement
Right of Publicity/Newsworthiness Defense

Malpractice Suit over Sound Recordings Is Reinstated
Counsel Withdrawal Motion Granted

The tangled bankruptcy mess created by former boy band impresario Lou Pearlman, currently in prison after admitting he ran a $300 million Ponzi scheme, has left a trail of out-of-pocket investors looking to recoup their losses.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the copyright infringement case brought by television networks and Hollywood studios against Cablevision over technology that allows viewers to record TV shows.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld a finding of contempt against associates, family employees and corporate successors-in-interest of music promoter Larry Marshak over use of the name of The Drifters vocal group. But the appeals court strengthened remedies that plaintiff Faye Treadwell, widow of former Drifters manager George Treadwell, had been awarded by the district court in the contempt proceeding.

Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.