Hollywood Docket: Meet Hollywood's new piracy threat; Suge vs. Kanye; ASCAP vs. bars

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Hollywood Docket: Meet Hollywood's new piracy threat; Suge vs. Kanye; ASCAP vs. bars

Tue Jun 22, 2010 @ 10:17AM PST
  • Just what Hollywood needs: Cheap illegal subscription services, also called "cyberlockers," are the latest piracy threat. [THR]
  • Studios and publishers scored a win yesterday at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in a case involving the distribution of foreign copyrighted works that had fallen into the public domain before US and international legislation restored copyright. The appeals circuit rejected a First Amendment argument by the composer of a marching band song based on a Shostakovitch symphony. Why should you care? The case represents one of the most significant rejections of constitutional challenges to long copyright terms. [Here's the decision.] 
  • Today in Michael Jackson legal news: A former bodyguard to Jackson has dropped his libel action against Britain's Channel 4 television over claims he "betrayed" the singer's family. [Reuters]
  • Hip-hop impresarios Suge Knight and Kanye West are facing off in litigation over Knight getting shot at a party the Shore Club in Miami. He sued the club in Miami federal court and West was questioned because he hosted the party in advance of the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. [AP
  • Google and Twitter argue in an amicus brief that the law shouldn't allow organizations to have a period of exclusivity over "hot news," or readily accessible factual information. The case involves three big investment banks attempting to stop a website from sharing its stock recommendations, but a decision could impact whether news organizations enjoy protection of scoops. [Reuters]
  • ASCAP has filed another round of litigation against bars and clubs around the nation for playing unlicensed music. [NYT] Remember, bar owners: Always comp a stiff drink to the guy holding the recording device. Here's why.

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