Posted inLawsuits

A Modern Renovation

House fix gone wrong

In response to a lawsuit filed in December 2023, actor Sofia Vergara has issued a counterclaim.  The legal dispute focuses on the renovations to Vergara’s Los Angeles home, which she purchased in 2020, while still married to her now ex-husband Joe Manganiello.  According to the initial claim, Vergara’s contractor, Reside Custom Homes (RCH), accuses the Modern Family alum of promissory fraud, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations.  Among the allegations, RCH claims that Vergara failed to pay two bills, one for $896,196.15 and the other for $657,245.23, associated with work already completed on the home.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

New Villain in Town

Screening litigation

According to a contractual agreement between Disney and Scarlett Johansson, box office ticket sales would largely determine the actress’s salary for her Black Widow performance. Following Disney’s decision to debut the film on the company’s streaming service, Disney+, on the same day as the theatrical release, Johansson filed a lawsuit for breach of contract on July 29. In her argument, Johansson claims a prior agreement to exclusively release the movie to theaters was not honored. She is alleging loss of compensation and financial opportunity.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Estate of Artist Pops Back into Court

Will a museum ever be built?

The reproduction rights for the artwork of deceased artist, Robert Indiana, will be determined in a court of law. Michael McKenzie filed the lawsuit in Portland, Maine this month and claims that he is fully entitled to the reproduction rights.  McKenzie worked with Indiana for many years as an art publisher and collaborator.  Indiana was known for creating pop-style art.  Despite the deal made while Indiana was alive, the executor of the late artist’s estate contends that McKenzie’s rights to reproduce ceased as soon as Indiana died.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Business v. Class Action

An article in the New York Times caught my attention today.  It's about the fallout from the 2011 Supreme Court decision in AT&T v. Concepcion, which stated that corporations can...
4 minutes