CDAS Client Alert: Federal Trade Secrets Law Provides Potent New Tool For Businesses In Online & Digital Media Space
Yesterday President Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”), the culmination of several years of bipartisan efforts to federalize trade secret protection, placing it alongside the federal copyright, trademark, and patent statutes. The DTSA – an extension of the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 – should be significant, generally, to businesses concerned
Give Me A ‘C’ (In A Circle): Cheerleader Uniforms At High Court
Law360, New York (May 9, 2016, 11:07 AM ET) — In August of last year, a Sixth Circuit judge wrote in a dissenting opinion: “It is apparent that either Congress or the Supreme Court (or both) must clarify copyright law with respect to garment design. The law in this area is a mess — and
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Partner Susan H. Bodine Named 2016 Hollywood Reporter “Power Lawyer”
The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has recognized Susan H. Bodine, partner and co-head of Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams and Sheppard’s Entertainment Practice as a “Power Lawyer” in its 10th annual issue revealing the most influential entertainment attorneys in America. Sue is noted for her work this year on the Roots reboot for A+E Networks, helping structure the
CDAS Partner Susan H. Bodine Featured in Variety’s 2016 Legal Impact Report
Partner and co-head of Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams and Sheppard’s Entertainment Practice Group, Susan H. Bodine was recognized in Variety magazine’s “2016 Legal Impact Report.” The annual list includes the top entertainment attorneys that have made a significant impact on the industry over the past twelve months. Sue’s work with “Narcos’” Jose Padilha, including on-going negotiations
Eleanor M. Lackman Named a 2016 Law360 Rising Star for Media and Entertainment
Cowan DeBaets, Abrahams and Sheppard LLP attorney Eleanor M. Lackman has been named a Law360 Rising Star. A Partner at the firm, Ms. Lackman is among one of 179 attorneys included in the full list and one of only 5 attorneys recognized for their dedicated work in the practice area of Media and Entertainment. Law360’s
CDAS Files Amicus Brief in Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons (“Kirtsaeng II”)
Yesterday, CDAS submitted an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the respondent in the case captioned Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons (“Kirtsaeng II”), which will examine the proper standard for fee awards under the Copyright Act. The brief, filed on behalf of the Copyright Alliance, argues that when determining whether
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of The Hurt Locker Right of Publicity Claim
The Ninth Circuit, applying California’ anti-SLAPP statute, affirmed the dismissal on First Amendment grounds of Master Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver’s right of publicity lawsuit, in which Sarver claimed that the Oscar®-winning film The Hurt Locker misappropriated his life story. According to Sarver, the film’s main character, Will James, was based on Sarver’s own life and experiences
Client Alert: Lord & Taylor Settles FTC Complaint Alleging Consumer Deception in Connection with Paid Native Advertising
Lord & Taylor has agreed to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging that the national retailer deceived consumers by paying for native advertisements.
EU-US Safe Harbor Status
I. Introduction In light of the decision of October 15, 2015 invalidating the US/EU Safe Harbor (the “October Decision”), there is uncertainty surrounding compliance with EU Directive 95/46 (the “Directive”), which prohibits “the transfer of personal data to a third country which does not ensure an adequate level of protection.” Although the United States Department
Moving the Needle: Solid Oak Sketches, LLC v. Visual Concepts, LLC and the Copyright Quagmire of Tattoos in Video Games
In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York this month, a group of tattoo artists (through a licensing entity) sued the developer, publisher, and marketer of the immensely popular NBA 2K16 video game over digital depictions of tattoos the artists had inked on the real-life basketball players