Taylor Swift once again made headlines this week related to music royalties. Earlier this week, Taylor penned a letter to Apple explaining why offering their new music service free for 3 months hurts musicians. She encouraged Apple to rethink this policy. Surprisingly, they did. Shortly after Swift’s blog post, read HERE, Apple responded saying that … Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment Law …
All Good Things: Graduating with the National Association of Broadcasters
All endings are bitter sweet, but this one was especially more sweet than bitter because my classmates selected me to give the remarks on behalf of our class during our graduation ceremony. What an honor! Continue reading
Are Fictional Cartoon Characters Protected by Copyright?
We all learned in elementary school stealing is wrong. If it is not yours, then you cannot use it without asking permission. You cannot take someone’s crayons. You cannot go home with someone else’s baby doll. You cannot ride and take someone else’s bicycle. A simple concept even kindergartners can grasp. However, for some reason, … Continue reading
Finding Balance with Yoga, Trademark and Copyright Law
It is obvious intellectual property issues weave their way into creative businesses, such as music, writing and film. What I think is most interesting is how intellectual property issues are finding their way into nonobvious businesses. Outside of simply trademarking the name of the business, because of social media, all businesses are now creators of … Continue reading
Why Reviving Colonel Sanders Was Legally Necessary
The news outlets, marketing trade magazines and Twitter came alive this week when Colonel Sanders galloped back onto the scene to once again promote his Kentucky Fried Chicken. Numerous articles talked about his return, the advertising reasons behind bringing him, and the hope to de-throne Chick-fil-A. The campaign even evoked a little star power by … Continue reading
Should Radio Broadcasters Pay a Performance Tax?
I have been on a “vision quest” the past three months. A quest for knowledge. A quest for lessening the tension created in my mind over three things I love dearly – the Copyright Act, broadcasting and music. This past GRAMMY® awards in 2015 saw The Recording Academy ban together with other interested parties to … Continue reading
Copyright Basics in a Video Short
YouTube is really great. It has the ability to succinctly educate on all kinds of topics using the medium of film, which you know I love. Because some of us do not learn by words, I am constantly on the hunt for great video content. This past week, I ran across the Crash Course series on … Continue reading
Do Meerkat and Periscope Apps Commit Copyright Infringement?
Did live streaming app providers like Periscope and Meerkat infringe on copyright law when each streamed this past week’s Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao live boxing event? Does the answer change if the event is not live, but say perhaps an originally scripted television show? These were the questions I received this week as everyone … Continue reading
What is the Difference between ® and TM used on a logo?
It is usually a good indication to me that a topic should be covered when I receive the same question several times in a row and within a short period of time. The question most recently focuses on trademark law. How do you let the world know you have a valid trademark? Why do some … Continue reading
What is BMI, ASCAP or SESAC? Why Should My Bar/Gym/Event Care?
“I received this letter from some group called BMI saying I owe money for the music I play in my restaurant/gym/community 5k raising money for a good cause/concert venue. Is this a real thing and should I respond?” Yes, emphatically and soon! Over the past several weeks I have had several conversations regarding performance rights … Continue reading
A Love Letter to the National Association of Broadcasters
Have you ever had those moments in life where everything seems to align? I am talking about those moments when you can feel a definite shift in the universe. This feeling is as real as if you are standing on one of those moving sidewalks in the airport. Whether you call it God, fate, karma, … Continue reading
You Can Tell Everyone This is Your Work Made for Hire
I can barely contain myself. I am going to see Sir Elton John in Las Vegas! For those that do not know, I am a huge Elton fan. I am such a big fan this might be my 14th Elton concert. No judgment. Growing up, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. While Chopin, Mozart … Continue reading
