Law Arts Blog

SAG and WGA Strikes

Much More Than Just a Fight Over AI.

Keegan Dyer | September 5, 2023

For the first time since 1960, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have gone on strike as a result of unsuccessful negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). While production studios' interest in AI has emerged as one of the main talking points due the AMPTP’s allegedly poor reaction to the WGA’s AI proposals

Is AI The Future of Entertainment?

The Benefits and Pitfalls of AI in the Art and Entertainment Industries

Amanda Alasauskas | May 26, 2023

Technology: it’s a blessing and a curse. Artificial intelligence has long been an “if and when” subject. Within the last year, ChatGPT and other AI tools have become increasingly popular in many industries, especially the art and entertainment industries. While AI has no doubt provided vast opportunities and benefits to these industries, it also is presently a legal gray area with issues like infringement becoming prominent.

What is a Band Agreement and Why You Needed One Yesterday

Amanda Alasauskas | May 4, 2023

Whether you and your friends have just started a band or you have been playing together for over 10 years, your band is a business. Sure, your focus is on creating music and hopefully making money from that music, but it is also important to recognize that that can have legal implications.

I Think I’m A Victim of Defamation Based on an Online Post…Now What?

Thomas Kliebhan | March 29, 2023

Despite what an old children’s rhyme about sticks and stones may say, words can hurt both your mental state and your wallet. Defamatory statements can affect your reputation, business dealings, and your status in your community.

“You Wouldn’t Get This From Any Other Guy”

Could “Betty (Get Money)” be the most expensive “Rick-Roll” of all time?

Mark J. McLoughlin | March 1, 2023

On January 26, 2023, Rick Astley filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against rising-star rapper Yung Gravy; producers Popnick, Dillon Francis, and dwilly; as well as Republic Records. Astley alleges that, although defendants had permission from the songwriters to make the track, Yung Gravy vio

Understanding Performing Rights Organizations and Which One is Right for You

John Moustis | February 6, 2023

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Roll For Initiative In The Battle Of Dungeons & Dragons’ Open Gaming License

Amanda Alasauskas | January 12, 2023

Update: On January 27, 2023, in light of the results from its playtest survey, WotC announced that it would be leaving OGL 1.0a in place and unrevised, and that the entire SRD 5.1 would be available under a Creative Commons license.

Ana de No Mas: Studios May Face Legal Backlash for Leaving Fan Favorites on the Cutting Room Floor

Alyssa Newswanger | January 11, 2023

In late December 2022, District Court Judge Stephen Wilson of the Central District of California, issued a limited order denying Universal Studio’s motion to dismiss in a lawsuit brought by two fans of actress Ana de Armas.

End of an Era: The “Golden Age” of Streaming is at the Heart of Recent Hollywood Union Conflicts.

These disputes illustrate that streaming has changed Hollywood drastically and that entertainment lawyers must be more creative when drafting client contracts while staying conscious of union developments across the industry.

Keegan Dyer | October 25, 2022

Though it may seem like streaming services have already fully entrenched themselves as the present and future of television, behind the scenes, the transition away from broadcast business models is still very much in progress and creating strife within a few of the major entertainment unions. Two major Hollywood union disputes in recent years have shown the complicated task facing entertainment lawyers moving forward.

When It Happens to You: Responding to Reports of Harassment and Discrimination

Why and How Small Arts Organizations Should Develop an Internal Complaint Procedure for Responding to Reports of Harassment and Discrimination

Aaron Kacel | July 11, 2022

Zelina Gaytan was a museum attendant at the San Diego Museum of Art. On July 9, 2021, she filed a lawsuit against her former employer alleging pervasive sexual and racial misconduct. Among other allegations, she claims teenage staff members were repeatedly asked out on dates and followed to their cars by older staff, volunteer docents referred to darker Latinos as “savages” and likened Frida Kahlo to a “Muppet”, and that Black and Latino employees weren’t promoted to leadership roles.