In what must be counted as a victory for solidarity among WGA members and the often controversial tactics of its executive director David Goodman, the leading agency WME reached a
Continue Reading Blessed Peace Descends Upon the Land as WME Settles with WGA
We recently reported on a lawsuit that the actor Faizon Love brought in November against Universal Pictures. Love was one of the stars of the 2009 movie Couples Retreat,
Continue Reading Follow up: Faizon Love, Universal Make Nice
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread postponement and cancellation of film and TV production in 2020, it brought a corresponding explosion of insurance claims by producers. This led inevitably to
Continue Reading ViacomCBS Sues Insurer Over COVID Claims
On January 15th, the Department of Justice announced it has ended its two-year review of the 80-year old consent decrees that govern the operation of the largest music
Continue Reading DOJ Keeps the Music Playing for ASCAP and BMI
In response to a copyright claim that the Netflix series “Stranger Things” infringed the plaintiff’s unpublished screenplays, Netflix and the other defendants filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing
Continue Reading “Stranger Things”: Copyright Challenge to Popular Series Survives Motion to Dismiss
Owners of copyright in characters are often well-advised not to press their claims too far in litigation at the risk of losing their rights altogether. This may be what motivated
Continue Reading Follow Up: Enola Holmes Case Settles, Leaves Unsolved Mysteries
Happy New Year to all. To kick off 2021, I’ve provided quick takes below on some of the bigger stories we’ll be watching
WME v. WGA
Just before Christmas, CAA
Continue Reading Stories to Watch in 2021
The 2009 Universal ensemble comedy Couples Retreat sparked controversy when its Black performers were erased from the film’s international marketing. That controversy has come back to life as the film’s
Continue Reading Universal Faces Racism Charges as Faizon Love Sues over “Couples Retreat” Poster
In my last blog, I expressed cautious optimism that the WGA was making progress in settling its long-running dispute with CAA and WME, the two largest talent agencies and
Continue Reading CAA, WME Head Back to Court in WGA Dispute
In April, 2019 the WGA directed its members to fire their agents unless the agents agreed to adhere to a Code of Conduct that would end the collection of package
Continue Reading Progress in WGA-Agency Talks, but No Breakthrough Yet