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Browse below for news, legal insights, information on presentations and events, and other resources from the Weintraub Tobin legal team.
Published: November 14, 2025
After losing its anti-SLAPP motion, Warner Bros. has appealed in Roadrunner JMTC LLC v. Warner Bros. Television, the lawsuit brought by Michael Crichton’s estate claiming the new series The Pitt is an unauthorized derivative of ER.
Published: November 7, 2025
When artistic identity meets corporate branding, where does copyright law draw the line?
In a new episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley discuss the lawsuit filed by artist Tyrrell Winston against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Published: November 4, 2025
The Workplace Know Your Rights Act – SB 294, takes effect on January 1st, 2026 and provides requirements for employers to notify employees of their rights related to law enforcement interactions at work, as well as providing the option for employers to notify an emergency contact in the event of an employee’s arrest at the workplace. Weintraub Tobin attorneys Ryan Abernethy and John Slavik discuss the key provisions of the new law, including the penalties for violations.
Published: October 31, 2025
A consent agreement can be a powerful tool to overcome a USPTO likelihood-of-confusion refusal—but only if it’s done right.
In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley discuss the TTAB’s precedential decision in In re Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, where the Board rejected a one-page consent agreement as a “naked consent” insufficient to overcome a Section 2(d) refusal.
Published: October 24, 2025
Can a car, a superhero, or even a cartoon sidekick be protected by copyright? In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Matt Sugarman break down how fictional characters earn legal protection — and when they don’t.
Published: October 21, 2025
In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Shauna Correia and Meagan Bainbridge discuss SB 261, a new law that strengthens enforcement of California wage judgments. Learn about the new public database for unpaid judgments, triple penalties for late payment, and mandatory attorney’s fees for enforcement.
Published: October 17, 2025
A federal court has granted summary judgment for Nirvana, dismissing Spencer Elden’s claim that the Nevermind album cover — depicting him as a baby — constituted child pornography. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and James Kachmar revisit their earlier coverage of the Ninth Circuit’s decision and unpack how the district court’s final ruling turned on artistic intent and context rather than perception.
Published: October 10, 2025
Disney faced a copyright lawsuit over the use of MOVA facial-capture software in Beauty and the Beast. A jury found Disney vicariously liable, the district court threw out the verdict, but the Ninth Circuit has now reinstated it. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler discuss:
Published: October 3, 2025
Former Congressman George Santos sued Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host used Cameo videos in a comedy segment called “Will Santos Say It?” Santos claimed copyright infringement and fraud, but both the District Court and the Second Circuit said Kimmel’s use was fair use. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler break down:
Published: September 30, 2025
California’s new AI regulations will take effect on October 1, 2025, impacting how employers can use automated tools in hiring, recruitment, and beyond. In this episode of California Employment News, Weintraub attorneys Meagan Bainbridge and Shauna Correia break down what the rules mean, the risks of noncompliance, and the steps employers can take to stay compliant.