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The Briefing: Kennedy Center v. Redd: How a Canceled Jazz Concert Became a Free Speech Fight

By Scott Hervey & Richard Buckley on August 21, 2026
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When can a performer’s public criticism become a breach of contract? In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin Shareholders Scott Hervey and Richard D. Buckley, Jr. break down Kennedy Center v. Redd, a dispute involving musician Charles Redd, a canceled performance, a morals clause, and D.C.’s Anti-SLAPP Act.

In this episode, they cover:

  • How D.C.’s Anti-SLAPP Act applied to Redd’s public statements
  • Why the court dismissed the Kennedy Center’s breach of contract claims
  • What the decision means for venues, studios, and producers relying on morals clauses in performer agreements

Tune in for a clear look at what happens when contractual morals clauses collide with legal protections for public speech.

Watch this episode on our YouTube or listen to the podcast here.

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Photo of Scott Hervey Scott Hervey

Scott Hervey is a corporate and intellectual property attorney at Weintraub Tobin who works with companies in a variety of different industries. His clients include wineries, restaurants, technology companies, and entertainment/new media ventures. Scott has led his clients through hundreds of matters involving…

Scott Hervey is a corporate and intellectual property attorney at Weintraub Tobin who works with companies in a variety of different industries. His clients include wineries, restaurants, technology companies, and entertainment/new media ventures. Scott has led his clients through hundreds of matters involving complex acquisitions, licensing, financings, and other transactions. He also assists clients in protecting their valuable brands through trademark infringement litigation, domain name infringement arbitration, and proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Trademark Trial and Appeals Board. He discusses IP Law topics on the weekly video series The Briefing.

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Photo of Richard Buckley Richard Buckley

Richard Buckley is a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation practice group. In his 25-plus-years as a litigator, Richard has served as lead counsel in hundreds of matters and has served a wide variety of clients, including professional sports arenas and teams, automotive dealerships…

Richard Buckley is a shareholder in the Firm’s Litigation practice group. In his 25-plus-years as a litigator, Richard has served as lead counsel in hundreds of matters and has served a wide variety of clients, including professional sports arenas and teams, automotive dealerships, commercial real estate landlords and tenants, event marketers, manufacturers, a market research firm, entertainers and real estate developers.

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  • Posted in:
    Business and Commercial, Communications, Media & Entertainment
  • Blog:
    The IP Law Blog
  • Organization:
    Weintraub Tobin
  • Article: View Original Source

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