On March 23, 2020, the United States Supreme Court held that the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act of 1990 (CRCA) is unconstitutional and therefore invalid. See Allen v. Cooper, No. 18-877, 589 U.S. ___ (2020). Prior to Allen, the CRCA
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 12
Treasury Gives U.S. Taxpayers Relief from COVID-19’s Economic Impact by Postponing Tax Day
As the coronavirus pandemic yells “Cut!” across the world, the entertainment industry will feel the economic impact, with theaters closing their doors, lower attendance at film festivals, delayed productions, and the like. Business managers and entertainment businesses, however, may feel…
Panel Recap: Responsible Advertising, Social Media and Influencers
Venable attorneys Marcella Ballard and Kristen Ruisi recently participated in an MIP Global Trademark Forum panel on Responsible Advertising, Social Media and Influencers. With Marci moderating and Kristen presenting, the panel also included Jessica E. Cardon, deputy general counsel at…
Force Majeure Clauses under California Law in Light of the Coronavirus
As the U.S. braces for the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, companies across a broad range of industries are increasingly affected by the growing restrictions on travel and trade. Practically speaking, concerns abound over issues like whether airlines will issue refunds for…
SDNY Helps Draw the Boundaries of Copyright Protection in Music Cases
Critics of increasingly restrictive effects of copyright law in musical production can seek solace in the recent Southern District of New York copyright decision of Guity v. Santos, et al., No. 18-cv-10387 (SDNY Dec. 05, 2019) (“Order”).
The district court…
Shia LaBeouf Walks Into a Bar . . . And Ends Up Losing an Anti-Slapp Motion
On November 19, 2019, the California Court of Appeal held that comments made by celebrity actor Shia LaBeouf in a private and isolated dispute were not a matter of public concern and, therefore, did not constitute protected speech under the…
Court Dismisses Defamation Claim Against Crain Communications
A circuit court in Cook County, Illinois granted summary judgment in favor of Crain Communications (a publishing company) and others for publishing an article in June 2016 that allegedly was defamatory against Joseph J. Fox, then co-founder and CEO of…
Venable Secures Major Free Speech Victory on Behalf of Marlon Wayans
In a groundbreaking ruling about harassment and social media, a California Appellate Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against actor and comedian Marlon Wayans over comments made on a film set and a tweet comparing a movie extra…
Inspiration to Infringement: Copyright Issues in Scripted Entertainment Inspired by Song Lyrics
On January 28, 2020, Paul Bernstein and Carly Trainor published “Inspiration to Infringement: Copyright Issues in Scripted Entertainment Inspired by Song Lyrics” in Music Connection Magazine. The following is an excerpt:
MGM Television is developing Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, a…
The Cost of Breaching a Non-Disclosure Agreement
Individuals in the entertainment industry have started coming forward to reveal harassment they have faced throughout their careers. In response to these revelations, filmmakers and showrunners have started depicting such harassment on screen. For example, the web television series The Morning…