News & Commentary
Supreme Court Denies Review of Davis v. Electronic Arts
March 21, 2016 5:29 pm
This morning the Supreme Court denied certiorari in Davis v. Electronic Arts, Inc. This case from the Ninth Circuit rejected a First Amendment defense to right of publicity claims when the videogame Madden NFL depicted professional football players without their permission. I and many other intellectual property and...
Eighth Circuit Tosses NFL Players’ Lawsuit
February 26, 2016 9:59 pm
Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed a district court’s summary judgment against NFL players in Dryer v. NFL. The underlying lawsuit involved objections by players to the use of their names and likenesses in NFL game footage and additional interviews in NFL-produced...
Ninth Circuit Tosses Hurt Locker Case
February 17, 2016 9:48 pm
Today the Ninth Circuit finally decided Sarver v. Chartier. The court affirmed the district court’s holding that the alleged use of Sergeant Jeffrey Sarver’s identity in the Academy-Award winning film The Hurt Locker is protected by the First Amendment. The ultimate holding that the use of a real...
PGA Can Use Caddies as “Human Billboards”
February 12, 2016 2:41 am
Earlier this week, a federal district court dismissed a right of publicity claim by golf caddies against the PGA. The caddies objected to being forced to wear bibs that advertise various tournaments, golfers, and third-party corporations. The complaint was filed in September 2015 as part of a move...
Actors Sues for Use of Performance in DVD
January 21, 2016 12:19 am
Brian McCabe, an actor, has sued Entertainment One and Swirl Films for selling DVDs of Community Service, a television show, that he had agreed to appear in and that he knew would be televised. McCabe claims that although he agreed to the airing of his performance on television,...
Darlene Love Sues Google for Using Her Voice
January 20, 2016 6:35 am
Darlene Love, an “icon of pop music’s golden age,” sued Google today for using her voice in advertising for mobile phones. Love is ranked 84 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Singers of all-time list, and is best known for He’s A Rebel, Alone on Christmas, and Christmas (Baby...
NFL Player Pierre Garcon Drops Right of Publicity Suit Against FanDuel
January 15, 2016 12:31 am
Yesterday, Pierre Garcon dropped his class action against FanDuel for using his and other NFL players' names and likenesses in fantasy football games. It is not clear yet whether some sort of settlement was reached or if so, what monetary payout might have been made. Garcon may also...
Child Star Chachi’s Lawsuit Against her Mother is Dismissed
January 8, 2016 5:21 am
Olivia “Chachi” Gonzales, 19, is best known for her appearance and victory on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” in 2011. Chachi designed her own dance apparel and started selling “Chachimomma” pants similar to ones that she made popular by wearing them on the TV show. While Chachi was...
The Ninth Circuit Resurrects Sarver
January 5, 2016 6:02 am
On Christmas Eve, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals resubmitted Sarver v. Chartier for consideration. I posted earlier about this long-lingering right of publicity lawsuit arising out of the Academy-Award winning film The Hurt Locker. If the Supreme Court grants certiorari in Davis v. Electronic Arts—a case being...
The Eleventh Circuit Allows Use of Rosa Parks’ Name and Image on Merchandise
January 5, 2016 3:51 am
Today, the Eleventh Circuit rejected a lawsuit by the Rosa Parks Institute—which owns the rights to the deceased Park’s name and likeness. The case involved the Target retail chain’s selling of books, and a movie about Rosa Parks, as well as a commemorative plaque that contained her and...