Art, Entertainment & Sports Law Updates

Ivy League joins digital trend

The Ivy League this month announced that it will join the Big Ten and the PAC-12 in launching its own digital sports network, giving fans of the conference and its teams unprecedented access to their favorite team’s home and...more

Did Sergio Garcia Lose in Match Play with the IRS?

One of the most recognizable names in professional golf—although not the most winning name, having never won a major golf tournament—is Sergio Garcia. He is especially known for his tree shots, the latest of which was a...more

Foul play over US trademark

The Washington Redskins name has attracted fierce debate over the years. Edward Lee and Douglas Masters, attorneys at Loeb & Loeb, discuss the latest attempt to revoke the mark - US trademark law prohibits the...more

Who Owns the Rights to “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

Harper Lee only wrote one book in her life, but what a book. Her classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published in 1960, spins the tale of a small town attorney who tries to stand up against the forces of racial injustice....more

Estate Planning: Lessons Learned From Angelina Jolie

Estate Planning: Lessons Learned From Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie disclosed that she had a double mastectomy and that she would have her ovaries removed to help prevent breast and ovarian cancer that she may be...more

Are The Legal Rules For User Generated Content Becoming More Nuanced?

The general legal advice to website operators who allowed User Generated Content (UGC) in the form of comments, videos or pictures used to be relatively easy....more

Memes Attack

A recent lawsuit combines a number of things that are surely ruining today’s youth: internet memes, the Nintendo DS, and side-scrolling video games (actually, that last one ruined my generation. Thanks Super Mario Bros.,...more

Chad Elie v. Ifrah Law PLLC

Amended Complaint (Exempt From Arbitration)

Amended Complaint (Exempt from Arbitration) filed on May 14th, 2013 by Plaintiff Chad Elie v. Ifrah PLLC, a Professional Limited Liability Company, Alain Jeffrey Ifrah a/k/a Jeff Ifrah, individually, etc. , et. al,,...more

Vijay Singh Brings Lawsuit Against PGA Tour

Vijay Singh Brings Lawsuit Against PGA Tour by Anthony Caruso on May 13, 2013 After the PGA Tour absolved Vijay Singh of charges relating to taking a banned performance enhancer, the golf pro has brought a lawsuit...more

IP/Entertainment Law Weekly Case Update for Motion Picture Studios and Television Networks - May 10, 2013

Dunn v. DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., California Court of Appeal, April 30, 2013 (unpublished opinion) - California Court of Appeal affirms judgment in favor of defendant DreamWorks Animation on plaintiff’s breach of...more

Global Connection - May 2013: iGaming Update

More than 25 years ago, gaming in the United States faced a conundrum as Indian Tribes and States debated the legality of gambling on tribal lands. The issue culminated in a landmark decision in the United State Supreme...more

Lauryn Hill Receives Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

Lauryn Hill Receives Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion by Frank L. Brunetti on May 10, 2013 Grammy-winner Lauryn Hill will be required to serve a prison sentence for tax evasion, a court ruled this week. In a federal...more

Cars Lawsuit Runs Out of Gas

The United States Supreme Court recently brought final resolution to Mandeville-Anthony v. Walt Disney Co., a dispute over the ownership of Disney and Pixar’s animated movies “Cars” and “Cars 2,” and the spin-off television...more

Checklist: Reviewing Stock Library Content Licenses

When a film or television producer wants to make use of content supplied by a "stock" library (such as photographs, film clips or music), it is necessary for their legal counsel to review the license agreement in order to...more

Entertainment Law Case: TV Makeover Show

In Pelchat v. Zone 3 Inc., 2013 QCCS 78, a Quebec court decision has addressed the dichotomy between the idea for a TV show, and the “form and expression” of ideas, as embodied in a TV show. In this case, the defendant Zone 3...more

IRS Taking Tough Stand On Benefits And Burdens Of Ownership In Recent Section 199 ILM And Tax Court Cases

On April 1, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released ILM 201313020 (ILM) in response to an IRS Appeals Division request. It concludes that planning and development activities undertaken by a publisher of books and other...more

Judge Slams Copyright Troll Attorneys

A federal judge has referred a band of copyright troll attorneys to their respective state and federal bars for their “moral turpitude unbecoming of an officer of the court.” The judge also referred the attorneys to the U.S....more

Is Jacob To Laban As Weiner Is To The Original Talk Radio Network?

Jacob was in love with Rachel, but he had a problem. What could he offer Rachel’s father Laban for her hand? Not having much, he offered to work for seven years. Laban seemed to find this acceptable, but when the seven years...more

Potential Bad News for UGC Music Sites: Pre-1972 Tracks May Not Be Covered By the DMCA’s Safe Harbor

When you think of “Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly, “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, and “My Girl” by the Temptations, you think classic, iconic, rock and roll. Now, in light of the most recent legal setback against music sharing...more

Advertising Law -- May 03, 2013

Manatt and ERA to Lead Teleseminar on Compliance with FTC’s New Dot Com Disclosure Guides - The Federal Trade Commission’s long-awaited changes to its “Dot Com Disclosures” set forth a number of new directives,...more

Advertising News & Analysis - May 2, 2013

In this issue: - NY Court Finds Name-Dropping Remains Protected in Art and Music - FTC Announces Staff Report on Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule - FTC Solicits Comments on Proposed Changes to...more

IP/Entertainment Law Weekly Case Update for Motion Picture Studios and Television Networks - May 3, 2013

- Cariou v. Prince, USCA Second Circuit, April 25, 2013 - Second Circuit reverses summary judgment in favor of photographer on his infringement claims against well-known appropriation artist Richard Prince, holding...more

Spider-Man Lives to Web-Sling (and Sing) Another Day Following Settlement of Copyright Suit

After infamously departing (i.e., being fired) from the nascent production of the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, acclaimed stage and screen director Julie Taymor filed suit against the show’s producers. As...more

Traumatic Brain Injury a Growing Concern for Athletes

Our law firm has more than 65 years combined experience representing individuals and families injured and suffering due to the negligence or mistake of others. Other than fatal injury, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are some...more

Trademark Review - Volume 3 | Issue 4 - April 2013

In This Issue: • The Last Chapter in the Louboutin Red Soled Shoe Story • Applicants for U.S. Trademark Registrations Must Have a Bona Fide Intent to Use the Mark for All Listed Goods and Services - Excerpt...more