Disputes over Noise Levels from Live Performances
Noise complaints have long been an occupational hazard for venue operators, musicians and concert promoters. The surge in the electronic dance music scene has added to the number of complaints. What might be enjoyable entertainment to one person may sound like a thunderous racket to another.
Data Security Breaches
In April 2014, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey decided that the FTC could pursue a claim that a hotel company's failure to have adequate data security measures is an unfair trade practice. The agency believes that data security is a basic responsibility of any company that accepts consumer personal information.
Counsel Concerns
When Weil, Gotshal & Manges litigators get tapped for an antitrust class action, it's usually assumed the firm is playing defense. But a bit of role-reversal paid off for Weil Gotshal in February, when a judge awarded the firm $16.1 million in class counsel fees and expenses, and signed off on a $58.5 million settlement payment it negotiated from the music performance-rights organization SESAC.
Cybercrime
Just when you thought that it could not get worse for companies in the context of cybersecurity and privacy issues ' it does. Distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) are also on the rise. This article reviews the sobering news about cyberattacks and provides some tips when considering insurance for cyber risk in 2015.
Ninth Circuit Upholds Marley Estate False Endorsement Claim
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided there was sufficient evidence to support a jury's finding that merchandiser A.V.E.L.A. violated the Lanham Act by using the unlicensed image of Bob Marley on t-shirts and other merchandise in a manner likely to cause confusions.
Upcoming Event
SXSW Music Conference 2015 CLE Program. Austin, TX, March 20-21
Expanding the Playing Field for Video Game Lawsuits
Video game litigation is a hot area for entertainment lawyers in 2015, as more celebrities have sued over being cast as game characters without their permission. The spree is driven by a pair of 2013 rulings that sided with athletes depicted in college football games, lawyers said, as well as by the overall boom in gaming sales which has made the industry a rich target for plaintiffs lawyers.
