That’s a Wrap! 2024 Year-End Special – Entertainment Law Update 175
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SUMMARY
Entertainment Law Update Episode 175: That’s a Wrap! 2024 Year-End Special
In this special year-end episode, Gordon Firemark and Tamara Bennett review the top legal stories and trends of 2024, reflecting on a year dominated by AI developments, copyright disputes, and shifts in entertainment law. Highlights include Jimmy Carter’s passing at 100, Tamara Bennett’s new role at Harper & Bates LLP in 2025, and a nationwide injunction halting the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act. Other key topics include the final loss for the Internet Archive in its book-scanning case, Katy Perry’s trademark victory in Australia, and the passage of the FILM Act easing restrictions for filmmakers in National Parks.
The hosts also explore the copyrightability of “vibes,” with a notable influencer lawsuit, and discuss the upheld TikTok ban on national security grounds. Additionally, they tackle questions of social media account ownership, recent copyright terminations, and the ongoing impact of AI on intellectual property. Wrapping up, they revisit predictions from Episode 163 and tally the most significant stories of the year. Tune in for this comprehensive review and analysis of 2024’s entertainment law landscape!
Jimmy Carter, Former US President and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient, Dies at 100 – A Life Well Lived!
Tamera Bennett Joins Harper & Bates LLP in January 2025.
https://www.tbennettlaw.com/blog/2024-12-16-attorney-tamera-bennett-joins-harper-bates
Corporate Transparency Act /BOI Reporting requirement enjoined by Texas Court in nationwide ban on enforcement
Internet Archive’s book-scanning loss is final
https://illusionofmore.com/internet-archive-as-cautionary-tale/
Katy Perry (Pop Artist) wins in Australian Designer’s Trademark Suit’ – Australian trademark ordered deregistered.
FILM Act passes – film permits no longer required for some filming in National Parks
Copyright in Style/Vibe, etc
Collage Artist Sues Gallery and Another Artist over style, look, feel of works.
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/deborah-roberts-edwards-beavers-copyright-dispute-ruling-2565015
https://casetext.com/case/roberts-v-richard-beavers-gallery
Can you copyright a Vibe? – Influencer sues copycat over instagram posts sharing similar style and color schemes
https://kipcurriercopyright.blogspot.com/2024/12/can-you-copyright-vibe-new-york-times.html
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/505/763
TikTok Ban upheld on National Security Grounds despite 1st Amendment Arguments – Supreme court to Review
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/12/06/tiktok-ban-upheld-in-court
Who Owns Your Social Media Accounts?
Our completely unscientific tally of top stories from 2024
AI has been the overriding theme this year
Warner Chappell v Nealy (Episode 168)
Internet Archive’s loss in Book-scanning case
Copyright Grant Terminations in the news and courts
- Cher prevailed in a lawsuit against Sonny Bono’s widow, Mary Bono, over copyright royalties from their joint song catalog. The dispute arose when Mary Bono, as the beneficiary of Sonny’s estate, exercised her right to terminate the copyright assignments made by Sonny to their publishing company, Wixen Music Publishing, in 2016. This termination effectively ended Cher’s 50% share of the royalties from their songs, including hits like “I Got You Babe” and “The Beat Goes On”.
Roadhouse Screenwriter Lance Hill Sues MGM, Amazon over remake claiming grant terminated
R. Lance Hill v. Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios
- Que Sera Sera, – Livingston v Jay Livingston Music Inc
Jay Livingston’s granddaughter sued her mother for exercising copyright termination rights in “Que Sera Sera” and other popular songs. The court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss in both cases.
- MLC – New Rules from the Copyright Office
The MLC must administer royalties in accordance with the Copyright Act’s termination provisions, ensuring that copyright owners regain control of their rights when termination occurs. This ensures fairness and accuracy in royalty distributions, benefiting both creators and users of musical works.
- Vetter v Resnik
“Breaking with existing precedent and adopting a “novel theory of recovery,” Louisiana district court holds that statutory termination of copyright grant, as well as contingent copyright renewal rights apply worldwide and are not limited to rights in U.S.”
- 2Live Crew
Lil’ Joe Records, Inc. v. Ross, No. 1:21-cv-23727-DPG (S.D. Fla. Oct. 17, 2024)
2-Live-Crew’s bid to reclaim their sound recordings based on a 1990 deal succeeds after the judge granted a motion for summary judgment that copyright grant termination rights are personal rights, surviving bankruptcy and the jury found no work for hire in the creation.