The Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, Virginia, recently quashed plaintiff Marathon Resource Group, LLC’s subpoena to a journalist regarding a voicemail she received during the course of an investigation into Marathon’s business practices. See Marathon Resource Group Management
Close-Ups
Entertainment and Media News
Close-Ups, published by Venable LLP, focuses on legal developments and issues related to intellectual property, defamation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The blog covers topics including updates to publicity rights statutes, challenges in defamation law and anti-SLAPP protections, and the intersection of AI with copyright and fair use principles. It also addresses practical legal questions about opinion versus defamation and liability for spreading rumors. The content reflects Venable LLP's expertise in navigating complex legal landscapes involving technology, media, and individual rights.
Latest from Close-Ups - Page 11
Counterclaims on the Cutting-Room Floor: How a Central District Court Cut Down the Writers Guild’s Countersuit Against Hollywood’s Talent Agencies
A California federal court recently dismissed the majority of the counterclaims asserted by the Writers Guild of America (the Guild) against William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency, and United Talent Agency (the Agencies) in a highly publicized suit over…
Gaming Emote Litigation: Battle Royale Ensues Over Fortnite Emotes with Plaintiffs Testing Different Causes of Action
Fortnite: Battle Royale (Fortnite), the highest-earning game in 2019 at $1.8 billion, continues to drive the world of esports.1 Epic Games, its development company, provided $100 million in cash winnings for its summer World Cup, the finals for which took place at…
Court Slaps Down Corporal Punishment Defamation Case Against Broadcasting Corporation
The Los Angeles County Superior Court recently granted an anti-SLAPP motion brought by the defendant, MBC Broadcasting, Inc. (MBC), in a defamation suit based on news broadcasts by MBC. MBC broadcast four news stories regarding allegations of improper corporal punishment…
Take Two for an All-But-Forgotten Disaster Relief Provision of the Tax Code
As the entertainment industry continues to adjust to a new normal, a largely forgotten provision of the Internal Revenue Code may provide welcome relief to both entertainment businesses and their employees during these uncertain times. The provision would allow individuals…
Court Dismisses Defamation Claim Against The Daily Beast
Eric Wedgewood (creator of a once-popular meme account on social media) sued The Daily Beast Company LLC (Daily Beast) for defamation, false light, and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). On March 11, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the…
Not Entitled to a Paycheck Protection Program Loan? Payroll Tax Relief for the Entertainment Industry Is on the Way Under the CARES Act
The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) provided the largest economic stimulus in American history in hopes of combating the economic effects of COVID-19. $349 billion was set aside for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which…
Man vs. Machine: Schwarzenegger Files Right of Publicity Suit Against Robot Builder
On March 4, 2020, Arnold Schwarzenegger (through his company, Oak Productions, Inc.) filed a lawsuit in a California state court against ASAP Group, LLC (doing business as Promobot). See Oak Prods., Inc. v. ASAP Grp., LLC, No. 20SMCV00347 (Mar.…
The Federal Government Provides Production Companies Some Much-Needed Income Tax Relief
On March 27, Congress passed H.R. 748 – the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act). The entertainment industry, like the rest of the country, now eagerly awaits the coming aid. As production companies and other entities…
FILE NOW! Eligibility of Entertainment Businesses for PPP Loans Under the CARES Act
UPDATE: Applications for loan forgiveness have been made available on the Department of the Treasury’s website as of May 15, 2020.
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/3245-0407-SBA-Form-3508-PPP-Forgiveness-Application.pdf
UPDATE: As of April 16, 2020, the initial $349 billion in funds available through the PPP has been…