Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons^™

Copyright Co-Ownership In Uncertain Times: How Security Interests Can Save The Day, Evie Whiting, Ashleigh Stanley

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

Films and television series are increasingly being created undera co-production model, making copyright co-ownership a common occurrence in the world of Hollywood content creation. So long as each co-owner’s rights are pre-negotiated and specifically delineated in their contracts, the co-owners can rest assured that their rights to the project and any potential derivative works are safe. Or can they?

In the modern entertainment landscape, where tentpole programming and related spinoffs and derivatives are the gold standard of content creation, the proper protection of co-owned copyrights is more important than ever. But tenuous financial outlooks pose a looming, existential threat to …

Volume 31 Masthead

Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal (1994 - )

No abstract provided.

Fight For Your Life: A Study Of Fairness In The Ultimate Fighting Championship's Anti-Doping Policy Appeals Process, Brandon Hamroff

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

No abstract provided.

Corporate Governance And Gender Equality: A Study Of Comply-Or-Explain Disclosure Regulation, Aaron A. Dhir, Sarah Kaplan, Maria Arabella Robles

Seattle University Law Review

In 2020, the Nasdaq Stock Market filed a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission seeking permission to adopt a board diversity-related disclosure requirement for its listed companies. In 2021, the SEC approved the proposal, thus entrenching Nasdaq’s position as the most significant stock exchange to date to mandate listing rules that reflect the intention of diversifying corporate boardrooms. Nasdaq’s movement into the diversity space is not the first attempt to address homogeneous boards in the U.S. In 2009, the SEC adopted a rule requiring publicly traded firms to report on whether they consider diversity in identifying director nominees. …

Judicial Ethics And The Eradication Of Racism, Dontay Proctor-Mills

Seattle University Law Review

In 2020, the Washington Supreme Court entrusted the legal community with working to eradicate racism from its legal system. Soon after, Washington’s Commission on Judicial Conduct (hereinafter the Commission) received a complaint about a bus ad for North Seattle College featuring King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan. Along with a photo of Judge Keenan’s face, the ad included the following language: “A Superior Court Judge, David Keenan got into law in part to advocate for marginalized communities. David’s changing the world. He started at North.” The Commission admonished Judge Keenan for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct, in part …

Table Of Contents, Seattle University Law Review

Seattle University Law Review

Table of Contents

Why Corporate Boards Should Include Lgbtq+ People, Jeremy Mcclane, Darren Rosenblum

Seattle University Law Review

Corporate boardrooms sit at the heart of most of society’s most consequential decisions but fall far short of the diversity of our society. The current movement toward board diversification aims to remedy the underrepresentation of marginalized groups on corporate boards. More recently, some efforts have included LGBTQ+ people, even though the basis for their inclusion on corporate boards remains largely unstated. This Article examines both the normative and instrumental bases for LGBTQ+ inclusion in board diversity initiatives, articulating unspoken assumptions and linking LGBTQ+ people to the broader inclusion effort. In so doing, it begins to surface the unique issues LGBTQ+ …

Promoting Female Sporting Opportunities Without Title Ix: The Spanish Experience, Stephen Ross, Maria Josefa Garcia Cirac

Faculty Scholarship

This article compares the American approach to improving sporting opportunities for females – Title IX – with approaches taken by Spain. Because of the singular American dedication to elite interscholastic and intercollegiate sports, Title IX’s requirement of equal treatment requires that elite female athletes have equivalent opportunities to elite male athletes. The Spanish approach looks instead on the social benefits of athletics participation for boys, men, girls, and women.

How To Get Away With Discrimination: The Use Of Algorithms To Discriminate In The Internet Entertainment Industry, Sumra Wahid

American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law

In July 2021, Ziggi Tyler posted a video on TikTok, a popular video sharing platform, where he expressed his frustration with being a Black content creator on TikTok. The video showed Ziggi typing phrases such as “Black Lives Matter” or “Black success” into his Marketplace creator bio, which the app would immediately flag as inappropriate content. However, when Ziggi replaced those words with “white supremacy” or “white success,” no inappropriateness warning appeared. Although a TikTok spokesperson responded to the video clarifying that the app had mistakenly flagged phrases without considering word order, Ziggi refused to let an algorithm absolve TikTok …

Table Of Contents - Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 40, Iss. 3

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Masthead - Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, Vol. 41 (2022-23)

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Reclaiming Feudalism For The Technological Era, Shelly Kreiczer-Levy

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article argues that traditional personal property law fails to adequately address the complexities of AI-capable assets, such as robots, which require a new framework to balance manufacturer control with user rights. It proposes two models—the connection model and the competition model—to regulate these relationships, emphasizing the need for collaboration, data ownership, and consumer protection in the evolving landscape of technological ownership.

