LJN Newsletters

  • "Potentially Monumental" Ninth Circuit En Banc Decision in Infringement Case Over Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"

    For the past five years, the copyright bar and the music industry have carefully followed the many twists and turns of the potentially monumental infringement case that asserted that the opening of the iconic Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven" was copied from the introduction of a little-known 1967 instrumental "Taurus," written by the late Randy California. In March 2020, a unanimous en banc panel of the entire Ninth Circuit affirmed portions of a prior three-judge appellate ruling that "Stairway" did not infringe the Spirit song — and in the process resolved some thorny issues involving substantial similarity and copyright scope that will be important for future litigants

    April 01, 2020Robert W. Clarida and Robert J. Bernstein

  • Kozinski Angle In 9th Circuit's Led Zeppelin Ruling

    Defendants Led Zeppelin and its music labels were the winners in the copyright decision by the Ninth Circuit over the song "Stairway to Heaven." But the estate of songwriter Randy Wolfe (p/k/a California) wasn't the only one who got the short end. Among the collateral damage from the ruling was a 2002 precedent written by former Chief Judge Alex Kozinski that endorsed the so-called "inverse-ratio" rule.

    April 01, 2020Scott Graham

  • CASE Act Explained

    The Copyright Alternative in Small Claims Enforcement Act is a proposed congressional amendment to the current copyright statute that would create an alternative dispute resolution program for copyright small claims and other legal proceedings.

    April 01, 2020Ryan W. Morris

  • A Primer on Rights in Video Game Avatars

    Recent lawsuits have grappled with the fair use of one's likeness in video games, attempting to apply established order to a changing field.

    April 01, 2020Andrea Perez

  • Bit Parts

    Los Angeles Federal Judge Tosses Out Jury's Infringement Verdict Against Katy Perry in "Dark Horse" Song Case Sales Agreement for Film Assets of Distributor in Bankruptcy Doesn't Affect Separate Lender for One of Debtor's Movies

    April 01, 2020Stan Soocher

  • Coronavirus Work-from-Home Response A Boon for Cybercriminal Exploitation

    Companies determined to protect their employees and minimize the impact of COVID-19 are enforcing travel restrictions and strong work-from-home policies. However those actions can be used against employees as any firms are likely unprepared for the criminal appetite for the cyberattack exploitation of a remote workforce. Here are some of the key issues of which law firms and companies need to be aware and steps that should be considered to minimize the risk to keep everyone — and client data — safe.

    April 01, 2020Mark Sangster

  • COVID-19: Threats Abound: How to Protect Your Remote Workforce

    The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the conversation around remote work. As more employees work remotely, law firms must employ security best practices to ensure that the extended reliance on the cloud doesn't expose sensitive data or cripple daily operations. Following is a practical checklist of systems, technologies and processes to consider when evolving your firm for remote work and selecting your cloud technology provider.

    April 01, 2020Tomas Suros

  • COVID 19: Selling in Times of Uncertainty

    The natural instinct during times of chaos is to move into a place of scarcity. The single best gift you can offer clients is courage and confidence about the path forward.

    April 01, 2020Debra Baker