Demystifying WGA Television Residuals

Under the Writers Guild of America Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement (the “Basic Agreement”), credited writers for television motion pictures, including episodic programs, are entitled to receive compensation for the reuse of their work, also known as residuals. Television residuals were first negotiated by the Writers Guild of American (the “WGA”) in 1953, under the
News

PARTNER SIMON N. PULMAN FEATURED IN VARIETY’S “2018 DEALMAKERS ELITE NEW YORK”

Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams and Sheppard LLP (CDAS) partner Simon N. Pulman is included in Variety’s “2018 Dealmakers Elite New York” feature. “Dealmakers Elite New York” profiles the people behind the major entertainment industry deals of the past 12 months – executives, lawyers, financiers, entrepreneurs and others from all sectors of the business, including film, TV,

A Closer Look: Senate Passes Music Modernization Act

On September 18, 2018, after months of intense negotiations with various music industry groups and lobbying interests, the United States Senate unanimously approved the Music Modernization Act (now renamed the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act, “MMA”), clearing what many believe to be the last major hurdle required for the MMA to become the most

Recent Developments in IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, and WGA.

IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, and WGA have all been in the news this summer with respect to subscription video on demand (“SVOD”) and ad-supported video on demand (“AVOD”) platforms and the impact the continued growth of those platforms continues to have on the entertainment industry. 2018 IATSE Agreement and the Editors Guild. IATSE leadership reached a tentative
News

19 CDAS Attorneys Selected to 2018 Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, Top 50 Women and Top 100 Lists

Nineteen Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP (CDAS) attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of New York Metro Super Lawyers®. Spanning various practice areas, Super Lawyers® recognizes the top lawyers in the New York Metro area using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate
News

Seven CDAS Attorneys Named to the 25th Edition of “The Best Lawyers in America”

Seven CDAS attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. According to the Best Lawyers® website, attorneys named to The Best Lawyers in America were recognized by their peers in the legal industry for their professional excellence in 145 practice areas. For the 2019 Edition of The

Ninth Circuit Provides Valuable Guide to Obtaining Copyright Protection for Customer Data

Those familiar with copyright law recognize the well-established principle that facts are not eligible for copyright protection. A compilation of facts may be eligible, however, if the selection or arrangement of facts reflects the requisite originality and creativity to warrant copyright protection. In Feist Publications v. Rural Telephone Service Co., the U.S. Supreme Court considered
News

Scott J. Sholder Named a 2018 Law360 Rising Star for Media and Entertainment

Cowan DeBaets, Abrahams and Sheppard LLP attorney Scott J. Sholder has been named a Law360 Rising Star. A Partner at the firm, Mr. Sholder is among one of 168 attorneys included in the full list and one of only 4 attorneys recognized for their dedicated work in the practice area of Media and Entertainment. Law360’s