LJN Newsletters

Analysis of key rulings.

In-depth analysis of recent rulings.

Theatrical Productions/Minimum Musicians Required
Talent-Broadcast Contracts/Pro-Rata Compensation

This is Part Two of a two-part interview, coordinated by Entertainment Law & Finance Editor-in-Chief Stan Soocher, with Santa Monica-CA-based entertainment Henry Root. In Part One, Root, who has extensive experience handling legal issues for music-driven television productions, discussed considerations in clearing rights in, and determining fees for, songs and sound recordings used in a production, as well as how option rights for the music are negotiated. Root also began, and continues here, a discussion of the issues to be negotiated for a record label to waive its exclusive right to the services of an artist who will appear in a TV music production. Root also discusses copyrights in artist TV performances, reciprocal rights with record labels, holdbacks on exploitation, and warranties and representations.

A Look at a recent Donnelly Act claim.

A look at what's contained in this issue.

In April 2006, setting off in a new direction, the Appellate Division held that settlement agreements that favor a tenant can be unenforceable. Drucker v. Mauro 814 NYS 2d 43 (1st Dept. 2006). There was a two-justice dissent, but the appeal to the Court of Appeals was recently dismissed due to non-finality. Thus, Drucker needs to be looked at to gauge when a settlement is indeed a settlement in landlord-tenant disputes.

The Court of Appeals of Tennessee held that singer Bonnie Bramlett could terminate her relation with a royalty-collection firm, which would then be obligated to tell the royalty-paying companies to submit the artist royalties directly to Bramlett. Sheridan Music Group Inc. (SMG) v. Bramlett.