Celebrities

Led Zeppelin wins ‘Stairway’ copyright case; losing lawyer sees ‘obviously appealable issues’

Federal jurors on Thursday found for Led Zeppelin in a copyright suit claiming the band had copied the beginning guitar riff of “Stairway to Heaven.” Jurors found for Led Zeppelin after a weeklong trial, the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), Courthouse News Service…

Jun 24, 2016 8:00 AM CDT

Lawyer who won $5.3M ‘Blurred Lines’ verdict files $20M suit over Ed Sheeran’s ‘Photograph’

A lawyer who represented singer Marvin Gaye’s family in last year’s monster $5.3 million “Blurred Lines” copyright verdict is back in court in another high-profile case over a hit song. This time attorney Richard Busch is seeking $20 million for two veteran California songwriters, contending that Ed Sheeran’s smash song…

Jun 8, 2016 4:46 PM CDT

9th Circuit strikes copyright suit against Madonna over horn sample in ‘Vogue’

Madonna was sued for plagiarism over her 1990 hit “Vogue.” However, a federal appellate court has sided with the Material Girl after finding that the lawsuit had nothing to it. Reuters, the Los Angeles Times and the Hollywood Reporter’s THR, Esq. blog reported Thursday that a divided three-judge panel for…

Jun 3, 2016 5:15 PM CDT

Judge says sexual assault case against Bill Cosby can proceed toward trial

A suburban Philadelphia judge on Tuesday gave a green light for a criminal sexual assault case against Bill Cosby to proceed toward trial. Charged with three counts of felony indecent assault, the 78-year-old entertainer could get as much as 10 years if he is convicted in the case. Cosby waived…

May 24, 2016 4:10 PM CDT

Vincent Gallo sues Facebook over claimed refusal to deactivate imposter’s account

Actor and director Vincent Gallo filed a federal lawsuit against Facebook in Los Angeles on Monday, contending that the social media Goliath has refused his demands to take down a bogus account in his name. Asserting Lanham Act and unfair competition claims, among others, the actor and director—who himself has…

May 18, 2016 3:45 PM CDT

Settlement in suit over Joan Rivers’ death; daughter to seek law regulating outpatient clinic safety

A “substantial” settlement in an undisclosed amount has been reached in a lawsuit over the death of Joan Rivers, who died as a result of a medical procedure at an outpatient surgery center in New York City in 2014 However, Melissa Rivers, the 81-year-old comedian’s daughter, and her lawyers say…

May 13, 2016 1:45 PM CDT

Those in charge of Prince estate face ‘horribly speculative’ task of valuing publicity rights

As a special administrator appointed Wednesday to oversee the business affairs of Prince begins tallying up the late superstar musician’s assets, the Internal Revenue Service will be among those awaiting the results with keen interest. That’s because the future marketing of his name, likeness and image may be his most…

Apr 28, 2016 9:45 AM CDT

Prince died without a will, his sister says in court filing

Prince reportedly may have had millions in assets when he died Thursday, at age 57, at his suburban Minneapolis home. But his sister said in a Tuesday probate filing in Minnesota’s Carver County District Court that he does not have a will. Citing an emergency need for someone to manage…

Apr 26, 2016 3:46 PM CDT

Judge allows infringement claim over Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’

A federal judge in Los Angeles has refused to toss a lawsuit claiming Led Zeppelin copied part of another band’s song in “Stairway to Heaven.” U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner allowed the copyright claim in a ruling on Friday, report Reuters, the Washington Post, the Associated Press and Bloomberg…

Apr 12, 2016 8:32 AM CDT

Photo of 50 Cent at courthouse with cash stacks in waistband ‘not funny,’ says bankruptcy judge

A federal bankruptcy judge was not amused by a photo posted by 50 Cent on Instagram and Twitter last month. In addition to showing the rapper with three stacks of what seem to be $100 bills stuck in his waistband and holding a yellow bag of candies, the photo apparently…

Apr 7, 2016 3:05 PM CDT

Massive leak of law firm documents reveals offshore wealth of politicians and celebrities

One of the largest data leaks ever to occur resulted in more than 11 million documents from a Panamanian law firm that specializes in offshore incorporations and wealth management reportedly being sent to a German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung. Shared by the newspaper through the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)…

Apr 4, 2016 11:50 AM CDT

Soccer great Pele sues Samsung for $30M, using same attorney as Michael Jordan

Pele has filed a $30 million lawsuit against Samsung, contending that the electronics manufacturer improperly used a lookalike in an ad for a television set last year that ran in the New York Times. Although the name of the Brazilian soccer great isn’t mentioned, a partial face shot of a…

Mar 29, 2016 4:10 PM CDT

Once an opening act for Kid Rock, law student looks forward to new career

Ryan VanOver intended to go to law school until his musical career took over his life. After graduating from college and some twists and turns, he wound up opening for Kid Rock and signing with Atlantic Records under his southern rock and country music moniker of Ty Stone, the Associated…

Mar 28, 2016 3:55 PM CDT

Ropes & Gray must give Aaron Hernandez’s cellphone to new lawyers, judge rules

Prosecutors have won a round in their attempt to obtain the cellphone of former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, who is awaiting trial on double-murder charges. Judge Jeffrey Locke of Massachusetts on Friday ordered Hernandez’s former law firm, Ropes & Gray, to turn over the cellphone to Hernandez’s current…

Mar 28, 2016 11:00 AM CDT

Paul McCartney seeks to recapture ownership of Beatles songs he wrote

There’s a benefit to longevity under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. As Paul McCartney is now taking steps to accomplish, the author of a song can recapture publishing rights after 56 years, if it was written before 1978, Billboard reports. Publishing rights can be recaptured after 35 years for…

Mar 22, 2016 2:45 PM CDT