Dealing with Problems in Copyrights Bequeathed by an Author's Will
Bequeathing an interest in a copyright can involve a conflict between federal copyright law and state probate laws. The conflict may result in a situation in which it isn't clear whether the executor of the estate or the beneficiary of the specific bequest should deal with the property at various times. Specific terms in a will concerning a bequest of a copyright interest can avoid a possible dispute.
Decision of Note: <b>Grateful Dead Photos In Book Is Fair Use</b>
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York decided that incorporating several thumbnail reproductions of concert posters into the book "Grateful Dead: The Illustrated Trip" without a copyright license from the plaintiff archive constituted a fair use.
Bit Parts
Recent developments in entertainment law.
Hot Legal Issues In Video Games
The huge economic losses the entertainment business has sustained from unauthorized downloading by consumers has prompted a closer look at growing ancillary areas for licensing entertainment content such as mobile entertainment and video and computer games. And while the video- and computer-games industry has been hit by unauthorized trading by consumers, unlike the record industry, it has also achieved significant growth over recent years. <br>With this and intensified business competition has come a rise in contested legal issues.
Media & Communications Corner: <b>Managing Your PR Agency Relationship: Communication, Communication, Communication</b>
So, you've hired your PR firm, signed a letter of engagement on the dotted line, and put them to work. You sit back and let them get to it, and pat yourself on the back a little. And why not? You've gone through a rigorous process assessing the candidates, finding out which agency's culture fits with your firm's, hammered out the details of budgets, responsibilities, strategies, etc. Quite frankly, you're pooped, and, as far as you're concerned, your job is over, right? <br>Well ...
Scripting the Client Experience: How To Really Differentiate Yourself
I'm always coming across articles and books by marketing gurus about how you must differentiate yourself from your competition. Their writing is usually peppered with advice on how to "position" yourself and "brand" your practice. And many attorneys spend a lot of time, energy, and money trying to convince potential clients that they are somehow different (read: better) than others who provide the same service. <br>It's a fool's errand, and I'll tell you why.
We Should Get Together More
There's a marketing concept out there that many law firms have just recently stumbled upon, one that most other types of industries have known well for decades ' return on investment, or ROI. As firms become more sophisticated in marketing, as budgets for marketing increase, and as competition becomes more fierce, firms are beginning to demand that their marketing dollars they spend produce results. <br>Nowhere is the concept of ROI more easily implemented, tracked, and realized than in the area of Internet marketing, through the use of Web sites and the search engines that locate them.
Have Your Story Straight Before the Reporter Calls
There is acute tension between the do-it-now mindset of media-savvy PR pros and the generally cautious nature of lawyers. Eliminating the tension completely is impossible, even inadvisable. After all, the client's interests are sacrosanct, and overlooking those interests to get some quick press courts disaster. You can alleviate the tension, however, by taking steps to ensure a smooth process before you get that 3 o'clock call.
