Posted inSettlements

Dispute Comes Full Circle

Close-up of an open sheet music book with handwritten notes in the margins. The music is printed in black and white, with visible staves and musical notations, suggesting a classical or orchestral piece.
The right in copyright

Moments before trial was recently scheduled to take place, the parties associated in a songwriting copyright lawsuit reached a settlement.  Austin Post, who is more recognized by his stage name, Post Malone, was sued in 2020 following a disagreement with Tyler Armes.  Due to his apparent guitar chord contribution to the song “Circles,” Armes claimed that he should have been paid specific royalties.  According to his argument, Armes contends that he was presented with the contract to receive five percent of the song’s royalties, however, once he began negotiations to increase that percentage, the offer was rescinded. 

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Pumped for a Settlement

A person holding a fanned-out stack of U.S. hundred-dollar bills in both hands, sitting cross-legged on the floor. The focus is on the money and the person's jeans-clad legs.
Costly accusations

The accusations against film producer, Randall Emmett, are not only damaging but are also potentially costly.  With the recent season 10 premiere of reality show, Vanderpump Rules, the gravity of numerous allegations presented against Emmett has resurfaced.  In this first episode, Lala Kent, the former fiancé of the defendant, who also serves as one of the show’s frontrunners, recounts an LA Times article from mid-2022 that chronicles a list of lawsuits against her ex.  The various claims include trading sexual favors for acting roles, engaging in illegal drug sales, and attempting to cover up his actions through non-disclosure agreements and settlements.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Stars Face Reality

A close-up of an old prison cell door with a keyhole in focus. In the background, there is a small table with a metal dish and cup, slightly blurred, against a pale green wall. Bars and shadows create a stark, somber atmosphere.
Cell for celebrities

Todd and Julie Chrisley have joined the roster of reality stars that have faced fraud-related legal troubles.  Following a November court date, the married couple was ordered to serve a combined sentence of almost 20 years in prison.  Their shared list of charges includes conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States.  While Julie will serve a seven-year sentence in Kentucky, Todd has been sentenced to twelve years in a Pensacola, FL facility.  In one of his recent podcasts, Todd admitted that their legal counsel has already filed the necessary paperwork to appeal the conviction. 

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Dressing Up a New Code

Three hands holding different beverages: two cups of latte with leaf patterns in the foam, and a glass of iced coffee. They are clinking their drinks together over a wooden table. Black saucers are visible in the background.
Coffee code

Nashville hot chicken, New Orleans beignets, Chicago deep-dish pizza, and Seattle coffee are some of the most well known regionally accredited delicacies in the United States. The method of delivery or presentation is often synonymous with its consumable counterpart. About a half hour from Seattle, a town called Everett, Washington is known for its drive-up coffee shacks, as well as a recent court ruling that admonishes a dress code impacting these establishments. In response to the 2017 passing of the code, employees, referred to as bikini baristas, filed a lawsuit, citing constitutional violations and an attack on women’s rights.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Can’t Makeup This Violation

A tube of pink lipstick with a metallic and dark brown casing sits open on a white background. The detached cap lies nearby, showcasing the lipstick brand's name engraved on it.
Glossing over guidelines

California is home to one of the most rigid consumer privacy laws in the country. Originally passed in 2018 and later intensified in 2020, the law affords consumers the right to know the extent of information collected by companies online, the ability to have that private data deleted, and the capability to refuse the sale of their information to third party entities. The strength of this law led to the $1.2 million settlement of a civil suit, which pinned the cosmetics company, Sephora Inc., of violating consumer rights. The company failed to comply with the law and allegedly sold customer information without consent.

2 minutes