Posted inLawsuits

A Striking Resemblance

Hollywood horror

The fear that artificial intelligence (AI) may compromise or replace individual creative expression has sparked an ongoing strike on behalf of the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).  The rise in AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, function to manipulate and reconfigure human writing.  In an industry that relies on the development of unique ideas, fresh content, and effective acting for movies and television, such an AI tool presents a possible or likely threat to future earned projects and potential income. 

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Dispute Comes Full Circle

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five percent of the song’s royalties, however, once he began negotiations to increase that percentage, the offer was rescinded. 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 inLawsuits

Show Drama Unwinds

Streaming wars

The long-running animated show, South Park, has premiered as a staple on the cable television network, Comedy Central, for many years.  Although known for its hilarious parodies, which often poke fun at celebrities, pop culture, and politics, South Park is now at the center of an extensive lawsuit focusing on streaming service rights.  The two services that are battling against one another are HBO Max and Paramount+.  The lawsuit was filed at the end of February in a New York Supreme Court and places into consideration a $500 million contract between the two services.

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Authors Subjected to Dispute

Writers turn the page

Authors are weighing in on the lawsuit between publishers and the Internet Archive, which purchases books for digital lending. While certain authors are standing in support of traditional libraries, they are also acknowledging dissimilarities between Internet Library and brick and mortar book lending. Internet Archive, however, has compared its services to that of a library, equipped with limitations of use. Publishers, such as Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers LLC, John Wiley & Sons Inc. and Penguin Random House, have accused the non-profit organization of committing copyright infringement and capitalizing the authors’ market for their e-books.  

2 minutes
Posted inLawsuits

Golfer Won’t Stand FORE! It

Bogey comments

A well-known commentator for the Golf Channel, Brandel Chamblee, has gone out of bounds with his rhetoric against golf pro, Patrick Reed, and is now facing a $750 million defamation lawsuit. Chamblee’s involvement in the lawsuit, which has also named the Golf Channel as a defendant, is arguably inevitable, as the announcer has allegedly butchered Reed’s professional reputation since the golfer was 23 years old. The critical objective in the complaint is to address instances of Chamblee providing false reporting and exhibiting a purposeful omission of facts with the intent of misleading the public.

2 minutes