February 13, 2017 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark

Paul McCartney Seeks to Terminate Sony’s Copyright Interests in Legendary Beatles’ Tracks

Paul McCartney has commenced a full-out mission to re-acquire complete ownership of the copyright interests in the Beatles’ songs Sony acquired rights to 50 years ago. On January 11, 2016, McCartney sought confirmation from a New York federal judge on that he will not face breach of contract liability in the process.

McCartney filed termination notices in 2008 pursuant to a provision in the Copyright Act, which affords song-makers whose songs were made prior to 1978 the right to terminate copyright licenses and assignments after …

January 5, 2016 Concussions / NFL

You Don’t Have to Pay for That? “Concussion” Movie Legally Allowed to Depict NFL Logos Without League’s Consent

As anyone who has ever watched a football game on TV knows, one of the first things you hear before opening kickoff is a disclaimer stating that any broadcast or use of the NFL brand or its logos without its consent is prohibited under the law. People are so used to hearing the disclaimer that they probably don’t think about it too much; they just know that in order for the TV stations to broadcast the games, they need to legally disclaim any right to …

August 11, 2015 Copyright

Her Hips Don’t Lie, But Someone Does: Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Shakira Song Due To Fake Evidence

On Monday, August 10, a New York federal judge tossed a copyright infringement case brought against Sony over Shakira’s hit song “Loca.”

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein had previously ruled against Sony, finding that “Loca” contained segments that were clearly copied from a song by Dominican artist Ramon Arias Vasquez, “Loca con su Tiguere.” After losing the initial trial, Sony claimed that the plaintiff had fabricated a cassette tape containing the Vasquez song in an attempt to prove copyright infringement.

Judge Hellerstein, citing “a …

June 18, 2015 Litigation

The Price Of Poor Security: California Judge Refuses To Throw Out Sony Employee Negligence Claims

On December 24, 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment was hacked by a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace, believed to be associated with North Korea. During the hack, personal information about Sony employees was compromised. Not long after, an action was brought by Sony employees against the company itself. The case is Michael Corona, et al. v. Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.

The lawsuit claims that Sony’s negligence caused a massive data breach, and that the plaintiffs suffered harm in the form of expenses …

January 18, 2015 Antitrust

Disney, Sony, DreamWorks Asked Court to Dismiss Anti-Poaching Lawsuit

Major animation studios filed a motion to dismiss an antitrust suit filed against them by their former employees. The defendants Disney, Sony, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky argued in the filing that the plaintiff animators brought the suit five years after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2010 began scrutinizing arrangements to freeze wages and not poach employees in the industry. Moreover, the defendants further claimed the allegations that the studios would collude to suppress wages was “implausible” when the DOJ’s probe began and after …

June 28, 2013 Contract

‘Thriller’ in the Courtroom: Former Jacksons Lawyer Sues Sony

The Jackson family is the topic for discussion in the courtroom these days. The family’s trial against AEG for negligently hiring Dr. Conrad Murray continues. Meanwhile, on Monday, June 17, 2013, former lawyer and manager for “The Jackson Five,” Richard Arons, filed suit in California Superior Court against Sony Music Entertainment (Sony).

Arons claims that Sony owes him royalties for recorded music Michael and his brothers made prior to 1983. Among other things, Arons is suing for breach of contract and improper accounting.

Arons became …