Dr. Phil McGraw and his production company are countersuing Trinity Broadcasting Network for $500 million, alleging fraudulent schemes and wrongful conduct related to a failed media deal, amid ongoing financial and legal troubles.
Fiona Harvey is suing Netflix for defamation and emotional distress, claiming the character Martha in "Baby Reindeer" is based on her and has led to harassment and reputational damage. The lawsuit seeks over $170 million in damages, alleging Netflix failed to verify facts and disguised her identity poorly, resulting in significant personal and professional harm.
Fiona Harvey has filed a $170 million defamation and negligence lawsuit against Netflix, claiming the series "Baby Reindeer" falsely portrayed her as a convicted stalker and sexual assailant, which has severely damaged her reputation and life. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as profits from the series. Netflix has not yet commented on the legal action.
Fiona Harvey, claiming to be the real-life inspiration for the character Martha in Netflix's "Baby Reindeer," is suing the streaming giant for $170 million, alleging defamation, emotional distress, and negligence. Harvey asserts that the show falsely portrays her as a convicted stalker and has severely damaged her reputation.
A federal judge has allowed a major copyright lawsuit to proceed against over 1,000 reggaeton songs, including works by Bad Bunny and J Balvin, for allegedly infringing on the drum pattern of the 1989 song "Fish Market" by Jamaican producers Cleveland Browne and Wycliffe Johnson. The case will now enter the discovery phase.
Johnny Depp's lawyer, Ben Chew, criticized Sean "Diddy" Combs' recent apology video for a 2016 assault on his ex, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, suggesting it will negatively impact Diddy's ongoing lawsuits. The video, which went viral, has been widely condemned as insincere, and legal experts believe it undermines Diddy's defense. Despite the apology, the Los Angeles County DA's office stated they cannot prosecute due to the statute of limitations.
The former legal chief of the Pokémon Company expressed gratitude to the media for bringing attention to fan projects, which often led to potential takedowns. He explained the process of prioritizing such projects and emphasized the reluctance to take legal action against fans. His role also involved various responsibilities beyond legal matters, and he shared insights into the company's approach to handling intellectual property issues.
As iconic characters like Mickey Mouse's "Steamboat Willie" iteration enter the public domain, companies like Disney face new challenges and opportunities. While the public can now legally use these characters, Disney's trademarks still protect many aspects of their intellectual property. The success of films like "Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey" demonstrates the potential for monetizing public domain characters, but experts warn that using elements too close to trademarked versions could lead to legal trouble. Disney and other companies are expected to rely on trademark law to protect their interests while also focusing on creating new intellectual property to sustain growth.
Eminem has filed for a protective order to avoid a personal deposition in a trademark dispute with 'Real Housewives of Potomac' stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon over their Reasonably Shady podcast. Eminem's legal team argues that his appearance would be unduly burdensome and suggests alternatives like his manager Paul Rosenberg for the deposition. Bryant and Dixon's attorney, Andrea H. Evans, criticizes the move, stating that Eminem should not be exempt from deposition obligations. The outcome of the protective order could set a precedent for future trademark opposition cases.
The Hollywood Reporter highlights the top 25 entertainment attorneys in New York City who handle a range of legal matters in the theater, music, media, and sports industries. These attorneys are involved in high-profile deals, copyright battles, and helping clients pursue their Broadway dreams. Some notable attorneys mentioned include Lisa Alter, who specializes in music catalog deals, Robert Auritt, who focuses on the intersection of arts and tech, and Andy Bart, who recently helped major music labels win a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against a broadband company for copyright infringement.
The Hollywood Reporter has compiled a list of 25 top-notch lawyers, known as "The Troubleshooters," who are called upon by Hollywood's elite for handling crises, such as divorces, criminal charges, and estate planning. These lawyers, including Harlee Gasmer, Anne Kiley, Dana Lowy, Erica Lubans, and Kristina Royce, specialize in navigating the law and media while maintaining privacy for their high-profile clients. In the criminal law sector, lawyers like Blair Berk, Priya Chaudhry, Drew Findling, Mitchell Schuster, and Brian Steel have successfully defended celebrities in high-profile cases.
Jake Bloom, the co-founder of Bloom, Hergott LLP, one of the most successful entertainment law firms in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 81. Known for representing high-profile clients such as Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bloom retired from his practice in 2019. He was also a committed philanthropist, supporting various foundations and organizations throughout his lifetime.
The Hollywood Reporter has released its annual list of the top 100 attorneys in Hollywood, who are responsible for keeping the industry running amidst various stressors. The list includes attorneys from firms such as Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein, Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, and Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver & Thompson. These attorneys have negotiated deals for their clients in the streaming era, managed emerging AI issues, and navigated potential guild strikes.