The SEC has rung the bell again on a celebrity touting a crypto token offering without adequate disclosure of a paid role. On October 3, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission released its order instituting cease and desist proceedings against
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California District Court Holds Dance Moves in Fortnite Did Not Infringe Copyright
A federal district court judge in the Central District of California recently dismissed a choreographer’s claims against Epic Games Inc. (“Epic Games”) arising out of Epic Games’ alleged use of his dance moves in its Fortnite video game. See Kyle…
Truth Remains an Absolute Defense Against Defamation Claims
This client alert was also published in Westlaw Today.
A Michigan State Court recently dismissed claims against Euclid Media Group, the parent company to several media properties, including Deadline Detroit, Inc. (“Deadline”), for publishing articles about a Plaintiff’s conduct at…
Third Circuit Upholds Federal Cyberstalking Law
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently upheld the federal cyberstalking statute against a constitutional challenge. See United States v. Ho Ka Yung, 37 F.4th 70 (3d Cir. 2022). The Third Circuit narrowly construed the…
Personal Jurisdiction and the Calder Effects Test: Ninth Circuit Sides with Florida Plaintiff in Defamation Suit Against Bishops
On June 3, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that an Arizona district court erred in dismissing a defamation suit for lack of personal jurisdiction. The suit was brought by an attorney against three Catholic bishops and their…
Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Digital Assets Introduced: Pathway to Comprehensive Regulation Remains Unclear, NFTs Not Addressed
Last month, a bipartisan pair of senators released the first comprehensive cryptocurrency bill that, though it is unlikely to become law, will frame how Congress discusses future legislation. The sweeping draft from Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),…
Vanessa Bryant v. County of Los Angeles, et al.
More than two years have passed since the tragic helicopter crash that killed basketball player Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and all others on board the January 26, 2020 flight. Since that time, several cases related to the crash…
NPR Features Sarah Cronin on Podcast The Indicator from Planet Money on Pandemic Insurance for the Entertainment Industry
By Sarah Cronin
On April 7, 2022, Venable partner Sarah Cronin was featured on the NPR podcast The Indicator from Planet Money, where she discussed pandemic insurance for the entertainment industry and her role handling insurance recovery disputes on behalf of policyholders.
According to…
STEMMING THE TIDE: Ed Sheeran’s Copyright Victory Brings Changes to Copyright Evidentiary Burden
A United Kingdom High Court recently ruled in favor of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran (Sheeran) in a contentious copyright infringement case over his 2017 song, Shape of You (“Shape”). The Court granted Sheeran’s claim for declaratory relief, ruling that Shape did…
Lee Brenner, William Briggs, David Fink, Josh Rosenberg, and Chris O’Brien Recognized in Variety’s 2022 Legal Impact Report
On April 20, 2022, Variety released its annual Legal Impact Report, featuring the top in-house attorneys, litigators, and transactional attorneys in the entertainment industry. Lee Brenner, William Briggs, David Fink, and Josh Rosenberg were recognized in the…