In response to a copyright claim that the Netflix series “Stranger Things” infringed the plaintiff’s unpublished screenplays, Netflix and the other defendants filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, arguing that the works were not substantially similar as a matter of law. In connection with the motion, Netflix submitted – and the Court accepted –
Follow Up: Enola Holmes Case Settles, Leaves Unsolved Mysteries
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 a quick settlement of litigation over Sherlock Holmes.
In June, 2020, the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sued Netflix and others over their
Sherlock Holmes’s Sister Subject of Copyright Infringement Claim
A planned Netflix movie about Sherlock Holmes’s sister is the target of a lawsuit from the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the legendary detective. The estate has asserted both copyright and trademark claims.
The estate will have to walk a narrow path to prevail on its copyright claims. All but the last
Performers Union Cuts Deal With Studios
The performers union, SAG-AFTRA, has reached a deal with the studios for a new three-year contract covering theatrical, television and new media production. The proposal will still need to be approved by the national board and the membership before taking effect.
The proposed contract is patterned on the agreement struck by the Directors Guild earlier
Law Enforcement Training Company Seeks To Interrogate Netflix After “When They See Us” Series Blames Company For Encouraging False Confessions
Netflix’s original series “When They See Us” was released in May of this year and portrayed the prosecution of five teenagers of color who were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in Manhattan’s Central Park in 1989. The series depicts the detectives and police abusing the teens, isolating them from their parents, and subjecting
TV or Not TV: Does Academy’s Push to Block Streaming Services From the Oscars Violate Antitrust Law?
A change in the rules for Oscar eligibility proposed by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) may violate antitrust laws, according to the Department of Justice.
At issue is whether feature-length films produced by streaming services like Netflix should be eligible for Oscar consideration, even though they don’t have a significant theatrical
Does Lawsuit Against “Stranger Things” Creators for Idea Theft Stand Ghost of a Chance?
After Netflix negotiated mega raises for the main actors of its hit program “Stranger Things” in March of this year, short-film producer Charlie Kessler wants a piece of the pie. Kessler filed an action in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week for breach of an implied contract against “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross
Green Hasson Janks – “Will MoviePass Bring Moviegoers Back to Theaters?”
Bryan Golerkansky and Ryan Dunner, supervising senior associates at Green Hasson Janks, write:
With the new age of digital streaming and an abundant amount of on-demand content available for 24/7 consumption, many consumers have opted to stay at home on a Friday night binging on television series and movies as opposed to the
Drug Cartel Heirs Have Netflix in Their Crosshairs
Drug cartels are notorious for murder and extortion, but the family of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar has unleashed the scariest weapon of all–trademark litigation.
Escobar, Inc. has a longstanding grudge against the Netflix series Narcos, which dramatizes the late drug lord’s life. In a creative and brazen move, Escobar filed trademark registrations for
Three Takeaways from the Disney/Netflix Split
The media community has been buzzing with the news that Disney plans to launch its own digital subscription channel for movies and series content. Its current license deal with Netflix expires at the end of 2018, after which new Disney and Pixar titles will move to the new channel. Disney will also be launching a