Introductory Remarks, Ethan Bordman, Ira S. Dizengoff, Sophie Dizengoff

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article discusses the legal implications and challenges surrounding college athletes' rights to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), following the NCAA's 2021 decision to lift its ban on athletes cashing in on their fame. The symposium explores the evolving legal landscape, including regulatory frameworks, equity issues, and the role of collectives, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines to address the complexities arising from this change.

Keynote Address, Andrew Zimbalist

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article examines the evolution of name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies in college athletics, highlighting the legal, economic, and educational implications of allowing college athletes to profit from their NIL. It argues that while recent legal cases and state legislation have expanded NIL rights, the lack of enforceable guardrails has created a chaotic system dominated by booster collectives, exacerbating financial and equity issues in college sports. The analysis critiques the NCAA's ineffective oversight and advocates for congressional intervention to establish a national framework addressing these challenges.

Panel 2: Regulations & Other Congressional Concerns, Sam C. Ehrlich, Dan Lust, Matt Mitten, John T. Wolohan, Andrew Zimbalist, Maureen Weston

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article examines the evolution of college athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, highlighting the shift from NCAA control to a chaotic regulatory landscape influenced by court rulings and state laws. The NCAA seeks Congressional intervention for antitrust immunity to address these challenges.

Ip Law In The Shadow Of Norms, Elizabeth L. Rosenblatt

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article explores the interplay between formal intellectual property (IP) law and social norms in governing creative and innovative communities. It argues that while IP law is essential, it should not overshadow the significant role of norms, which often provide effective governance within specific communities. The author suggests that law should be mindful of diverse norms to promote social justice and innovation, recognizing that norms can both complement and conflict with formal legal frameworks.

Conflict Resolution-Negotiation: Liv V. Pga Tour, Ross Herman

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

No abstract provided.

Big Screen Or Bust?: How Contractual Negotiations In Hollywood Must Adapt In The Streaming Era, Alexis Narotzky

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Scarlett Johansson made her first appearance as her superhero alter-ego, the Black Widow, on May 7, 2010, in the movie Iron Man 2. Over the next intervening eleven years, Johansson appeared in several of Disney's Marvel ("Disney" or "Marvel") movies in supporting roles. On July 9, 2021, Marvel released the Black Widow with Scarlett Johansson as the lead character. Johansson's agreement for her character's eponymous film was built upon the expectation of large bonuses based on profit from outsized box-office receipts, understood as a profit-participation or contingent compensation contract. Johansson's lawyers negotiated for a "wide theatrical release" to protect …

Name, Image And Likeness: Giving College Athletes The Clearest Guidance To Best Profit Off Their Nil, Scott Semaya

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that the Supreme Court's decision in NCAA v. Alston has created a legal and regulatory void by invalidating the NCAA's restrictions on student-athletes' ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). While the ruling opened the door for student-athletes to earn compensation, it left unresolved questions about the scope and enforcement of NIL rights. The lack of federal legislation has led to a patchwork of state laws, causing confusion and inequities for student-athletes, schools, and the NCAA. The note advocates for immediate federal intervention to establish uniform guidelines and level the playing field, while also …

Blockchain, The Superhero That The Healthcare Industry Needs, Victor Wang

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that blockchain technology holds significant potential for transforming the healthcare industry by enhancing data security and efficiency. However, its integration faces legal challenges due to conflicts with existing healthcare laws, particularly the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the HITECH Act. The note contends that blockchain's decentralized and immutable nature violates key HIPAA requirements, such as data disposal and accountability standards. It advocates for updating these laws to accommodate blockchain technology and ensure compliance, emphasizing the need for legal frameworks to evolve alongside technological advancements.

Strengthening Nagpra, B. Stephen Jones

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note examines the limitations of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in addressing international repatriation of cultural patrimony and proposes complementary legal frameworks to fill these gaps. It highlights the potential of the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act (STOP Act) and the Indigenous McClain Doctrine to enhance protections, while advocating for the recognition of intangible cultural patrimony and the use of moral rights and the right to publicity to safeguard Indigenous cultural sovereignty.

