Remove
Legal
legal
tour dates
LATEST ARTICLES - PAGE 4

Copyright Office Refuses Registration “Carlton Dance”

Legal
Jason Tate

Eriq Gardner, writing at Hollywood Reporter:

The U.S. Copyright Office is skeptical about Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Alfonso Ribeiro’s ownership claim over the signature “Carlton Dance,” which became famous after a 1991 episode of the Will Smith series. […]

Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the game NBA 2K, is now seizing upon the refusal in support of the argument that movements for the “Carlton Dance” are not protectable. Ribeiro is suing Take-Two as well as the publisher of Fortnite over special features that allow game players to have their avatars perform the dance.

Netflix’s ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’ Leads to “Choose Your Own Adventure” Trademark Lawsuit

Legal
Jason Tate

The Hollywood Reporter:

Chooseco, LLC, the childrens’ book publisher that owns the trademark to “Choose Your Own Adventure,” has filed a lawsuit against Netflix over the immersive film, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

According to a complaint filed in Vermont federal court on Friday, Chooseco has been using the mark since the 1980s and has sold more than 265 million copies of its Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Skrillex Loses Injury Lawsuit

Skrillex
Jason Tate

TMZ is reporting that Skrillex owes a fan over a million dollars:

A jury just awarded Jennifer Fraissl a whopping $4,525,402 in her lawsuit against the DJ, in which she claimed she suffered a stroke after he pulled a stunt at one of his concerts. Skrillex himself was found to be responsible for 35% of the damages awarded by the jury … roughly $1.6 million.

Remove

Spotify Sued for Gender Discrimination

Jason Tate

Gene Maddaus, writing at Variety:

A female sales executive sued Spotify on Tuesday, alleging that the head of sales took his staff on drug-fueled “boys’ trips” to the Sundance Film Festival, and excluded women who were better qualified.

Hong Perez filed suit in New York Supreme Court, accusing the streaming company of systemically discriminating against female employees. Perez alleges that her boss, Brian Berner, selected an all-male group to attend Sundance in 2016 and 2017, and that some of the men got into a physical altercation during one of the trips.

Travis Barker Says Nerve Damage Caused by Medical Malpractice

Travis Barker
Jason Tate

TMZ:

In the lawsuit — obtained by TMZ — Barker claims in June he went to The Medical Imaging Center in Santa Monica to receive an MRI as part of his routine checkup for his upcoming tour. Barker was to be sedated before the procedure, but technicians were unable to find a vein, sticking him at least 40x times in the process with a dirty needle and giving him staph. He’s suing the medical office.

Music Modernization Act Passes in Senate

Jason Tate

Ed Christman, writing at Billboard:

The long road to copyright revision is nearing its end as the U.S. Senate passed the Music Modernization Act by unanimous consent Tuesday (Sept. 18). The move mimics the House’s unilateral support, previously passing the bill by a vote of 415-0 back in April.

With the Senate’s move, the legislation has been renamed the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act in honor of the Republican senior senator from Utah — a songwriter himself — who will retire at the end of his term this year.

Kanye West and Tidal Facing Lawsuit of Exclusive Claims

Kanye West
Jason Tate

Marc Hogan, writing for Pitchfork:

Kanye West and Tidal can’t dodge a lawsuit that alleges they tricked fans into subscribing to the streaming service by falsely claiming it would be the only place to hear West’s 2016 album The Life of Pablo, a judge has ruled.

In an an 18-page opinion today that was obtained by Pitchfork, U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Woods granted parts of Tidal’s motions to dismiss the proposed class-action lawsuit but denied other parts, allowing the case to go forward as it relates to a tweet West made on February 15, 2016.

The Used Granted Restraining Order

The Used
Jason Tate

TMZ is reporting that The Used have been granted a restraining order against former guitarist Justin Shekoski:

The Used were granted the protection … which requires Shekoski to stay 100 yards away from all members of the group, and any place they work. That includes any venues where the group’s performing.

Remove

Radiohead’s Publisher Says No Lawsuit Filed

Radiohead
Jason Tate

Radiohead’s publishers have sent a statement to Pitchfork regarding Lana Del Rey’s comments over the weekend:

As Radiohead’s music publisher, it’s true that we’ve been in discussions since August of last year with Lana Del Rey’s representatives. It’s clear that the verses of “Get Free” use musical elements found in the verses of “Creep” and we’ve requested that this be acknowledged in favour of all writers of “Creep.” To set the record straight, no lawsuit has been issued and Radiohead have not said they “will only accept 100%” of the publishing of “Get Free.”

Lana Del Rey Says Radiohead Are Suing Her

Lana Del Rey
Jason Tate

Lana Del Rey has confirmed on Twitter that Radiohead are suing her over “Get Free” apparently sounding too much like “Creep:”

It’s true about the lawsuit. Although I know my song wasn’t inspired by Creep, Radiohead feel it was and want 100% of the publishing – I offered up to 40 over the last few months but they will only accept 100. Their lawyers have been relentless, so we will deal with it in court.

Insane Clown Posse Lose Legal Fight Over Juggalo ‘Gang’ Label

Legal
Jason Tate

Jon Blistein, writing for Rolling Stone:

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the FBI’s decision to list the Juggalos as a gang was not a “final agency” action, meaning it was not legally binding and could not be challenged in court.

The FBI classified the Juggalos as a gang in their 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. The report referred to them as “a loosely-organized hybrid gang” that engages in “sporadic, disorganized, individualistic” crime such as, “simple assault, personal drug use and possession, petty theft and vandalism.”

Modest Mouse Singer Isaac Brock Sued for $865k

Modest Mouse
Jason Tate

Aimee Green, writing for The Oregonian:

A 41-year-old Portland city employee struck by the SUV of local rock star Isaac Brock — who said he fell asleep at the wheel — filed an $865,000 lawsuit Wednesday against the Modest Mouse lead singer.

The lawsuit, filed by city employee Cassidy Kane, claims Brock — the frontman of the indie rock band — was “impaired” when he slammed his 2004 Land Rover into the back of Kane’s City of Portland pickup truck at 9:20 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2016.

Remove

ACLU Defending Blogger From Defamation Claim by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift
Jason Tate

The ACLU is defending a blogger from a defamation claim by Taylor Swift. From today’s press release:

On Sep. 5, PopFront editor Meghan Herning wrote a post titled “Swiftly to the alt-right: Taylor subtly gets the lower case kkk in formation.” The post is a mix of political speech and critical commentary, and discusses the resurgence of white supremacy and the fact that some white supremacists have embraced Swift. It also provides a critical interpretation of some of Swift’s music, lyrics, and videos. The post ends by calling on Swift to personally denounce white supremacy, saying “silence in the face of injustice means support for the oppressor.”

On Oct. 25, Herning received an intimidating letter from Swift and her attorney labeling the blog post as defamatory and demanding that she issue a retraction, remove the story from all media sources, and cease and desist. The letter threatened a lawsuit.

Seems like a lot of money to pay lawyers instead of just saying “white supremacy is really fucking bad.”

Remove