Press

The estate of Andy Warhol and Prince’s photographer square off in the Supreme Court

Daily Journal, November 4, 2022

On Wed., Oct. 12, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument for the case Andy Warhol Found. v. Goldsmith. The case involves a photograph taken by Lynn Goldsmith of the late artist Prince and whether visual artist Andy Warhol unfairly utilized this photo in the creation of his own works.


Disney Settles Lawsuit Alleging They Stole ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

IN ENTERTAINMENT | September 2, 2022

Pirates of the Caribbean has become one of the most popular Disney franchises of all time.


Disney Settles ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Copyright Suit With Writers Who Claimed Film Franchise Was Their Idea

The Wrap | September 2, 2022

Disney on Wednesday settled a copyright lawsuit from 2017 that alleged that the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies infringed upon the plaintiffs’ copyrighted original spec script.


Is ‘Stranger Things’ a rip-off? Aspiring screenwriter sues Netflix, Duffer brothers for script similarities.

Cara Kelly | USA TODAY (Published 2:03 AM PDT May. 25, 2022 | Updated 7:26 AM PDT May. 25, 2022)

It was Will Byers’ backyard in “Stranger Things” that made Jeff Kennedy suspicious. He watched the first episode of Netflix’s streaming hit at a friend’s house after it premiered in 2016, studying the opening scenes in fictional Hawkins, Indiana.


 

Appeals Court Revives Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Servant’

The Hollywood Reporter (FEBRUARY 23, 2022)

The court found additional evidence is necessary to determine whether M. Night Shyamalan’s AppleTV+ series infringed on Francesca Gregorini’s 2013 movie ‘The Truth About Emanuel.’ It’s the latest in a series of recent appellate decisions in favor of plaintiffs claiming copyright infringement.


 

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES

Disney Can’t Sink ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Suit Over Jack Sparrow Character

The Hollywood Reporter (DECEMBER 22, 2021)

A California federal judge found there’s a “genuine issue of material fact” as to whether similarities between a 2000 spec script and the original 2003 film are merely pirate tropes.


Peter Rabbit

‘Peter Rabbit’ Legal Fight Heats Up as Sequel Set for U.S. Summer Release

TMZ (APRIL 15, 2021)

During the course of the legal fight between Jason Lust and Australian VFX house-turned-production company Animal Logic over Peter Rabbit, a sequel was greenlit — and that’s added a new layer to the dispute just as Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is hopping toward a summer release in the U.S.


Alleged Poker Cheater Mike Postle Sues Poker Community For Libel And Defamation

TMZ (October 03, 2020)

The case against alleged poker cheat Mike Postle was dismissed in early June with the majority of plaintiffs agreeing to a settlement with the Stones Gambling Hall and its tournament director Justin Kuraitis, who was in charge of the livestream.

Postle filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County. He is being represented by the high-profile Beverly Hills-based law firm Lowe & Associates, which specializes in entertainment and business law.


The Weeknd and Daft Punk Sued for Stealing “Starboy”

TMZ (August 18, 2018)

If Weeknd’s huge hit, “Starboy,” had a familiar sound, it’s not because Daft Punk produced it…it’s because the song is a rip-off…or so another artist claims in a lawsuit.


The Weeknd, Daft Punk sued by songwriter for reportedly stealing song ‘Starboy’

Fox News (September 19, 2018)

Singer the Weeknd and his producers Daft Punk are being sued over his hit song “Starboy” by a fellow songwriter who claims they ripped her off.


The Weeknd and Daft Punk Accused of Stealing “Starboy” From Singer in New Lawsuit

XXL Magazine (September 18, 2018)

The Weeknd and Daft Punk had a monster hit on their hands when they teamed up to release “Starboy” in 2016. But now, a singer and songwriter by the name of Yasminah claims the two stole the song from her.


‘The Purge’ Creator Faces Allegations of Evidence Tampering in Lawsuit Over Horror Film

The Hollywood Reporter (August 22, 2018)

Universal wishes to establish writer-director James DeMonaco came up with the movie independently, but another screenwriter who submitted a similar idea is pointing to suspicious emails turned over in the case.


The Purge Creator Under Fire for Alleged Plagiarism

Vanity Fair (August 22, 2018)

Universal seeks to prove that writer-director James DeMonaco came up with the idea for the franchise himself, legal representatives for the plaintiff have pointed to discrepancies in DeMonaco’s e-mails.


