Features
Suit By Author Michael Connelly Is Good Reason to Take Close Look at Film Turnaround Provisions
It takes a good while for a producer to develop a motion picture based on a book. A screenwriter must be engaged, decisions must be made about how to adapt the book into a film, the screenplay must be written and revised, and then an entire creative team must be assembled. For this reason, the producer attempts to structure the acquisition agreement with the book author in the form of an option coupled with a self-executing purchase agreement. The option period gives the producer time to complete development activities, and if the option is exercised, the purchase agreement transfers audiovisual rights without further discussion.
The Art of the IP Infringement Demand Letter
Often the response to a demand letter alleging trademark, copyright or patent infringement is the filing of a lawsuit by the alleged infringer for declaratory judgment of non-infringement. This article offers practical advice on language that can be included in a demand letter that may avoid giving rise to DJ jurisdiction. The article also discusses Federal Circuit precedent that creates a different standard in patent infringement actions.
Antitrust Issues in IP Settlements
This article discusses some common IP settlement terms that may give rise to antitrust liability.
Ten Issues to Consider in Launching a Social Media Presence
Intellectual property and advertising issues have emerged in the forefront of social media law. This article provides a brief look at 10 of these issues.
Features
e-Tailing Keeps On Sailing
e-Commerce sales appear to be continuing their slow upswing, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Figures for the first quarter of 2010, released last month, show estimated e-retail spending up 1.5% over the fourth quarter of 2009.
Protecting Domestic e-Commerce
As anyone, whether an attorney or not, might guess, the Internet has created in e-commerce more opportunity than ever for counterfeit goods to be displayed, bartered and sold. Human nature being what it is, an unprecedented number of individuals who feel that they are beyond the reach of U.S. law have fueled an historically high level of foreign counterfeit-goods transactions, resulting in many millions of dollars of economic damage to America.
Features
Point and Click
Those of us involved in e-commerce pay particular attention when online sellers are involved, such as the report that the same e-seller sold a gun or accessories to two well-publicized killers. This year, however, there is an additional legal twist.
Features
Court Watch
Highlights of the latest franchising cases from around the country.
Features
Q&A: Shannon Liss-Riordan Discusses Awuah and Other Issues
In this Q&A, Liss-Riordan discusses <i>Awuah, et al. v. Coverall North America, Inc.,</i> as well as the general significance of litigation about the classification of franchisees and wage-and-classification issues for employees of franchisees.
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
- Clause & EffectNet-Profit Rights/Movies Based on TV Shows<br>Insurance/Contract-Breach Exclusion<br>Insurance/Copyright-Infringement CoverageRead More ›
- A Lawyer's System for Active ReadingActive reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.Read More ›
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›
- Lack of Logo Placement At Center of Ruling Over Meat Loaf Album PackagingTo build visibility for its brand, a record label or production company will want its logo included on products containing its master recordings manufactured and distributed by third parties. This will be addressed in the agreement between the label or production company and manufacturer/distributor. The failure to include the logo may raise a host of issues, from the breadth of the logo-placement obligation ' such as whether it includes Internet downloads ' to the proper theory on which to base any damages and just which album-sales figures are subject to evidentiary discovery. A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ' in a long-running dispute between Cleveland International Records and Sony Music Entertainment ' illustrated how these issues may be argued and decided.Read More ›