Intellectual Property Law Commons^™

Newsmen's Shield Laws And Subpoenas: California's Farr And The Fresno Four, Albert G. Pickerell

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The author discusses the impact of the Farr and Fresno Four decisions on the California Newsmen's Shield Law, Evidence Code § 1070. First the author discusses the history of shield laws, tracing the competing concerns with the newsman's "right to know" and the fair administration' of justice. He uses this background as a means of analyzing the meaning and scope of § 1070. Then the author turns'to the specific decisions in Farr and the Fresno Four, analyzing their impact on the shield law. He concludes with a look at the proposed constitutional amendment to reverse the results in the two …

Direct Broadcasting By Satellite: A Domestic And International Legal Controversy, Juliana Maio

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The United Nations is now considering two proposals to limit direct station-to-station television broadcasting via satellite. The Soviet proposal, which seems to be the more popular, would impose strict requirements on the broadcasting country to control the content of satellite broadcasts. The United States proposal calls for a system of co-operation consistent with its First Amendment. The author analyzes these positions, discussing the effect that adoption of the Soviet proposal would have on international law, and whether the United States would be constitutionally prohibited from adhering to it.

The Effect Of The 1976 Tax Reform Act On The Ownership Of Professional Sports Franchises, Charles Dickenson, Zook Sutton

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

With the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1976, Congress severely restricted many of the tax advantages that came with the ownership of a professional sports franchise. The authors analyze in detail the effect of the new law, first discussing the benefits that had existed under prior law, then describing the method in which the Act changed the "rules of the game," and conclude with an indication of some tax planning for the future.

Panel Discussion: What Are The Limitations On Freedom Of The Press, Daniel Schorr, Jesse H. Chopper, Sanford H. Kadish

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

Daniel Schorr, a journalist long respected for his perceptivity and integrity, was recently the center of controversy when he made possible the publication of government documents not intended for public release. He discusses the continuing controversy between the public's right to know and the sixth amendment guarantee of the right to a fair trial, concluding that the courts have not adequately protected first amendment freedoms. Jesse Choper, noted constitutional scholar and author responds, illustrating case law highly protective of the freedom of the press. The authors agree that in special situations the public's right to know outbalances the right to …

The Unfairness Doctrine - Balance And Response Over The Airwaves, Steven J. Simmons

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The "fairness doctrine" requires broadcast licensees to devote a reasonable percentage of their programming to controversial issues of public importance, and to present contrasting viewpoints when such issues are aired. The author concentrates on the requirement to present contrasting viewpoints, discussing the case law and policy guidelines that have emerged and concluding that in its present form the doctrine operates unfairly to both viewers and broadcasters. He suggests specific proposals for improvement.

The Equal Opportunities And Fairness Doctrines In Broadcasting: Should They Be Retained, Roscoe L. Barrow

UC Law SF Communications and Entertainment Journal

The author recently testified in the current hearings conducted by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications in which repeal of the Equal Opportunities and Fairness Doctrines is being considered. In this article the author discusses the constitutional bases of these doctrines, the governmental action issue in the event of their repeal, and whether the Fairness Doctrine inhibits broadcast journalism. He suggests a differential equality of access solution to the present problem of application of the Equal Opportunities Doctrine and argues that the need of the people to know should continue to be a right through the Fairness Doctrine.

New Copyright Act & Cable Television: A Signal Of Change, Michael Botein

Articles & Chapters

No abstract provided.

Cable, Copyright, Communications: Controversy, Lee Fisher, Sam Salah

Cleveland State Law Review

This Note will examine the efforts of the courts, the legislature, and the Federal Communications Com-mission (FCC) to apply the Copyright Act of 1909 to the technological developments of the twentieth century. It is submitted that the significance of Teleprompter lies not in the Court's determination that there was no copyright infringement -for that finding will soon be negated by upcoming copyright law revision -but in the inability of the Court to discard past inflexible and unrealistic approaches to the 1909 Copyright Act. Offered is a different method of viewing cable communications in terms of the Copyright Act, which recognizes …

Copyrights: Introduction, Michael Botein

Articles & Chapters

No abstract provided.

The Copyright Law And Its Relevance To Catv: Can An Old Dog Be Taught New Tricks, Alan R. Chase

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Recent Cases, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Law Review

Recent Cases --

Constitutional Law--Obscenity--Materials May Be Obscene for Minors without Being Obscene for Adults

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Constitutional Law--Standing-Federal Taxpayer Has Standing To Challenge Federal Expenditures Violating Specific Constitutional Prohibition

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Copyright--Telecommunication--CATY Carriage of Copyrighted Material Does not Constitute Infringement

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Criminal Law--Exclusion for Cause of Prospective Jurors With Scruples Against Death Penalty Violates Due Process

Protection Of The Content Of Radio And Television Programs By Common Law Copyright, Harry P. Warner

Vanderbilt Law Review

Common law copyright has reference to an individual's "right in his original, unpublished, intellectual productions," which are protected via the common law. Common law copyright antedates the copyright statutes and can furnish the creative artist adequate and complete protection within limits. The common law rights are protected independently of the statute until the creative artist has permitted the contents of his work to be communicated generally to the public. As a matter of fact, section 2 of the Copyright Code expressly provides that statutory copyright will not annul or limit the enforcement of common law rights at law or in …