This commentary provides some preliminary thoughts on how equity investments in non-U.S. law firms may change how U.S. law firms do business.
October 29, 2007Michael Roch
The Internal Revenue Service has not weighed in on the proper tax classification of series LLCs. Accordingly, lawyers recommending this new form of entity to clients or considering a series LLC for an ancillary business of the law firm or other purpose should proceed with caution.
October 29, 2007Michael E. MooneyHighlights of the latest product liability cases from around the country.
October 29, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |Claims of consumer fraud are difficult and rarely succeed in the context of a pharmaceutical product liability action. They are, however, troublesome, because the pleading of such a claim often opens the door to extensive discovery of the company's sales and marketing departments. If the defendant cannot succeed in obtaining a dismissal prior to trial, it may still permit the jury to hear evidence of sales tactics and strategies that often paint the manufacturer in a less-than-favorable light. Companies should be aware of the potential for such claims and plan their sales and marketing strategies accordingly.
October 29, 2007Frank Fazio and Anne E. WagstaffPerformers' Names/Trademarks; Right of Publicity/Descendibility; Talent Agencies Act/Arbitration Clauses; Talent Agencies Act/Severability; Taxation/Film Manufacturing
October 29, 2007Stan SoocherA recent decision by the Michigan Supreme Court has provided more clarity about how a state court is likely to rule in asbestos cases alleging third-party liability. States appear to be looking more to the nature of the relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant.
October 29, 2007Karen R. Harned and Daniel BoschCOPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT/LACK OF ACCESS; COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT/SUBSTANTIAL SIMILARITY; COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION/DEPOSIT COPY; RECORD-DISTRIBUTION DEALS/DERIVATIVE-SONGS RIGHTS; RECORD-LABEL VALUATION/EXPERT WITNESSES; RIGHT OF PUBLICITY/FIRST AMENDMENT
October 29, 2007ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |From YouTube's perspective, taking burdensome steps to prevent the posting of potentially infringing content could destroy the business model and consumer goodwill upon which it relies. [Although YouTube recently announced it was tesing a new copyright filtering process.] This information sharing/rights protection dilemma is not solely limited to YouTube ' many Web sites and other service providers face decisions every day concerning the propriety of user-generated content. The U.S. Copyright Act may provide a critical solution to that dilemma.
October 29, 2007Jakob HalpernCopyright-infringement claims can go forward against Mary J. Blige, the 'Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,' the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, reversing a lower court determination. Davis v. Blige.
October 29, 2007Beth BarCopyright owners who are considering licensing their content for online exploitations must understand that they are venturing into still largely uncharted waters with few reliable partners. It's better than it was in 2000 ' or even 2003 ' but it's still not an entirely stable environment with dangerous shoals along the route. Don't assume that words you have seen in contracts for decades have the same meaning to your online licensee as they would to a court.
October 29, 2007Christian L. Castle