Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons^™

Trademark Vigilance In The Twenty-First Century: A Pragmatic Approach, Peter S. Sloane, Bret I. Parker, Eric A. Prager, Kathleen Donohue

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

To Tax Or Not To Tax: Is A Non-Resident Tennis Player's Endorsement Income Subject To Taxation In The United States?, John J. Coneys, Jr.

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Deflowering Of The Parthenon: A Legal And Moral Analysis On Why The "Elgin Marbles" Must Be Returned To Greece, Michael J. Reppas Ii

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Necessary Protections For Famous Trademark Holders On The Internet, Gregory D. Phillips

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The Internet is being catapulted to the forefront of commerce and will soon become one of the largest players in the commercial world. Famous and wellknown marks have been the special target of a variety of predatory and parasitical practices on the Internet, such as "cybersquatting" and "cyberpiracy." These practices have been exacerbated by registering domain names through offshore or fictitious entities, or by providing false or fictitious information to the registrar of the domain names, Network Solutions, Inc. This article outlines the problems of "cyberabuse" faced by famous trademark holders on the Internet, and outlines important protections that need …

Consumer Advocacy In The Sports Industry: Recognizing And Enforcing The Legal Rights Of Sports Fans, Amy Wang

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

In the business of today's sports industry, the sports fan has been relegated to the status of a second-class consumer, exercising little influence over major market decisions. This note highlights some of the more fundamental issues affecting the rights of sports fans, focusing specifically on the rights arising from ticket ownership and the rights arising from support of local teams and players.

Should Motion Picture Studios And Filmmakers Face Tort Liability For The Acts Of Individuals Who Watch Their Films, S. Michael Kernan

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Motion pictures are speech, just like any other form of expression. As such, the First Amendment protects filmmakers from both criminal liability and tort liability for the speech in their films. A recent opinion from Louisiana, which was denied review by the United States Supreme Court, may have a great impact on filmmaker liability. As long as a plaintiff follows a specific pleading format, filmmakers will be forced to spend the money necessary to defend against potentially frivolous lawsuits all the way through the discovery phase, up and until they prepare an expensive motion for summary judgment. This article analyzes …

Defending Larry Flynt: Why Attacking Flynt's Outing Of Sexual Affairs Is Misguided, Clay Calvert, Robert D. Richards

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

No abstract provided.

Marching To Madness: Dual Use Trademarks After Illinois High School Association V. Gte Vantage, Jonathan Berger

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

March is the month when the college basketball season draws to a close, and the insanity associated with the championship tournaments begins. In 1996, the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that the term "March Madness" existed with dual-usage. This article argues that there was no need to create the concept of the "dual-use trademark" at all, and that the existing trademark-law framework was perfectly adequate for the task of adjudicating issues such as the one presented here. This article further contends that the potential perils of dualuse trademarks far outweigh any benefits that might spring from their …

Sports And The Law: A Modern Anthology, Alfred Mathewson, Kenneth Shropshire

Faculty Book Display Case

Sports law literature has evolved over the last twenty years as writers have successfully grappled with the myriad legal and quasi-legal issues that arise in the context of sports. Scholars addressing these topics have heightened our understanding of the complex factual, legal, and social issues that sports matters generate. This anthology continues this development and includes excerpts that address the broad dimensions of sports and the law.

Rather than simply explain the law, the excerpts contained in Sports and the Law seek also to examine the multiple variables that have influenced the development of the law of sports. After presenting …

Internet Domain Names And Trademarks: Recent Developments In Domestic And International Disputes, G. Gervaise Davis Iii

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Domain name conflicts have already become a significant legal issue in the United States and are starting to be a similar problem in other nations, especially in the European Community. These disputes can easily turn into costly litigation and/or expensive negotiations over transferring the name from one owner to another, between owners of existing domain names and similar trademarks. While there are a number of pending changes in the domain name assignment procedures, it seems unlikely that the proposals will resolve anything, and in fact, the proposals will probably lead to more litigation.

