Echoes of 2023: Legal Landscape Shifts, AI Battles, and NFT Dramas – A Year in Entertainment Law and Predictions for 2024


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In Memoriam: Sandra Day O’Connor 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Day_O%27Connor

https://www.scotusblog.com/2023/12/roberts-pays-tribute-to-oconnor/

https://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/exhibitions/SOCExhibit/Section3.aspx

Hall and Oates Partnership Sale 

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/hall-oates-legal-drama-judge-blocks-sale-1235815321/

https://www.foxbusiness.com/entertainment/hall-oates-sale-still-pause-after-ultimate-partnership-betrayal-judge-rules

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/hall-and-oates-lawsuit-restraining-order-1235805425/

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2023/11/20/hall-and-oates-lawsuit/

https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/hall-oates-lawsuit-restraining-order-hearing-nashville-court-battle-1235518303/

Rap Lyrics as evidence in criminal cases 

Judge Rules Young Thug’s Lyrics Can Be Used In YSL RICO Case: ‘The First Amendment Is Not On Trial’

YSL trial delayed after Young Thug’s co-defendant stabbed in Atlanta jail | Courthouse News Service

RAP Act, a Bill to Ban Use of Lyrics as Court Evidence, Reintroduced to Congress

Louisiana prosecutors won’t be able to use lyrics as evidence of character under new law

Lyrics On Trial: A History Of Rap Bars Used In Court and How Precedent May Effect Young Thug’s Fate | News | BET

Analysis of New SAG/AFTRA and WGA contracts post-strike(s)

Jennifer Aniston’s Eyes and Brad Pitt’s Smile: How SAG-AFTRA Fought AI Zombies

http://sagaftra.org/contracts2023 

https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/contracts/2023-tvtheatrical-contracts?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

https://puck.news/what-the-actors-really-won-on-a-i/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Disney Asks Microsoft to Curtail AI Tools to prevent Trademark Infringement 

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/law/report-disney-asks-microsoft-to-prevent-ai-users-from-infringing-its-trademarks-235039.html

Court Grants Motion To Dismiss in Kadrey AI Training Data Case 

Kadrey v. Meta Platforms Inc, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, No. 3:23-cv-03417

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c618ed58-9e11-41d1-8130-e2fb926c4340&utm_source=lexology+daily+newsfeed&utm_medium=html+email+-+body+-+general+section&utm_campaign=calibar+ip+section+subscriber+daily+feed&utm_content=lexology+daily+newsfeed+2023-11-27&utm_term=

 https://www.courthousenews.com/artists-beaten-back-in-california-lawsuit-against-ai-image-generators/  

Second Circuit affirms district court’s granting of preliminary injunction against MSCHF for Van’s Knockoffs 

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca2/22-1006/22-1006-2023-12-05.html

https://entertainmentlawupdate.com/2021/04/googles-fair-use-warhols-isnt-or-is-it/

Contrast with US – Beijing Court Finds AI-Generated Image is Copyrightable in Split with United States 

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/computer-love-beijing-court-finds-ai-generated-image-copyrightable-split-united#google_vignette

Year End Roundup 

Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, INC. v. GOLDSMITH ET AL.

Bad Spaniels 

Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products LLC

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/11/29/armless-palmer-name-change-dead-billionaire/71742963007/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/11/29/liquid-death-renames-arnold-palmer-inspired-drink-to-dead-billionaire-after-legal-threat/

AI in the legal news all year 

Copyright Office and District Court rule that AI generated material not entitled to copyright protection

Lawyers’ use of AI tools in briefing courts

Copyright infringement claims by authors, artists, stock agencies, etc.

NFTS – We Predicted in 2023 that NFTs would be a hot topic

Artist owes $1.5 million in damages for fake Bored Ape NFTs Yuga Labs Inc v. Ripps, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 22-56199

…and Predictions

Governments around the world will wrestle with AI regulation (and copyright) 

https://www.osborneclarke.com/insights/eus-ai-act-what-do-we-know-so-far-about-agreed-text

Section 230 under siege 

Free Speech vs  regulation of Social Media

https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/30/judge-blocks-montana-tiktok-state-ban

https://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2023/12/anti-tiktok-political-stunts-fail-in-montana-and-indiana-courts.htm