CDAS Mourns the Passing of Author and Illustrator Tomie dePaola

Our sincere condolences go out to Tomie dePaola’s close colleagues, including literary agent Doug Whiteman and personal assistant Bob Hechtel, his friends, and generations of fans throughout the world. We know his legacy will live on in the imaginations of young readers everywhere who are charmed by his words and images.

Gray v. Perry: The Pendulum Swings on Copyright Infringement Verdict against Katy Perry

Following hot on the heels of the Ninth Circuit’s en banc decision clearing Led Zeppelin of copyright infringement allegations relating to the classic “Stairway to Heaven” (which we reported here), a California federal judge last week overturned a jury’s finding of copyright infringement against Katy Perry regarding the pop hit “Dark Horse.”  Songwriters still nervous

CDAS Partners Briana C. Hill and Benjamin Jaffe Named Co-Chairs of the Entertainment and the Digital Media & Technology groups, respectively.

Briana Hill, Co-Head of the Beverly Hills office of Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP, joins Fred Bimbler and Simon Pulman in leading the firm’s Entertainment group, which includes televison (traditional to broadband), streaming, film, new media, talent, theatre and podcasting. The group assists clients with their entertainment projects through early development, the solicitation of

CDAS Client Waleed Zuaiter Stars in “Baghdad Central”

Just back from London, Fred Bimbler reports that the highly anticipated 6-part crime thriller, Baghdad Central, starring CDAS client Waleed Zuaiter, will soon debut on the UK’s Channel 4 and subsequently stream on Hulu. Watch the trailer.

Jordan Victory Serves as Right of Publicity Cautionary Tale (Michael Jordan and Jump 23, Inc. v. Dominick’s Finer Foods, LLC and Safeway Inc.)

Michael Jordan’s recent right of publicity victory over former Chicago-area grocer Dominick’s Finer Foods suggests that the unauthorized use of a celebrity’s name or likeness may come at a price—in this case, $8.9 million. In 2009, Sports Illustrated magazine published a commemorative issue recognizing Jordan’s athletic achievements and celebrating his induction into the Basketball Hall

Inside Counsel’s Five-Part Series, “Where Former Entertainment GCs Go Next”, Provides Firm Profile of CDAS

Inside Counsel’s Senior Editor & Community Manager, Rich Steeves, published a five-part series titled “Where Former Entertainment GCs Go Next” last week, which was prominently featured on the Inside Counsel website. The series, which discussed the so called “third act” for successful general counsel, provided a comprehensive profile of CDAS and the services the firm