The New Wave Of Speech And Privacy Developments In Cyberspace, Eric J. Sinrod, Jeffrey W. Reyna, Barak D. Jolish

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

As with any other medium of information, the Internet has the potential to be used as a tool for businesses, individuals, and government to peer into people's personal lives. Conversely, many are concerned that the Internet can also be used to deliver objectionable or obscene information to minors. These concerns fuel the ongoing debate over whether and how to regulate the Internet to protect the privacy and speech concerns implicated by its many uses. Congress, the courts, the European Community, and a coalition of Internet industry members have taken several decisive steps in an effort to focus the ever-changing policy …

Recent Trademark Cases Examine Reverse Domain Name Hijacking, Carl Oppedahl

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The outcome of a domain name dispute can fall anywhere along a spectrum. Some courts grant strong remedies against domain name owners, while others find no liability for domain name owners with common or generic dictionary words that are used by many companies. For every highly visible "strong remedies" case in which the trademark owner chose to go to federal court, there have been dozens of unpublicized cases in which the challenger went to the "court" of Network Solutions, Inc. instead. This article focuses on the three recent cases in which domain name owners, faced with NSI decisions in favor …

The Transferability Of Non-Exclusive Copyright Licenses: A New Default Rule For Software In The Ninth Circuit, Brandon M. Villery

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The merger and acquisition of companies using software technology can generate a need to transfer valuable software licenses from a target company to an acquiring company. As a default rule in the Ninth Circuit, a licensee cannot assign a non-exclusive copyright license without the express authorization of the licensor. Consequently, an acquired licensee may be forced to renegotiate an otherwise valid software license, even if it survives the acquisition and continues to operate as a subsidiary. Understandably, the issue of copyright license transferability continues to pose a problem in mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies. This note analyzes the Ninth Circuit's decision …

You've Got Mud On Your Face: Have Mp3s Turned The Middleman Into Roadkill, Jessica Trivellini Toney

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Moving Picture Expert Group Audio Layer 3, or MP3s, computer audio files transmitted over the Internet, have emerged as powerful challengers to the current music distribution system. MP3s challenge the recording industry on two fronts: piracy and sidestepping industry distribution channels. This note explores how copyright law applies to computer sound files, including MP3s, and demonstrates how advances in MP3 technology have made infringement concerns a significant problem. This note concludes that the record industry must radically change its current marketing scheme and adopt a low cost licensing approach in order to adapt successfully in the digital age.

Choice Of Entity And Securities Aspects Of Independent Film Offerings By First-Time Filmmakers, Michael L. Maddren

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Independent films have become increasingly common over recent years. It has become increasingly difficult for these first-time filmmakers to obtain studio financing. Filmmakers who cannot obtain studio financing often turn to private investors. A filmmaker seeking private investor financing must confront several legal issues. This article examines the choice of entity and securities law aspects of independent film financing, and makes suggestions for the independent filmmaker facing these issues.

The Owned Public Domain: The Constitutional Right Not To Be Excluded - Or The Supreme Court Chose The Right Breakfast Cereal In Kellogg V. National Biscuit Co., Malla Pollack

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Before the rise of law and economics, the Supreme Court vigorously enforced the public right to use material in the public domain upon the expiration of utility patents. This right was most notably upheld in Kellogg v. Nat'l Biscuit Co. Recently, numerous Federal Circuit courts have failed to follow the holding of Kellogg. This article discusses the Lockian conception of property, argues that Kellogg was based upon sound Constitutional footing, and suggests that the current Court should follow that Constitutional reasoning, rather than distinguishing the case based on economic theory in its consideration of TrafFix Devices v. Marketing Displays this …

National Endowment Of The Arts V. Finley: The Propriety Of Viewpoint In Arts Funding Still Unknown, Melissa S. Vignovic

Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal (1994 - )

No abstract provided.

United States V. Santee Sioux Tribe Of Nebraska: The Future Of Igra And Indian Gaming In Jeopardy, Russell Lannutti

Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal (1994 - )

No abstract provided.

Changing The Rules: Why The Current "Actual Knowledge" Sexual Harrasment Standard Doesn't Make The Cut In Athletics, Andrea Ivory

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

In clear cases of sexual harassment, it is easy and appropriate to punish improper, predatory behavior. In such cases, the victim will be compelled to report the abuse, and the school will be compelled to respond. But the athletic environment occupies the blurry periphery of conduct that violates personhood. Here, in the sports context, intimate contact is routine, whether in heated moments on the field or in the forced companionship on the road. There is an increased risk of sexual harassment because the very environment is characterized by close physical and emotional relationships as well as unequal power relations. Physical …

Music, Money, And The Middleman: The Relationship Between The Songwriter And The Publisher, Cornelius Cowles

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

Money, along with creative drive and the chance to work in an exciting industry, push the publisher and songwriter both. This article seeks to help the songwriter under-stand the role of the music publisher, an indispensable and unavoidable part of the country music industry. It examines the songwriter-publisher relationship from the perspective of those people active in the industry and examines criticism of the publisher's role. It further analyzes the typically thorny legal and contractual issues faced by the songwriter in negotiating an exclusive songwriting agreement with the publisher. Finally, recognizing the special role of songwriters in Nashville, it addresses …

