The Weeknd Called Out by Name for Copyright Infringement Over Song “Call Out My Name” »
By Courtney Ferry
On September 17, 2021, suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Abel …
‘NEVERMIND’ THE NUDITY: NIRVANA’S COVER BABY SUES FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY »
By Quinne Daoust
The iconic swimming baby of Nirvana’s world famous “Nevermind” album has filed suit against the band’s estate in a California …
Harassment Culture in One of Gaming’s Biggest Studio »
By Hunter Young
Franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo have firmly cemented Activision Blizzard in the hearts and minds of gamers and …
ScarJo v. Disney: The Unhappiest Contract on Earth »
By: Adrienne Good
A pre-COVID agreement, the meaning of “theatrical release,” punitive damages, gamesmanship, forced arbitration, and one judge’s recusal. The Scarlett Johansson/Disney …
Dope Raves! Marijuana Dispensaries at Music Festivals »
By: Savanna Wright
Marijuana has been headlining news stories for decades. Recently, cannabis legalization has been spreading across the country, making marijuana more …
State Bans on MMA Fighting Infringe upon First Amendment Rights »
By: Iulia Taranu
Mixed Martial Arts (“MMA”) provides an avenue for many individuals to express themselves and showcase their talents in front of …
Brown, Black and White: differing media treatment of Domestic Abusers »
Since the domestic assault in 2009, Chris Brown has garnered much media scrutiny related to his every action. The media’s discussion about Brown has continually focused on publicly condemning him and creating a “culturally resonant villain” in the fight against domestic abuse. Many will disagree, but Brown’s case must be analyzed through a racial lens. - Read more...
E-Sports and the Legal Future of Online Gaming »
One hundred million people tune in every month to watch their favorite players go head to head online and on ESPN. Stadiums around the world sell out in minutes when an event comes to town. The superstars of this sport make seven figures for winning a single tournament (that’s not even including the lucrative sponsorship opportunities from companies itching to get in on the action). You may think I’m talking about baseball or basketball, but you’d be wrong. This sport brings in more viewers for a single tournament than the World Series and the NBA Finals combined. What I’m talking about is something called “e-sports” and if you don’t know about it yet, rest assured you will soon. - Read more...
Act Two of the Unpaid Internship Saga: Human Rights Protections »
For the last year, the spotlight has been on Hollywood’s unpaid interns demanding payment for their work. Although the issue has existed for years, a lawsuit brought by a pair of unpaid interns against Fox Searchlight sparked subsequent lawsuits against industry giants like NBCUniversal, Marvel, and Warner Music Group. This explosion of lawsuits has set the stage for public inquiry into why unpaid interns are denied so many legal protections, including legal recourse for sexual harassment. The case of Lihuan Wang has provided a close-up of this issue, inspiring recent changes in legislation that will hopefully edit sexual harassment from the script of Hollywood internships. - Read more...
The Walking Dead Lawsuit: Vertical Integration is Still Alive in the Entertainment Industry »
Another vertical integration lawsuit has risen to life. Frank Darabont, the writer-director-producer of the most watched show on all of television, The Walking Dead, is in court, facing off against American Movie Classics (AMC), the network that broadcasts the hit zombie apocalypse show. The Walking Dead lawsuit is the latest in a long line of “vertical integration” cases in Hollywood that arise when a TV show broadcaster also produces the show via an affiliated entity. The broadcaster pays a license fee to the production studio, which is then shared with talent. The license fees are supposed to be negotiated between broadcasters and producers to reflect the fair market value of a given series. - Read more...