Appeals Court won’t Kill Lawsuit Claiming Universal Stole “The Purge”

The Hollywood Reporter (June 20, 2017)

“Jordan-Benel having previously prevailed in district court, has won again before the 9th Circuit, where he was able to convince a panel of judges that his breach of contract claim does not arise from an act in furtherance of the right of free speech. This marks a very rare appellate loss by a major studio on an idea theft claim.”


Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre “Ain’t No Fun” Copyright Lawsuit Dismissed

Pitchfork (May 22, 2017)

The court determined that the Plaintiffs’ lawsuit was filed far too late, as the song was released in 1993 and the Plaintiffs had three years therefrom (1996) to bring their complaint.


Settlement in Ashton Kutcher DMV Reality TV Show

The Hollywood Reporter (January 17, 2017)

A judge was set to rule on summary adjudication in early February, with a trial targeted later this year, but on Jan. 10, the plaintiff filed a notice of settlement. The terms haven’t been released. Steven Lowe was the attorney for Muskat, while Harrison Dossick represented Katalyst.


Rapper P-Dice says he helped write the multi-platinum song [“679”]

TMZ.com (October 28, 2016)

Rapper P-Dice says he helped write the multi-platinum song [“679”], and Fetty cut a deal to give him 16.9% of the profits off the track, but in a lawsuit PD says he was scrubbed from the song to avoid the payout.


Gospel Musician Whacked with RICO Lawsuit

Courthouse News (July 03, 2015)

The McCauleys seek $500,000 in damages under the RICO statute and $126,500 in damages for each of the other seven causes of action, which include breach of contract, fraud, promissory fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unfair business practices.


Universal Loses Bid to Toss Lawsuit Claiming ‘The Purge’ Was Stolen From Writer

The Hollywood Reporter (June 25, 2015)

A judge finds the allegation that Douglas Jordan-Benel’s ‘Settler’s Day’ was infringed to be plausibly supported at this stage. Jordan-Benel, represented by attorney Steven Lowe, can still seek gains, profits and advantages derived from Universal, UTA and DeMonaci for possibly using Settler’s Day.


‘Orphan Black’ Production Company Must Face Copyright Lawsuit in California

The Hollywood Reporter (June 9, 2015)

In ruling in Hendricks’ favor at this procedural stage, U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew points to evidence that Temple Street incorporated a subsidiary under California law, calls its U.S. division its “LA office,” and that the company’s website lists contact information in both California and Canada. He concludes there’s a prima facie showing of general jurisdiction over Temple Street.


Carmen Trutanich Lawsuit Settled

LA Weekly (April 17, 2013)

L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has settled his bitter legal battle with John Shallman, the campaign consultant who ran his failed bid for district attorney


New Motions In Trutanich Lawsuit

Los Cerritos Community Newspaper (January 24, 2013)

New motions to add additional parties and allegations to the lawsuit filed against Greuel Campaign Director John Shallman was filed on Tuesday by the campaign attorneys of Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich alleging that Shallman and several of his associates engaged in promissory fraud, unfair business practices negligence and swindling when Trutanich was a candidate for District Attorney back in June of 2012


Jon Van Dyke’s Lionsgate Lawsuit

The Hollywood Reporter (April 5, 2013)

Jon Van Dyke, a writer, has filed a lawsuit against Lionsgate over the forthcoming film, Not Today. According to his complaint, he wrote the script and spent 10 weeks in India as the director and entered into an agreement with a company called Friends Media


Victory in Carmen Harra Case

Los Angeles Daily Journal (March 29, 2013)

[Lowe & Associates] filed a motion to dismiss Fontana’s copyright claim on the basis that an affirmative defense to it – the grant of an implied license to use the screenplay – existed on the face of the complaint


Rob Schneider’s Chosen Lawsuit

E Online (March 5, 2008)

The state of Rob Schneider’s latest comedy is no laughing matter. Per usual. But this time around, the lack of yuks doesn’t have to do with bawdy humor. Instead, the Saturday Night Live alum and his producing partner and older brother, John, are being accused of cheaping out on longtime collaborator Bob Rubin, who filed suit against the brothers Schneider in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday


Jackson Sisters Sue Universal Music Group

Santa Monica Daily Press (December 30, 2007)

Members of the 1970s female soul and disco group The Jackson Sisters have filed a $1 million suit against Santa Monica-based Universal Music Group for alleged nonpayment of record royalties, an attorney for the singers said Thursday