Bit Parts
Summary Judgment Denied Defendant in Declaratory Action by Producer of To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway Play Seeking Amateur Theatrical Rights
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Bit Parts
August 27, 2009
Alleged Oral Copyright License No Bar to Infringement Suit<br>Musical Compositions' Valuation Upheld<br>Song Suit Against Destiny's Child Sent to Trial
Cameo Clips
August 27, 2009
COPYRIGHT JURISDICTION/ REGISTRATION REQUIRED<br>COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP/JOINT AUTHORS<br>KARAOKE RECORDINGS/COPYRIGHT DAMAGES<br>WEB SITE OPERATORS/PERSONAL JURISDICTION
Single-Publication Rule Applies to Publicity Claim
August 27, 2009
In a limited victory for publishers, the California Supreme Court ruled on Aug. 17 that the state's single-publication rule applies to the tort of appropriation of likeness. Christoff v. Nestl' USA, Inc., S155242. The ruling came in the case of a model who said Nestle USA used his face ' without his knowledge ' to sell Taster's Choice instant coffee for years.
Motown Magic Sues Willkie Farr for Fraud, Breach of Contract
August 27, 2009
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has been sued in federal court in Los Angeles by Lamont Dozier, the cofounder of songwriting and production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, which was behind hit Motown acts like The Supremes and The Isley Brothers. At issue: Willkie's role advising on an issuance of Bowie Bonds, the asset-backed security for song royalties sometimes called Pullman Bonds because they were popularized by the banker David Pullman, now chairman and CEO of The Pullman Group in New York.
Monster Magazine Covers in Biography Are Fair Use
August 27, 2009
In the movies, it seems that monsters are always up to no good ' making mayhem or setting fires. But in a federal court in Philadelphia recently, a couple dozen movie monsters made some important new law and set a few significant precedents in the area of copyrights and trademarks that may help to define the doctrine of fair use for years to come.
Infringement Suit Against Tim McGraw Is Dismissed
August 27, 2009
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee granted a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss on the pleadings a copyright infringement suit against country artist Tim McGraw.
Talent Boutiques Challenged By Business Downturn
August 27, 2009
The recession has hit an entertainment law sector that has undergone considerable change during the past decade. Boutique law firms that represent most of the talent end of the entertainment business have multiplied amid the dissolution of some long-standing firms and the departure of top attorneys who struck out on their own.
Gaining Confidence in Alternative Billing
August 27, 2009
Firms that model matter planning scenarios provide their partners and business development staff with the crucial ability to gauge up front how different approaches to pricing and staffing will affect profitability. Modeling allows firms to make adjustments before making their bid ' and therefore price alternative billing arrangements with confidence.
IT is Dead; Long Live IT
August 26, 2009
There is an irony to IT in law firms: Firms spend so much time on issues like IT infrastructure and upgrade projects that they spend too little time using technology to improve how lawyers work. Law firms cannot achieve real value from their technology investments until they change this model.
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