Jay Z Fights Back Copyright Suit Over Sampling of ‘Oh’ in “Run This Town”

Jay Z filed a motion to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Record label TufAmerica before a New York federal district court. The suit alleged that Jay Z and Rihanna’s hit song “Run This Town” sampled the Eddie Bo song “Hook & Sling” without authorization.

According to the filing, Jay Z allegedly misappropriated ‘oh’ sound from “Hook & Sling” throughout “Run This Town.” In filing the motion to dismiss, Jay Z’s legal team argued that the claim was “misguided” as it was not …

September 24, 2014 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / NFL

Another Hurdle for the Washington Redskins Fight for Trademark Protection

In June, a group of five Native Americans successfully challenged the Washington Redskins’ trademark as disparaging. Now, the five Native Americans asked a federal judge to dismiss the team’s counter-lawsuit to reverse the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) decision. The Native Americans filed a motion in U.S. District Court arguing that the team does not have a legal right to sue the five Native Americans to reverse the USPTO’s ruling.

After the USPTO ruled in favor of the Native Americans, the Washington Redskins …

September 23, 2014 Copyright / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Avatar Avoids Another Lawsuit

On Wednesday, September 17, Judge Furman of the Southern District of New York federal court granted a motion dismissing claims against James Cameron for alleged copyright infringement in the 2009 blockbuster film Avatar.

The judge’s dismissal relieves Cameron of the fourth lawsuit in the past year stemming from the film Avatar. This cause of action was brought by Roger Dean, an English artist, whose works include album covers for the bands Yes, Uriah Heep, and Asia. Dean sought more than $50 million for …

September 20, 2014 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Music

Court Denies Taylor Swift’s Motion to Dismiss Lucky 13 Suit

A California district court denied Swift’s motion to dismiss a trademark infringement suit over ‘Lucky 13’ brought by Blue Sphere, Inc. last May. Blue Sphere, an Orange county-based company, does a business as ‘Lucky 13’ and sells a wide range of products including clothing and has sued over Swift’s use of the phrase ‘Lucky 13’and selling via internet t-shirts bearing the phrase without the company’s authorization. Additionally, the suit named American Greetings as one of the defendants for running the online promotion of a “Lucky …

September 19, 2014 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Music

Not So Fancy – Iggy Azalea Sues Ex-Boyfriend for Marketing Unfinished Songs

On Wednesday, September 17, pop-star and Levi Jeans model Iggy Azalea filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California against her ex-boyfriend, Maurice Williams over allegedly stolen bootleg copies of unreleased songs.

The complaint, published here by The Hollywood Reporter, alleges that Williams downloaded the contents of her personal computer onto a thumb drive, including several unfinished and unreleased songs. The songs were recorded from March 2008 to December 2008, during which time Azalea was living and working in Texas. It was also during …

September 18, 2014 Copyright / Music

Eminem Sues New Zealand’s National Party for Copyright Infringement

Detroit-based Eight Mile Style, LLC and Martin Affiliated, LLC, the music publishers of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” filed a copyright infringement suit against New Zealand’s National Party. According to Joel Martin, a spokesperson for both companies, New Zealand’s ruling party used the song in a political campaign commercial without authorization.

The party allegedly used the song in a TV advertisement in its efforts to support the reelection of Prime Minister John Key. Rejecting the allegations, Prime Minister Key responded that the party did not intentionally …

September 7, 2014 Copyright / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / Music

Mickey Mouse v. Deadmau5: A Rodents’ Row Over Trademark Logo

On Tuesday, September 2^nd, Disney Enterprises Inc. file a motion in opposition at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office arguing against an application submitted by Canadian EDM star Deadmau5.

Joel Zimmerman, better known by his stage name Deadmau5, filed with the Trademark Office back in 2013 to secure a trademark for his logo, a black mouse-head with white eyes and a smile. The logo is a graphic representation of the mouse helmet he wears while performing his DJ duties on stage and …

September 6, 2014 Contract / Copyright / Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Roc-A-Fella Records Cannot Dismiss Copyright Infringement Logo Law Suit.

On Wednesday, September 3^rd, Judge Andrew Carter in the Southern District of New York, denied a motion to dismiss filed by Jay-Z & Roc-A-Fella Records seeking to end a contractual dispute.

The dispute arises from an alleged agreement between Roc-A-Fella records and the plaintiff, Dwayne D. Walker, Jr., that was formed in 1995. Dwayne Walker claims that he agreed to design and license the Roc-A-Fella logo to the record label for $3,500 and 2% of all revenue from the sale of items carrying …

Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Half of Breaking Bad’s Final Season

On Friday, August 29, Judge Davila of the court of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed two of three consumer class action claims against Apple stemming from its sale of the final season of AMC’s Breaking Bad.

Angry Apple customer, Dr. Noam Lazebnik, was irritated to learn that his $22.99 purchase of the final season of Breaking Bad only included the first 8 episodes. In 2012, Apple advertised the price for “all current and future episodes of Breaking …

CBS Sued Over Farting Hippopotamus

A recurring stuffed animal on the hit CBS show, NCIS, is causing the broadcasting corporation legal woes this week. On August 25, CBS Broadcasting was sued by world renowned puppet maker, Folkmanis Inc., for infringing its copyrights by producing and selling “Bert the Farting Hippo” products.

Abby Sciuto, the goth forensic scientist on NCIS, introduced her furry, farting stuffed animal, Bert back in 2003. Since his first appearance, Bert the Farting Hippo has made over a dozen appearances on the television show, garnering …