Features
The Interaction of International Law and U.S. Copyright–Assignment Terminations
That U.S. copyright-assignment termination issues are among the most complex in the copyright field becomes even more apparent when attempts to reclaim copyrights involve aspects of international law. Few courts have ruled, however, on the impact of international law on U.S. copyright-assignment terminations. The most recent to do so is the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Ennio Morricone Music Inc. v. Bixio Music Group Ltd.
Features
When Boilerplate, Customized Clauses Collide in Media Merger Deals
Some contract provisions will necessarily be customized for use in the particular agreement, while others will be boilerplate. But the intersection of those provisions in a merger agreement involving the acquisition of Cablevision Systems Corp led to a serious dispute— and cautionary tale for the merger-laden entertainment and media industries — about interpretation of the agreement, requiring a Delaware court to determine the impact of potentially conflicting language.
Features
Limit in Supreme Court Striking Down Ban On 'Scandalous' Trademarks
In the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Iancu v. Brunetti, Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent cautioned that the decision is likely to pave a path to a "coming rush to register [vulgar, profane, or obscene] trademarks." The reasoning stems from the court's majority finding that a portion of 15 U.S.C. §1052 — which had previously prohibited the registering of "immoral" or "scandalous" trademarks — is unconstitutional. Practically speaking, however, this "coming rush" will likely not be the case, even via the entertainment industry.
Features
11th Circuit Sides With Attorney Sued Over Prince Concert Snafu
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit claiming a Florida lawyer failed to follow through on a $75,000 deal to land the late mega-musician Prince for a 2012 gig.
Columns & Departments
Players on the Move
A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.
Features
CA Appeal Ct. On Defamation Claims Against Bill Cosby
The California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, ruled in favor of actress and former supermodel Janice Dickinson in her 2015 suit against comedian Bill Cosby over comments his then-attorney Marty Singer made to the press.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Former Accountant for W.C. Handy Estate Can Proceed with Defamation Claims Against Estate's Trustee and Lawyer
Features
Cybersecurity In the Legal Space: Is Your Organization Prepared?
Organizations that continue to be complacent about data security ignore the considerable risks posed by a breach: extended downtime, loss of billable hours, destruction or loss of sensitive data and work product, and the potentially catastrophic costs associated with repairing the damage — both to their technology infrastructure and to their reputation and brand.
Features
GDPR & CCPA Are Just the Beginning
How Middle Market Companies Can Shore Up Their Data Privacy The most significant overhaul to the EU's data privacy policies in over 20 years, with extraterritorial reach, forced American businesses to remediate, and in some cases, overhaul their data privacy governance programs. But the GPDR was just the beginning. Organizations seeking compliance with the growing number of data privacy regulations will need to remain vigilant, especially for organizations that rely heavily on personal data.
Features
The State of the U.S. Privacy Job Market, 2019: Part Two
A Reflection on the Year Behind, the Years Ahead, and Why Privacy Means So Much to Us Part Two of a Two-Part Article Part two of The State of the U.S. Privacy Job Market, 2019 will outline what is happening within service providers, consultancies, and vendors will touch briefly on government agencies and will predict the near-future state of the U.S. privacy job market.
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