Defendant used the true names of his real estate agents in the early drafts of a television script. The agents sued for defamation and false light invasion of privacy. Defendant moved to strike the complaint under the anti-SLAPP statute but the trial court ruled the claims were not covered by the statute. The Court of Appeal […]
Writer Unable To Show ABC Had Access To His Ideas When It Created “LOST.”
In 1977, plaintiff, a writer, submitted to ABC a script called “L.O.S.T.” about a group of eight survivors connected to the U.S. Olympic team whose plane crash-lands deep in the Himalayas. ” Five of the survivors are Olympic-bound athletes, one is the team physician, one is a television reporter, and one is the pilot. Among the […]
No Copyright Infringement Over A Seven-Second Clip From The Ed Sullivan Show.
At the end of the first act of the musical Jersey Boys, a seven second clip from the old Ed Sullivan show is shown on a screen. The clip was used without permission of the holder of the license who brought an action for copyright infringement. The musical’s production company claimed their use of the clip amounted to […]
Marilyn Monroe’s Estate Estopped From Claiming A Posthumous Right Of Publicity.
Marilyn Monroe’s will was probated in New York which does not recognize a posthumous right of publicity. Both the federal trial and appellate courts concluded that because her executors consistently represented during the probate proceedings that she was domiciled in New York at her death to avoid paying California estate taxes, they are judicially estopped […]
Actress, Lisa Kudrow, “Pheobe” On Friends, Was Sued By Her Personal Manager. The Manager’s Expert’s Declaration In Opposition To Kudrow’s Motion For Summary Judgment Raised Questions Of Fact; Summary Judgment Reversed.
An entertainer (Lisa Kudrow) terminated the services of her personal manager, and the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the entertainer after the manager brought a breach of contract action claiming he should continue to receive a percentage of her income pursuant to custom and usage in the industry. The trial judge excluded […]