Legal Mechanisms Of Public-Private Partnerships: Promoting Economic Development Or Benefiting Corporate Welfare?, Nick Beermann

Seattle University Law Review

This Comment argues that while the public may ultimately benefit economically from public-private partnership development, the legal mechanisms used in public-private partnerships to skirt the constitution violate the public trust by (1) precluding the public from obtaining information regarding these projects; (2) denying the taxpaying public their right to participate in public choices and spending decisions that affect them; and (3) severely impinging on the public's state constitutional right to the referendum process. Furthermore, by allowing these mechanisms to exist, the Washington Supreme Court only furthers the violation of the public's trust, while simultaneously weakening the role of the judiciary …

Authors Stripped Of Their Electronic Rights In Tasini V. New York Times Co, 32 J. Marshall L. Rev. 409 (1999), Michael Spink

UIC Law Review

No abstract provided.

Classic Films And Historic Landmarks: Protecting America's Film Heritage From Digital Alteration, 33 J. Marshall L. Rev. 185 (1999), Helen K. Gieb

UIC Law Review

No abstract provided.

Music Included On Software Downloaded From The Internet: Public Performance Or Private Use, Christopher Paul Moore

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

This note addresses the applicability of the public performance right when software creators license copyrighted music to include on software that is sold and delivered directly over the Internet. This note contends that when software is bought from a site on the Internet, and then digitally downloaded to a consumer, a public performance has occurred under section 106(4) of the Copyright Act.

Preparing Your Music Client For Web Distribution, Stephanie Brauner

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Digital transmission of recordings is becoming an extremely important method of distribution. As this method of distribution becomes increasingly common, attorneys practicing in this industry will be compelled to advise their clients of the choices available in releasing their musical expressions on the Internet. This article provides a basic overview of the digital transmission process, discusses the current state of copyright protections for musicians and the failings in those protections, and will present other viable options that allow for the protection of a client's interests.

Foreword, Chelsea M. Doerrie

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

No abstract provided.

Panel Discussion - To Bot Or Not To Bot: The Implications Of Spidering, David Kramer, Jay Monahan

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Mr. Kramer and Mr. Monahan discuss the issues raised by the use of bots on the Internet and the implication of such use in litigation. Bots, or spidering programs, are software devices used to access specific information contained on web sites. Bots are commonly used when search engines comb the web to generate responses to queries. However, other less than noble uses, including the gathering of e-mail addresses for "spamming" and the taking of a site's content and reposting it elsewhere, raise complex legal issues and have generated considerable litigation.

Symposium Presentation: Doing Internet Co-Branding Agreements, Eric Goldman

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Mr. Goldman discusses many important issues that need to be considered when deciding to participate in and when drafting co-branding agreements, but which are often overlooked. As internet co-branding has become ubiquitous as a means of combining one website's functionality and another's marketing muscle in online business, practitioners handling co-branding agreements face the challenge of choosing the correct legal paradigms as starting points in these kinds of negotiations. Co-branding agreements often incorporate advertising, trademark licensing, service provisions and domain name components. In light of this complexity, choosing the wrong starting point can frustrate the process by omitting key issues from …

Food For Sport Or Faustian Bargain: Regulating Performance Enhancing Dietary Supplements, Jennifer Kay Braman

Cleveland State Law Review

The defining line between legal and illegal substance-between dietary supplement and drug is horribly skewed. Accordingly, Part I of this Note will investigate the complexities that exist with regard to the classification and regulation of dietary supplements, looking at the history leading to the passage of the governing Dietary Health and Supplement Act of 1994. Part II will focus on supplements that consumers may use for performance enhancement purposes, and the regulation of sports products. Part III will look at the regulatory debate over dietary supplements, the andro product example and the interrelationship between drugs and sport. Part IV will …

Players, Owners, And Contracts In The Nfl: Why The Self-Help Specific Performance Remedy Cannot Escape The Clean Hands Doctrine, Stephen C. Wichmann

Seattle University Law Review

Is it fair that professional football players possess so much control in renegotiating contracts? Do the players in fact possess the control that we perceive them to have? Often, players do have most of the bargaining power, as in the case of college players being chosen in the draft. Once a team has chosen to pursue a draftee out of college, no other team has the right to interfere with that process. If that club fails to sign the player, the club wastes a valuable pick, and there is no remedy for such a failure. But after that introduction into …