In their desire to zealously represent clients, practitioners may often attempt to rewrite the Bankruptcy Code or Rules in motions or reorganization plans. However, recent opinions have taken umbrage with these efforts to conduct "practice by ambush" that either propose provisions inconsistent with the Bankruptcy Code or seek to deprive parties in interest of due process, or both. After all, fundamental due process " ... is the cornerstone underpinning bankruptcy procedure...A creditor has the right to rely on the Bankruptcy Code and Rules and to expect to be accorded due process of law in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code and Rules, and the United States Constitution." In re Whelton, 299 B.R. 306, 318 (D. Vt. 2004).
- March 29, 2005David L. Buchbinder and Kathleen A. Cashman-Kramer
Does subsequent new value need to be unpaid to constitute a defense to a preferential transfer under section 547(c)(4)? The issue arises when a creditor asserts the subsequent new value defense to a preference action, on the basis that additional credit (goods or services) was extended after the preferential transfer occurred, even if the subsequent new value was paid for by the debtor. With every decade comes a new wrinkle in the discussion on whether the subsequent new value provided must remain unpaid. The issue has been resurrected recently due to the frequency of critical vendor orders authorizing the post-petition payment of pre-petition debt and debtors-in-possession agreeing to pay reclamation claims in exchange for keeping the goods.
March 29, 2005Russell C. Silberglied and Kimberly D. NewmarchIn today's concert scene, high-energy music is often accompanied by audience members who engage in such physical, and sometimes dangerous, activities as crowd surfing, moshing and stage diving. What happens when a member of the audience is injured as a result of such conduct by another concertgoer?
March 29, 2005Stan SoocherRegardless of which business form an artist selects to handle general music business matters, the touring artist should consider forming a separate business entity under which to conduct touring activities.
March 29, 2005Jeff BrownThe U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that a songwriter's suit over the James Brown hit "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" was barred by the 3-year statute of limitations of the Copyright Act.
March 29, 2005ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |Taking an artist's act on the road involves a variety of situations giving rise to potential liability distinct from those associated with general music business activity. Overland vehicle travel ' the norm for all but a handful of prominent national touring acts ' is only the most obvious example. The range of activities that take place in presenting a live show, even at the club level, offers a host of others. Thus, an artist's representative should ensure the following types of insurance policies are in place before a tour begins.
March 29, 2005Jeff BrownLast October, President Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. This 2004 Tax Act amended nearly 600 sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), thereby making far-reaching changes to many areas of tax law. While the major focus of the 2004 Act was to provide tax relief for U.S. corporations repatriating earnings back to the United States, this new legislation also provided numerous revenue-raising provisions and tax cuts that affected corporate and individual taxpayers and special interest groups, from film producers to owners of sports teams.
March 29, 2005Robert M. Jason and Olga LoySuccessful and interesting presentations are a challenge, but they are not impossible to achieve. They require a lot of planning and forethought, but the rewards (an educated, entertained, persuaded and engaged audience) make it well worth the effort. One of the most effective and powerful tools available for effective presentations is Microsoft's PowerPoint.
March 17, 2005Sarita Livit

