Upcoming Event
December 22, 2008
11th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Scholarship Luncheon
<b>Cameo Clips</b> Controversial Ruling On Copyright Protection for Foreign Works
December 22, 2008
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a copyright infringement verdict against the great-grandson of artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in a fight over the right to reproduce sculptures created by the French impressionist. The appeals court noted that stare decisis required it to follow its controversial 1996 precedent regarding Walt Disney's copyright for Bambi. Although that ruling "can be, and has been, criticized, it is still binding in this circuit. We are thus bound to follow it," the court said.
Protecting Interests If Another Company Files for Bankruptcy
December 22, 2008
As the Boy Scouts say: "Be Prepared." And in today's economic climate, that means prepare in advance ' when a contract is entered into ' to protect yourself in case the other entertainment-industry party declares bankruptcy. This requires a basic understanding of the extraordinary protections and rights that are afforded to debtors in a bankruptcy, particularly the right to void unperfected security interests and to terminate executory contracts. So forewarned is forearmed.
Broad Injunction Issued in Toy Infringement Case
December 22, 2008
In December, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson of the Central District of California granted Mattel a sweeping injunction that essentially shuts down MGA's Bratz operation. Larson ordered MGA to cease manufacturing, marketing and selling almost every doll in the Bratz line, as well as any ancillary product that makes use of images of those dolls. He also ordered MGA, at its own expense, to deliver all infringing dolls and products to Mattel for impoundment.
Los Angeles Affiliates Feel Fallout From Charges Against Marc Dreier
December 22, 2008
The fate of 74 lawyers in Los Angeles was unclear after New York lawyer Marc Dreier was charged in December with $100 million in securities fraud. Dreier, the founder and managing partner of New York firm Dreier LLP, was charged with one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, both of which involve a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Revisiting MLF 2008: What You Missed!
December 19, 2008
At the beginning of a new year, we always look back on the year that was. The Year in Review, beginning herein, will present a pared-down reprint of one article from each of the last 12 issues of MLF (six articles this month and six next month).
Third Quarter e-Commerce Report
November 26, 2008
The federal government's estimated third-quarter bricks-and-mortar retail and e-commerce retail spending are in. And there's good news and there's bad news.
Bit Parts
November 25, 2008
Crew Member Injury/Employee Status<br>Merchandising Rights/Film Remakes<br>Trademark Infringement/First Amendment Defense
Upcoming Event
November 25, 2008
Nashville Bar Association Annual Entertainment Law in Review, featuring <i>Entertainment Law & Finance</i> Editor-in-Chief, Stan Soocher.
