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June 6th, 2022
Drag Queens Traverse Trademark Law: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Safe’
Advertising and Intellectual Property Partner Brian G. Murphy is quoted in the article, “Drag Queens Traverse Trademark Law: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Safe’” published by Bloomberg Law. The article discusses that while drag has gone mainstream, intellectual property laws have not kept up with the shifting landscape leaving some performers in copyright disputes over performances and stage names. For example, with their growing popularity drag queens must take music copyrights into consideration. Brian is quoted saying, “Anytime you play a song—and to anyone other than, like, your friends in your own living room—that requires a license.” He explains, “When performing in a club, most drag queens are covered by the establishment’s music licenses. If they incorporate the music into an act in a different setting, however, they might need additional rights.”
Lastly, Brian says there are many rights holders to specific songs which make obtaining music licenses more complex. “When it comes to music, you know, there’s multiple rights holders,” and “There’s the songwriters, and these days just about any song is written by not one person but multiple people. And each of those is a different rights holder.”
Read the full article here.
Other Quoted
‘Trump Too Small’ Opinion Leaves Some Justices, Attys Vexed
Law360 quotes Kimberly M. Maynard on the recent 'Trump Too Small' apparel trademark that the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously concluded was not a free speech violation. View Article
June 14 2024
Addiction-Treatment Startups Are Raking in VC Money—and Amassing Millions in Fines
Inc. Magazine quotes Daniel M. Goldberg on the recent explosion of venture funding in addiction treatment startups and the various legal and privacy concerns that come with building technology that has outpaced the scope of current regulations. (Behind paywall) View Article
June 11 2024
Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy pilot welcomes 4 new cast members
Variety mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to actor, writer, and producer Jordan Firstman, who will join Odessa A'zion, Miles Robbins, and True Whitaker in Rachel Sennott's upcoming HBO comedy pilot. View Article
June 10 2024