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Archives: Entertainment Law

Copyright Question: Who Owns the Left Shark?


The 2015 Super Bowl (or Super Bowl XXVZPDQ or something) has generated a legal controversy. No, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is not being sued for his terrible play calling. Rather, we’ve learned that Katy Perry’s attorneys have sent out a copyright cease and desist letter related to the infamous Left Shark. Does copyright law protect the image of an awkwardly dancing person in a shark costume?

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Copyright Question: Can I Play Music on my Podcast?


After percolating for a decade or so, podcasts have grown wildly in popularity as a communication medium. This is a result of a confluence of factors, not the least of which is the emergence of a certain story about a murder in Baltimore. We are now living in a post-Serial world. And just like with any other form of media, there’s some confusion and lack of information about the rules of the road. All of which brings me to the copyright question at hand: can I play pre-recorded music on my podcast?

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Band Name Trademark Dispute: Creedence v. John Fogerty


I’m always on the lookout for news about Creedence, particularly those having to do with leads on who broke into Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski’s car and stole his tapes, tape deck, and briefcase. Sadly, the LAPD has no update on that case, but there is a band name trademark dispute to discuss. Lead singer and songwriter John Fogerty is being sued by his former Creedence Clearwater Revival bandmates. If you’re thinking, “Huh, wasn’t there a lawsuit about that years ago?,” you’re right. And now they’re at it again.

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Trademark Dispute: Walt Disney’s Cinderella v. Zombie Cinderella


The record shows that a “zombie” is a “human … who is held to have died and been supernaturally reanimated.” You know it’s a good day when you come across that sentence in a legal document. What caused the United States Patent Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to take notice of that fact? Read on to find out about the case of Walt Disney’s Cinderella v. Zombie Cinderella. Kindly step all the way in please and make room for everyone. There’s no turning back now.

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