Art, Entertainment & Sports Law, Election & Politics Law, Intellectual Property

Jackson Walker's VIA Media Postcard - November/December 2012

by Robert (Bob) P. Latham, Amanda Thompson, Paul C. Watler | Jackson Walker on 12/10/2012

In This Issue: - Paul Watler's Perspective: One of the few places of refuge from the political campaign advertising onslaught was public television and radio. That may change depending on a little-noticed First Amendment...more

Republican Standing Committee’s Disappearing Copyright Brief Too “Awesome” for Publication

by David Kluft | Foley Hoag LLP - Trademark, Copyright &... on 11/21/2012

Last Friday, the Republican Standing Committee (“RSC”) published a report by twenty-four year old staffer Derek Khanna, a former Mitt Romney aide and graduate of Georgetown Law School, entitled: “Three Myths about Copyright...more

Finding a Home for Orphan Works: Copyright Office Seeks Public Comment for Report to Congress

by Matthew R. Farley | Venable LLP on 11/19/2012

The United States Copyright Office recently issued a broad notice of inquiry in the Federal Register, seeking comments from the public “regarding the current state of play for orphan works.” An orphan work is an original...more

The Scariest Day of the Year…for Legal Claims Too

by Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger... on 11/1/2012

We here at Law Law Land are big fans of Halloween, the drunkest, sluttiest, most creative and fun-loving holiday of the year. Law Law Land HQ itself is awash in cat ears and warlock coats today, and your editor is looking...more

Three Point Shot - September 2012

by Proskauer Rose LLP on 9/20/2012

In This Issue: - In Tennis Channel Carriage Dispute with Comcast, Ball is Now in Appeals Court - Crimson Tide Infringement Claims Turned Back by Artist's Fair Use Defense - Citius, Altius, Litigious: USOC,...more

Politician Settling Case for Unauthorized Use of Music at Campaign Events

by Mintz Levin - Intellectual Property on 8/29/2012

It appears that Newt Gingrich and Frankie Sullivan, a member of the rock band Survivor, and his company Rude Music , have reached a tentative settlement in the latter’s copyright infringement suits against Gingrich for use of...more

Political Fair Use Part V: The Dulcet Tones of Presidential Copyright Infringement

by Foley Hoag LLP - Trademark, Copyright &... on 8/28/2012

Mitt Romney seems to attract copyright controversies like his bank account attracts interest. During the 2012 presidential campaign, Candidate Romney has already had copyright rows with Tom Brokaw and CNN. Now, he’s got three...more

Why Politicians' "Theme Songs" Often Hit the Wrong No

by Pryor Cashman LLP on 7/16/2012

In the on-line magazine “The Wrap,” Frank Scibilia's article, “Why Politicians' 'Theme Songs' Often Hit the Wrong Note,” discusses the legal implications of using copyrighted music as a campaign “theme song” or in a...more

Rush and Rush: Using Music in Political Activities (Redux)

by Heenan Blaikie LLP on 3/16/2012

News reports that Rush (the band) have demanded that Rush (the Limbaugh) desist from using the band's music in his radio broadcasts have re-raised an issue we have considered here at the Signal on few different occasions. The...more

Rules for Use of Music at Political Campaign Events

by Mintz Levin - Intellectual Property on 3/1/2012

National Public Radio had a story yesterday on politicians’ use (or misuse) of music at campaign events. It sets forth three seemingly simple rules for politicians to follow in order to...more

Copyright Lessons from the Campaign Trail: Romney, Gingrich and Fair Use

by Mintz Levin - Intellectual Property on 1/31/2012

This Republican primary season has provided lots of fodder for political blogs, but it has also provided a few gems relating to — what else — trademark issues. Now, U.S. copyright law is in...more