Fair Use Decision on Van Halen ‘Frankenstein’ Guitar Photo
December 01, 2025
Early in Van Halen’s career, Neil Zlozower shot photos of the music group at Sunset Sound Studios with Eddie holding his famous "Frankenstein" guitar. Years later, Zlozower sued the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, alleging copyright infringement after the institution included two of his Van Halen photos, unlicensed from and uncredited to Zlozower, in exhibits at the museum.
Holes in U.S. Copyright Office’s Guidance for AI-Assisted Works
December 01, 2025
When can an artist using AI tools copyright their work? Earlier this year, the Copyright Office addressed the issue and rejected the proposition that only prompting an AI model can create a copyrightable work. But Copyright Office’s analysis missed that “randomness” for a computer means something entirely different than we generally think, ultimately underselling the amount of control someone can have over a model’s output.
Fresh Filings
December 01, 2025
Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.
UMG’s Settlement With AI Music Platform May Prove Precedential In Copyright Cases
December 01, 2025
The world’s largest music label, Universal Music Group, has announced it reached a settlement with artificial intelligence music platform Udio in a copyright infringement suit — a decision that attorneys specializing in AI, intellectual property and entertainment law say may prove precedential down the line as artists in both the entertainment and publishing industries continue to navigate the question of fair use in pending litigation against AI firms.
Players On the Move
December 01, 2025
A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.
Trends In Patent Policy and Enforcement: What Cybersecurity Companies Need to Know
November 01, 2025
Forward-thinking cybersecurity companies should recognize that the patent world is at a moment of change. A tremendous amount of thought, financial investment, and political capital is being devoted to transforming patents into assets that are central to the economy, international trade, and national defense. The incentives for obtaining and aggressively monetizing patents are increasing. Companies that take steps now to navigate these changes may be rewarded with significant competitive advantages.
FCC Regulatory Issues in Today’s M&A Media World
October 31, 2025
We are in a frenzied time for merger and acquisition (M&A) activities for companies in the entertainment and communications industries. These are intricate endeavors, often involving fast-paced negotiations, complex due diligence and the navigation of multiple regulatory frameworks. Among these, compliance with FCC regulations represents a significant and frequently underestimated challenge in deals involving companies with FCC authorizations.
