Second Circuit Limits Copyright Damages to Three-Year Period Before Suit
How do you square Psihoyos with Petrella, two of the most significant copyright statute of limitations cases in recent years? Courts and attorneys alike have struggled with that question since the Second Circuit and the Supreme Court, respectively, handed down these two copyright decisions within the span of a month in 2014. For the most
COVID-19 Relief
While certain states have started to ease lockdowns and shelter-in-place limitations, the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects have taken a toll on many lives, communities, and small businesses. One of the many challenges this unprecedented situation has spawned is how small business will weather the economic downturn it has caused. This situation has been particularly dire for
Nancy Wolff Spoke as US Copyright Law Expert in IPIC Webinar
Nancy Wolff provided the US perspective in the “Comparative Copyright Law: Key Differences Between Canada, US and EU” webinar hosted by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) on May 14, 2020.
“The Good Lord Bird” Trailer Just Released
CDAS represented producer Blumhouse in its deal to acquire rights to the James McBride book, the deal with Ethan Hawke (who stars as abolitionist John Brown), and the deal with Showtime where the miniseries will premiere on August 9. Watch the trailer here.
Susan Bodine Addressed the Association of Brazilian Television Producers
Sue discussed “Doing Business in the U.S.” in a webinar produced by the ABTP on April 29, 2020.
Ninth Circuit Holds First Amendment Tolerates Whiskey-Inspired Parody Dog Toys in Trade Dress Spat
A legal decision that simultaneously upholds the foundational tenets of free speech while quoting a dog toy’s claim to be “43% Poo by Vol” and “100% Smelly” is a welcome spot of levity in these trying and stressful times. The Ninth Circuit offered both in VIP Products v. Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc., a recent decision holding
Supreme Court Rejects Willfulness Requirement for Profit Awards in Trademark Infringement Actions
In a recent decision of considerable importance for trademark practitioners, the U.S. Supreme Court finally resolved a longstanding split among the circuits when the Court held that willfulness is not required to award the plaintiff profits in a trademark infringement action. Romag Fasteners, Inc v. Fossil, Inc., No. 18-1233, 2020 WL 1942012 (U.S. Apr. 23, 2020).
Congratulations to CDAS Client Colson Whitehead on Winning a Second Pulitzer Prize
Just announced, Colson Whitehead received the Pulitzer Prize for The Nickel Boys. He was previously awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for his best-seller The Underground Railroad, making him one of only four authors to win the Pulitzer twice for fiction.
MiMO Studio to Adapt “The Pout-Pout Fish” as Animated TV Movies
On behalf of publisher Macmillan, Simon Pulman and Marc Hershberg negotiated the deal for MiMO Studio to adapt award-winning pre-school book series The Pout-Pout Fish, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna, for multiple animated TV movies. A New York Times best seller when released in 2008, The Pout-Pout Fish received the Bank
Content in Quarantine: Copyright Best Practices During a Pandemic
At a time when we are stuck at home, working or “working” (or, sadly for many, not working) the tenet that content is king has never been more relevant. From Disney+ releasing “Frozen II” and “Onward” early to help placate restless youngsters, to DreamWorks releasing “Trolls World Tour” for “theatrical” in-house rental, to Instagram sensation