All The Way To Hell: An Artist's Legal Descent Into The Underworld Of Oil And Gas, Madison S. Marlow

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

Eliza Evans’ project, All the Way to Hell, employs a novel legal strategy to challenge Oklahoma’s permissive fracking regulations by fragmenting mineral rights among thousands of co-owners, aiming to disrupt the forced pooling process. While her approach highlights systemic legal and environmental issues, the state’s industry-friendly framework and regulatory capture present significant barriers to meaningful change. The note argues that Evans’ activism underscores the need for legislative reform to balance individual property rights with environmental protection.

Putting Trust In Technology: A Pandemic's Effect On Remote Estate Planning, Amy Weiss

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote witnessing and notarization in trusts and estates, offering convenience but introducing risks like fraud and privacy concerns. The article advocates for a balanced approach, suggesting uniform national standards to mitigate these risks while maintaining the benefits of remote processes.

America Is Watching, But Are They Listening?, Nancy Kartos

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note examines the persistent issue of violence against Black people, particularly at the hands of police, and how social media has become a significant factor in hindering accountability. It draws historical parallels between past racial violence, such as lynchings during the Jim Crow era, and contemporary police brutality, highlighting how social media amplifies yet polarizes public discourse. The analysis critiques the legal system's failure to hold police accountable, with a focus on the doctrine of qualified immunity, and explores how political polarization exacerbates the problem. The note ultimately argues that without addressing these systemic and technological challenges, meaningful reform …

Pay No Attention To The Influencer Behind The Curtain, Eliza Logan

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must strengthen its regulation of social media influencers, particularly on platforms like Instagram, due to their significant influence on consumer behavior and the potential for deceptive marketing practices. It emphasizes that influencers should be held accountable similarly to advertising agencies, as their unique ability to build trust and authenticity with followers makes their endorsements more impactful than traditional advertising.

The Ftc's "Made In America" Enforcement Policy Is Too Stringent For Small Businesses To Comply With, Jamie Cutler

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) "Made in America" policy is overly stringent and disproportionately burdensome for small businesses. The policy requires products labeled as "Made in America" to contain "all or virtually all" parts and processing from the U.S., a standard that is often ambiguous, economically prohibitive, and misaligned with consumer perceptions. The note contends that this strict enforcement creates a "Hobson's choice" for small businesses, making it infeasible for them to comply without suffering financial harm or reputational damage. It advocates for lowering the threshold to allow more flexibility, which would support small businesses, promote …

Reconsidering A Private Right Of Action Under Vawa: How The Media Portrays Violence Against Women And Its Effect On Commerce Clause Jurisprudence, Lauren Chamberlin

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that the Violence Against Women Act's (VAWA) private right of action was a valid exercise of Congress's Commerce Clause powers, contrary to the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Morrison. It contends that gender-based violence substantially affects interstate commerce and that the Court's decision was influenced by outdated perceptions of such violence as a private matter. The article advocates for the reenactment of the private right of action, emphasizing the need for Congress, the courts, and the states to address the economic and societal impacts of gender-based violence.

Fragmented Music Copyright Protection: A Better Arrangement, Matthew B. Goldman

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note explores the challenges of music copyright law, particularly in determining the protectability of fragmented elements within musical works. It argues that by applying doctrinal tools such as the idea-expression distinction, merger, scenes a faire, and thin copyright, courts can better balance the protection of original expression with the need to allow future creativity. The analysis focuses on two key cases, Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin and Gray v. Perry, to illustrate how these tools can be effectively used to resolve music copyright disputes.

Combating False Election Information In A Section 230 Protected World: To Moderate Or Not To Moderate, Caitlin Muraca

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note examines the challenges of combating false election information on social media platforms, focusing on the role of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. It argues that while Section 230 is crucial for protecting online speech, its current form is inadequate in addressing the spread of misinformation in the modern digital landscape. The note evaluates various proposals for reform, including the repeal or modification of Section 230, and suggests a balanced approach that maintains its protections while incentivizing improved content moderation to combat false election information.

Accelerating Toward The Inevitable: How Covid-19 Helped Alter Traditional Models Of Talent Compensation In The Film Industry, Raven Berzal

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a significant shift in the film industry’s talent compensation models, driven by the rise of streaming platforms and the decline of traditional theatrical releases. This transformation has moved compensation structures from backend profit-sharing to upfront payments, raising legal and contractual challenges. The Johansson v. Disney case exemplifies these disputes, highlighting the need for clearer definitions of success and compensation in the streaming era. The industry is likely to adopt hybrid models, blending upfront fees with alternative compensation methods, as streaming continues to reshape how talent is paid.