Notable TV and Digital Deals from Q3-4 2017
The last few months have seen a number of high-profile deals in episodic programming, spurred in part by the entry of a number of significant new players in the marketplace. Here are a few particularly noteworthy entries: Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon Morning Show Drama Lands at Apple With Two-Season Order Apple is anticipated to become
Benjamin Jaffe named an “Up Next” Honoree in Variety’s 2017 Dealmakers Report
Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP (CDAS) associate Benjamin Jaffe was named an “Up Next” honoree in Variety’s “2017 Dealmakers Report.” The highly anticipated feature, published on December 5th, profiled the people behind the most important entertainment industry deals of the past 12 months – executives, lawyers, financiers, entrepreneurs and others from all sectors of
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Florida Supreme Court Sides with Sirius XM in Battle over Pre-1972 Sound Recording Royalties
In a decision issued last month in the ongoing battle waged by former members of the 1960s rock group The Turtles over the scope of copyright performance rights in sound recordings, the Florida Supreme Court concluded that pre-1972 sound recordings are not protected by Florida state law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh
Embedding in the Balance: the Goldman Cases
In a pair of cases pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, photographer Justin Goldman and various online media outlets seek to set the record straight on whether embedding images on a website through in-line linking without authorization constitutes copyright infringement. A website embeds an image using an in-line
CDAS Supports Booming Podcasting Industry; Advises Brooklyn Podcast Festival and STEAL THE STARS
“When are you launching your podcasts?” It’s no longer a matter of “if,” but “when, how many, and are you monetizing them?” With 4.1 billion downloads last year, almost 50 million weekly listeners, and by far the highest CPMs in digital, podcasts are on everyone’s radar. Once the realm of stand-up comedians and hobbyists, now
Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP Recognized as a Tier 1 National Firm for Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures & Television by U.S. News-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for 2018
Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP is proud to announce it has been named a Tier 1 national firm for Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures & Television by U.S. News Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for 2018. CDAS is one of only 25 firms to receive this honor. Review the full list here. U.S. News
Waving the Checkered Flag: Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Trademark Claims Arising from PlayStation Racing Games
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit this week summarily affirmed a dismissal, from two years ago, of trademark claims brought by flooring company VIRAG, S.R.L. (“Virag”) against Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (“Sony”). In a three-page unpublished opinion, the appeals court held that Sony’s use of the “VIRAG” trademark as set dressing
Who’s Punch Line Is It Anyway? Jokes Are Potentially Copyrightable, Says the U.S. Copyright Office.
For the many everyday citizens who have no recollection of when the New England Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks after a “questionable” play call, comedy blogger Robert “Alex” Kaseberg’s (“Kaseberg”) saves the day. Thanks to his witty remarks, and the legal controversy that subsequently unfolded, the world may never forget. Kaseberg
Court Denies FX’s Anti-SLAPP Motion in Olivia de Havilland’s Feud Lawsuit
A California court recently ruled that a lawsuit by actress Olivia de Havilland over her portrayal in the television series Feud: Bette and Joan could move forward, denying FX Networks’ motion to strike the lawsuit on First Amendment grounds. The show, which is a docudrama centered on the rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
Initial Coin Offerings: Benefits and Legal Risks on the New Frontier of Investing
It takes a lot to build a successful business. Entrepreneurs need a great idea, dedication and a hearty appetite for risk. That’s not to mention the more practical considerations, like employees, legal and accounting, work space, computers, software and technology, marketing, advertising, publicity, and the list goes on. How, one may ask, can a business