Apr 24
My friend and podcast co-host Tamera Bennett has posted an article at her blog about the valuation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein music publishing catalog. Apparently, the catalog was worth around $200 Million when it was recently purchased by a Dutch pension fund. This valuation is estimated by experts who suggest that it’s probably around 14 times the catalog’s annual earnings.
Check out Tamera’s blog piece, which includes several links to other news stories. Music Publishing A Good Investment « Current Trends in Copyright, Trademark & Entertainment Law.
Apr 21
Entertainment Law Update Podcast
I’ve been talking about this quite a bit lately, and it’s finally here… My new podcasting venture is a reality.
Episode 1 of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, hosted by yours truly, along with Tamera Bennett is now online .
In this episode
- SAG & AMPTP have arrived at a deal…
- The competing “Octomom” trademark registrations
- Is giving a (loaded) iPod as a gift an act of copyright infringement? (First Sale and Fair Use) (President’s gift to Queen ElizabethII)
- Copyright and Defamation issues in new social media… Twitter, Facebook, etc. Courtney Love being sued.. a cautionary tale for anybody who uses the Web? 1st Circuit won’t review defamation ruling in Noonan vs. Staples.
- Copyright holders taking action against content “scraping” websites. (Hot News doctrine)
- Fair Use, YouTube, DMCA takedowns, etc. -YouTube says 37% of DMCA takedown notices are not valid copyright claims, etc.
- Wish Upon a star” – Fox’s “Family Guy” “parody”/”satire”
Litigation: “Push” lawsuits – When is a deal a deal?
- Featured Topic: Ownership of partners’ and principals’ intellectual property contributions to a business in the absence of employment agreements.
CLE Credit for attorneys who listen to the podcast is pending approval in California and Texas. Attorneys from other states should check the rules for out-of-state programs. We’ll add more States as demand arises.
Apr 14
One of my favorite blogs is Ken Davenport’s PRODUCER’S PERSPECTIVE. Ken has posted an insightful piece about cyber-squatters and the need to register your show’s domain name(s) early. The article is titled: Got an idea for a show? Here’s the first thing you should do.
This is among the first recommendations I make to any producer planning a show, film, album, whatever.
(Via PRODUCER’S PERSPECTIVE Ken Davenport, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Theater )
Apr 13
Launching April 20th, Entertainment Law Update is an audio podcast featuring Entertainment attorneys Gordon P. Firemark and Tamera Bennett.
Every month, our hosts and guests will survey the legal landscape of the entertainment industry, discussing the top cases and news stories of interest to lawyers and entertainment business professionals.
Each episode will feature a news roundup, discussion of recent case law, and an in-depth discussion on a legal issue, or other practical topic of interest to our listeners.
Attorneys who listen can opt into receiving continuing legal education credit*, and the programs will be of interest to all entertainment and media professionals.
Producer and host Gordon Firemark says, “We’re really hoping this will be a dialogue with our audience. Listener feedback is more than just welcome, we’re counting on it. Our colleagues in the legal profession are encouraged to submit topic ideas, and we hope to select guests to join us from those who submit ideas.”
Listeners can find (and listen to) the podcast at http://www.entertainmentlawupdate.com
or can subscribe using the iTunes store* or the handy links on the website.
*(pending approval by applicable bar associations)
**(available soon)
