We provide tailored, industry-specific legal updates to our clients and other friends of the firm.
Alerts: Intellectual Property Law
Supreme Court Supports Copyright Protection for Fashion and Industrial Designs
On March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled in Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands that copyright law can protect designs on cheerleading uniforms. Read more.
March 23, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
A Dozen Takeaways From the UCLA Entertainment Symposium
The Hollywood Reporter quoted Victoria Cook on the growing risk of lawsuits by public figures against filmmakers. View Article
March 22, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Hasbro Scent Application for Play-Doh
Fox News, Teen Vogue, The World IP Review, The Independent, Refinery29, Fatherly, and Beauty Packaging quoted Catherine Farrelly on Hasbro’s recent trademark “scent” application for Play-Doh.
March 17, 2017
Alerts: Advertising Law
The Truth Will Set You Free: The FTC Provides New Guidance on Consumer Reviews
Late last year, Congress passed the Consumer Review Protection Act, a law designed to stop businesses from using contracts to prevent customers from posting honest reviews about the business. Read more.
March 8, 2017
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In the Press: Quoted
Amanda Seales Upped To Regular On HBO’s Insecure
Deadline Hollywood mentioned Lisa E. Davis as attorney for Amanda Seales in her HBO and TruTV deals. View Article
March 7, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Play-Doh Moves to Make Sure You Can’t Copy Their Signature Smell
Mashable mentioned Frankfurt Kurnit as the lawyers behind Hasbro’s Play-Doh scent trademark registration. View Article
March 7, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
‘Unprofessional’ Attorney Avoids Sanctions In MLB TV Settlement
Law360 mentions Brian Maas and Tyler Maulsby as the lawyers for Christopher Bandas, who successfully avoided Rule 11 sanctions in Garber v. Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. View Article
March 7, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Artificial Intelligence Raises Ethical Concerns For Attorneys
Law360 quoted Ron Minkoff on how technological developments such as artificial intelligence are changing the practice of law. View Article
March 6, 2017
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In the Press: Quoted
Hasbro Filed to Protect Play-Doh Smell
Inside Counsel magazine quoted Catherine Farrelly on Hasbro’s trademark “scent” registration for Play-Doh.
March 2, 2017
In the Press: Praise
Baby Goldblatt in The Hollywood Reporter
The birth announcement of Julien Harris Goldblatt, Hayden Goldblatt's son, is featured in the Hollywood Reporter. View Article
February 27, 2017
In the Press: Praise
Oscars 2017
Congratulations to all of our clients who played a part in 2017 Oscar winning projects. Read more.
February 27, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
What’s That Smell? Play-Doh Leads Charge For Scent TMs
Law360 quoted Catherine Farrelly on Hasbro’s efforts to acquire a trademark for the scent of Play-Doh. The New York Times picked up Law360' s coverage of the Play-Doh mark in its 13 Great Stories That Have Nothing to Do With Politics column here. View Article
February 24, 2017
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In the Press: Quoted
Fox Apologizes for Use of Fake News Sites in ‘A Cure for Wellness’ Ad Campaign
The Los Angeles Times quoted Rick Kurnit on right of publicity issues arising from a 20th Century Fox movie advertising campaign. View Article
February 21, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Stephen Curry Spoke. Under Armour Listened. Now What?
The Associated Press, ESPN, CBS News, and Sports Illustrated quoted Christopher Chase on contract issues arising from friction between an NBA star and his sponsor.
February 17, 2017
Alerts: Privacy & Data Security Law: Technology Law
No Harm, No Foul: Court Dismisses Biometric Data Privacy Class Action Against NBA 2K Games
Biometric data — from, e.g., retina, face and fingerprint scans — plays a big role in the current wave of new technology services. For example, biometrics provide security features for financial and healthcare products. But companies using or thinking of using biometric data have to comply with myriad privacy and data security laws and regulations, or face potential enforcement action and litigation. Read more.
February 16, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Paul McCartney Sues Sony/ATV for Publishing Rights to Beatles’ Catalog
Inside Counsel quotes Edward H. Rosenthal on Paul McCartney’s attempt to use copyright termination laws to reclaim rights to certain Beatles’ songs.
February 13, 2017
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Alerts: Technology Law
ZeniMax v. Oculus: Lessons from a $500 Million VR Case Verdict
The Oculus Rift has been one of the most anticipated technology developments in modern video game history. Now — as a result of avoidable mistakes — it is also a teaching case for lawyers advising clients in the interactive entertainment space. Here's a rundown of the case and the traps the developers fell into. Read more.
February 9, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Shondaland To Develop Luvvie Ajayi’s Book “I’m Judging You” As Cable Series
Deadline features the news that Luvvie Ajayi’s debut book, I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual, will be developed as a cable comedy series by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers’ Shondaland, along with ABC Signature Studios.
February 7, 2017
In the Press
State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump, No. 17-35105 (9th Cir.)
We filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of our client, the Anti-Defamation League, in support of Washington and Minnesota’s challenge to President Trump’s Executive Order titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” You can read our brief here.
February 7, 2017
Alerts: Intellectual Property Law
Does IP Law Protect Cake and Pastry Designs?
A chef who created a cake for President Obama's inauguration in 2013 recently tweeted a photograph showing two cakes. According to the chef, one was created for the Obama inauguration and the other was for an inaugural ball for President Trump. The Trump cake baker apparently admitted copying the Obama cake design (and stated the proceeds would be donated to a charity). So among the many legal questions raised by the new Trump administration, there lies an interesting IP question: can a baker, chef or restaurateur use intellectual property law to protect a cake or pastry design? Read more.
February 3, 2017
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In the Press: Quoted
Forfeiture and Restitution: Ships Passing in the Night?
The New York Law Journal published Brian Maas and Caren Decter’s essay about the disconnect between the government’s forfeiture powers and a victim’s right to restitution. (Article behind paywall) View Article
January 31, 2017
Alerts: Commercial Litigation
NY Court Expands Protections for Employers to Safeguard Proprietary Information
Yesterday a New York State appeals court reinstated the conviction of a former Goldman Sachs computer programmer under New York's unlawful use of secret scientific material statute. In doing so, the court gave a twenty-first century voice to a statute that was written in the age of blueprints and photocopiers. Read more.
January 27, 2017
In the Press: Quoted
Ethics Group Backs High Court Look At Nonresident Atty Law
Law360 mentioned Ron Minkoff as counsel to the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers in its Amicus Curiae brief to the US Supreme Court seeking constitutional review of a New York statute governing nonresident attorney practice. View Article
January 24, 2017
Published Articles
Protecting Your Legacy: Every Athlete Needs A Game Plan For Estate Planning & Philanthropic Ventures
Athletes Quarterly recently published Adam Osterweil's article, “Protecting Your Legacy: Every Athlete Needs A Game Plan For Estate Planning And Philanthropic Ventures” which discusses unique considerations to be aware of as one starts the process of estate planning and deciding which philanthropic ventures to invest your time in. View Article
January 23, 2017
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In the Press: Praise
Frankfurt Kurnit in WTR 1000 2017
The World Trademark Review includes Frankfurt Kurnit in "The World's Leading Trademark Professionals 2017" saying, "'It’s easy to recommend the trademark team at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz to any company seeking the absolute best in advice and counselling." View Article
January 20, 2017