Ticketmaster Monopoly Ruling, AI Copyright Policy, and More Entertainment Law Updates – Episode 190
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In this episode, we cover a major antitrust verdict against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, a new White House AI policy framework that leaves creators with more uncertainty than answers, and key developments in trademark, copyright, and First Amendment law.
Read more: Ticketmaster Monopoly Ruling, AI Copyright Policy, and More Entertainment Law Updates – Episode 190Live Nation / Ticketmaster Monopoly Verdict
A New York jury found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized the concert industry and overcharged consumers, with the judge still to determine damages and possible remedies—including a potential breakup.
https://www.courthousenews.com/jury-finds-live-nation-ticketmaster-committed-antitrust-violations/
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/15/politics/live-nation-ticketmaster-monopoly-verdict
https://apnews.com/article/ticketmaster-live-nation-antitrust-verdict-new-york
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-celebrates-historic-verdict-live-nation-ticketmaster
https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2026/04/statement-from-live-nation-entertainment/
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/live-nation-ticketmaster-monopoly-verdict-analysis-ticket-prices-1235970000/
White House Unveils National AI Legislative Framework
The White House released a pro-innovation AI policy framework that avoids taking a clear stance on whether AI companies can train on copyrighted works without permission, leaving those issues to be sorted out in the courts.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/president-donald-j-trump-unveils-national-ai-legislative-framework/
https://musictechpolicy.com/2026/03/20/the-great-white-house-ai-copyright-dodge-managed-decline-global-spillover-and-the-rise-of-the-chief-personhood-denier/
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/white-house-unveils-national-ai-policy-4051089/?origin=CEG&utm_source=CEG&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CustomEmailDigest&utm_term=jds-article&utm_content=article-link
https://kipcurriercopyright.blogspot.com/2026/03/white-house-unveils-ai-policy-aimed-at.html
Defunding NPR and PBS Ruled Unconstitutional
A federal court held that the effort to defund NPR and PBS was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination, reaffirming that the government cannot use funding decisions to punish disfavored speech.
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5768399/npr-pbs-trump-federal-funding
gov.uscourts.dcd.280953.81.0_4.pdf
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/judge-blocks-trumps-executive-order-to-end-federal-funding-for-pbs-and-npr
Taylor Swift “Showgirl” Trademark Dispute
Taylor Swift’s attempt to register LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL has triggered both USPTO refusals and a federal lawsuit, highlighting the risks even major brands face when prior rights are in play.
Pepperdine Loses “Waves” Lawsuit Against Netflix
A court dismissed Pepperdine’s trademark claims over Netflix’s fictional “Waves” team, finding the use protected as part of an expressive work under the Rogers test.
https://tushnet.blogspot.com/2026/04/netflixs-promotion-of-fictional-team.html
Yuga Labs and Ryder Ripps Settle Bored Ape Dispute
The Bored Ape NFT case settled with permanent injunctions against Ripps and Cahen, ending the dispute without a final ruling but reinforcing trademark control over NFT branding.
Yuga Settles Bored Ape NFT Trademark Lawsuit with Artist Ryder Ripps – “The Defiant”
Seventh Circuit: No Sale, No Personal Jurisdiction
The Seventh Circuit ruled that foreign sellers can’t be hauled into U.S. court based solely on website accessibility—actual sales into the forum are required.
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca7/25-2074/25-2074-2026-03-31-0.html
ASTM v. UpCodes: Fair Use Wins Again
The Third Circuit held that posting building codes incorporated into law is likely fair use, emphasizing public access to the law over copyright enforcement.
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca3/24-2965/24-2965-2026-04-07.html
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca3/24-2965/24-2965-2026-04-07.html?utm_source=summary-newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-04-10-copyright-f71bf6d1c9&utm_content=text-case-read-more-1
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/590/18-1150/
Tennessee Moves Toward Coogan-Style Protections for Family Influencers
Tennessee passed legislation to protect minors in monetized influencer content, signaling a broader shift toward treating creator content like traditional entertainment labor.
https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/04/11/tennessee-bill-regulating-family-influencers-passes-legislature/
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB764