Compliance Assessments
In the brave new world following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) ( Pub. L. 107-204 (2002), 116 Stat. 745), companies are struggling to meet the challenge of developing effective compliance programs. Many of these companies are diligently working with in-house counsel, external counsel, and internal audit and compliance departments to develop compliance programs that demonstrate a strengthened commitment to implementing best business practices, in order to realize the corporate "culture of compliance" contemplated by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Focusing on compliance not only meets good corporate governance practices and satisfies other corporate housekeeping needs, but also helps management prove to itself and its board of directors that the management team really does know what is going on within the company. In addition, proactive directors are using compliance assessments to demonstrate that they have satisfied their obligations as directors -- under the Sentencing Guidelines and under developing standards of due care. In each case, the challenge is how to develop and implement an effective compliance and ethics program.
Ethics and Compliance Training
Experienced counsel know to report to the Board about the organization's ethics and compliance training initiatives so that the corporation is protected under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The Guidelines require that the Board of Directors be knowledgeable about the content and operation of the program, and exercise reasonable oversight with respect to program implementation and effectiveness. The operational program manager must periodically report on program effectiveness to high-level personnel, and as appropriate, to the Board or a Board Committee. In addition, the organization must take reasonable steps to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the company's compliance program.
Counsel Concerns
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated sanctions issued against an attorney representing the estate of Tarzan illustrator Burne Hogarth, which had sued over rights in Hogarth's works following the release of The Walt Disney Co.'s animated "Tarzan" movie.
Courthouse Steps
Recently filed cases in entertainment law, straight from the steps of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Bit Parts
Recent developments in entertainment law. <p>This month:<br>Agent Commissions/Arbitration Awards<br>Documentaries/Defamation<br>Downloading/Default Judgment<br>DVD Distribution/Preliminary Injunctions<br>Tax Liability/Royalty Statements
Clause & Effect
Agency Agreements/Commissions<br>Recording Contracts/Copyright Renewals
<b>Commentary:</b> 'Unanimous' Vote In Grokster Has Split Views
In its opinion, the Supreme Court clearly focused the test for copyright infringement liability on the subjective question of the purpose of the software's distribution ' an approach that better comports with basic notions of fairness than that of the courts below. But read together, the plurality opinion and two concurring opinions raise a new set of disquieting questions.
Issues in Licensing Music for Podcasts
Even amateur podcasters know that there are legal concerns with podcasting music. As the law stands now, a podcaster must secure permission for every copyrighted sound-recording master. This would be extremely time-consuming and expensive ' even for NPR, let alone individual podcasters. On the other hand, acquiring the rights to use the songs embodied in podcasts may not be as big a problem because the statutory compulsory license applicable to the mechanical reproduction of musical compositions probably applies to podcasts. In addition, blanket public-performance licenses are already offered by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
<b>Decision of Note: </b>'Holla Back' Hook Not Infringing
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that there was no substantial similarity between the hook in the plaintiff's song and the hook in the defendant's song that would support an inference of copying
