Here in the Hollywood bubble, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own tales of heartbreak, victory and scandal and forget that events outside of LA can also impact the entertainment business. One of these is that the FCC is now Republican-controlled. The new FCC chair Ajit Pai has already signaled that we can
Supreme Court: The Slants Keep Their Name – “Disparagement” Clause Violates the First Amendment
Charlie Nelson Keever writes:
The Supreme Court ruled this morning that a federal law that prohibits the government from registering trademarks that “disparage” others violates the First Amendment.
Members of an Asian-American rock band filed a lawsuit after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) kept the band from registering its name, The Slants, a
First Plea Deal Reached in LA Casting Workshop Prosecutions
We reported previously that LA City Attorney Mike Feuer had brought misdemeanor criminal charges against five casting workshops and 25 individuals under the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act. Feuer alleged that the workshops–purportedly for training actors in audition techniques–were actually pay-to-play schemes in which
City Files Criminal Charges Against Casting Workshops
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer filed criminal charges last month against five casting workshops, their owners and employees, alleging violations of the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act. Under the Act, it is a crime to charge a performer money for the right
Privacy Wars: FTC Reaches $2.2M Settlement with Vizio over Data Collection
The TV manufacturer Vizio agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of New Jersey over its data collection practices.
The lawsuit alleged that the company’s internet-connected smart TVs were recording exactly what consumers
Wheeler Optimistic on Net Neutrality (Sort of)
It’s widely anticipated that the new Republican-controlled administration will seek to roll back the FCC’s net neutrality rules. These rules require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to treat identically all content that travels over their pipes. For example, an ISP cannot throttle the download speed of content furnished by its competitors. In his farewell speech, outgoing
Wheeler Resignation May Spell Demise of Set-Top Box Deregulation
FCC Chair Tom Wheeler has announced his resignation effective upon Donald Trump’s inauguration. The President-elect has not yet announced his choice to replace Wheeler, but it’s a safe bet that the new Republican majority on the Commission will encourage a more freewheeling regulatory climate.
This blog has followed closely Wheeler’s efforts to force cable operators
Blockbuster DGA-AMPTP Deal Dramatically Increases Residuals for Streaming Entertainment and Signals Eclipse of Traditional Television Consumption
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) offered a sizable gift to its nearly 16,000 members this holiday season, announcing a three-year blockbuster deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) which, if ratified by the membership, would more than triple residuals for direct
Copyright: kritchanut / 123RF Stock
Set-Top Box Deregulation: The Gloves Come Off
The FCC proposal to deregulate cable and satellite television set-top boxes is facing heavy headwinds as powerful interests line up in opposition. The current proposal is itself a compromise to its original proposal to require providers to give access to their information streams to other set-top box makers. In response to powerful opposition, the proposal
California Law Allows Actors to Exclude Age from Subscription Employment Databases
From cast to crew, there is little question that age discrimination still exists in Hollywood. While stereotypical example is that women of a certain age suddenly stop getting casts for parts; this discrimination may indeed be more prevalent among crew members who are passed over for jobs in favor of younger, albeit less experienced, employees