On The Briefing, IP and Entertainment attorney Scott Hervey and his guests discuss current legal and business issues related to media, entertainment, and intellectual property.

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The Briefing: The Man In Black v. Coca Cola: The New Soundalike Showdown

Did Coca-Cola cross the line by using a Johnny Cash soundalike in its nationwide “Fan Work is Thirsty Work” campaign? In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley unpack the Cash estate’s lawsuit and what it reveals about the evolving law of soundalikes. In this episode, they cover: How…

The Briefing: What Is Fair Use and Why Does It Matter? (Featured)

Creators, beware: just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s fair game. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley break down one of the most misunderstood areas of copyright law—fair use. In this episode, they cover: What makes a use “transformative”? Why credit alone doesn’t protect you…

The Briefing – Turkey, Trademarks, and Thanksgiving Branding – IP Protection for Recipes and Holiday Traditions

Who really owns your Thanksgiving traditions? In this special holiday edition of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin partners Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley discuss how intellectual property law intersects with holiday food, recipes, and branding. They explore: Why recipes usually aren’t protected by copyright The surprising trademarks behind holiday favorites like Turducken and Tofurky How brands…

The Briefing: Reboot or Not? The Battle Between ER’s Creator and Warner Bros Hits the Court of Appeal

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. In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin attorneys Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler discuss: The background behind the ER “freeze clause” Warner Bros.’ First…

The Briefing: Tyrrell Winston v. NBA – When Artistic Style Becomes Copyright

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. Winston—whose distinctive sculptures of deflated basketballs arranged in grids have been exhibited worldwide and licensed by…

The Briefing: The Nirvana Baby Lawsuit – A Win for Nirvana

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…

The Briefing: Court Says “No Way” To 50 Cent’s Battle Over Skill House

50 Cent’s two-minute cameo in the horror film “Skill House” turned into a full-blown legal battle over credits, contracts, and control. In this episode of The Briefing, Weintraub entertainment and IP attorneys Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler break down what went wrong—and what Hollywood can learn from it. Watch this episode on YouTube or listen…

The Briefing: What Is Fair Use and Why Does It Matter?

Creators, beware: just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s fair game. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley break down one of the most misunderstood areas of copyright law—fair use. In this episode, they cover: What makes a use “transformative”? Why credit alone doesn’t protect you…

The Briefing: Anthropic, Copyright, and the Fair Use Divide

A federal judge has ruled that training Claude AI on copyrighted books—even without a license—was transformative and protected under fair use. But storing millions of pirated books in a permanent internal library? That crossed the line. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler break down this…

The Briefing: The Ninth Circuit Puts the Brakes on Eleanor’s Copyright Claim

Can a car be a copyrightable character? In Carroll Shelby Licensing v. Halicki, the Ninth Circuit said no — ruling that “Eleanor,” the iconic Mustang from ‘Gone in 60 Seconds,’ lacks the distinctiveness and consistency required for copyright protection. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley break down the history…

The Briefing: No CTRL-ALT-DEL For the Server Test

On this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and James Kachmar break down the Supreme Court’s decision to pass on the McGuckin v. Valnet case—and how it keeps the legal confusion swirling around the “server test” for embedding online content. With courts on opposite coasts taking different stances, what does…

The Briefing: Trademark Mayhem – Lady Gaga Gets Sued for Trademark Infringement

Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” tour has sparked legal trouble. In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and James Kachmar analyze a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by surf brand, Lost International, which claims Gaga’s use of “Mayhem” on merchandise violates their long-standing rights. The discussion explores the strength of Lost’s trademark, the likelihood of consumer…

The Briefing: The Future of TV? A 2025 Digital Media Trends Analysis

Is traditional Hollywood facing an existential crisis? Deloitte’s 2025 Digital Media Trends report reveals a massive shift in how Gen Z and millennials consume content. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler break down the data and explore what this means for studios, creators, and the future of storytelling on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this…

The Briefing: ER Redux? The Anti-SLAPP Motion That Didn’t Stick

The estate of ‘ER’ creator Michael Crichton is suing Warner Brothers, claiming their new medical drama ‘The Pit’ is a derivative of ‘ER.’ IP and Entertainment attorneys Scott Hervey and Jessica Corpuz discuss this case on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel or listen to this podcast episode…

The Briefing: Diana Copeland – “Surviving R. Kelly” But Not Netflix’s Motion to Dismiss

In this installment of The Briefing, Scott Hervey & Jessica Corpuz cover the landmark defamation case Copeland v. Netflix—dissecting the high bar for public figures to prove defamation and the critical concept of “actual malice.” From the Surviving R. Kelly documentary to First Amendment protections, they unpack the legal complexities surrounding public figures and media reporting.…

The Briefing: The Stanley Cup Clash – A Trademark Battle

Did you know the popular Stanley Travel Cup is tied to Stanley Black & Decker? A lawsuit is brewing over trademark rights and branding disputes. Is PMI overstepping, or is Stanley Black & Decker overreaching?  Weintraub Tobin attorneys Scott Hervey and Tara Settler discuss the legal battle over the iconic…

The Briefing: Bad Spaniels – Infringement? No. Dilution? Yes

On this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler dive into the landmark Jack Daniels v. VIP Products case that changed trademark law. They break down the Supreme Court’s ruling on trademark infringement vs. dilution and explore how a dog toy parody nearly tarnished Jack Daniels’ brand. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube…

The Briefing: 2025 IP Resolutions Start With a Review of IP Assets

Kick off 2025 by reviewing your company’s IP assets! Whether you’re new to IP protection or a seasoned pro, it’s crucial to keep track of your valuable intellectual property. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler break down key steps in safeguarding your trademarks, copyrights, and patents on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode…

The Briefing: The Fall of SUPER HERO – When Trademarks Become Generic

For more than half a century, Marvel Comics and DC Comics have jointly owned the trademark ‘Superhero.’ However, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board recently granted a petition to cancel that mark because it became generic. Scott Hervey and James Kachmar discuss this case and how marks become generic on this episode of The Briefing.…

The Briefing: New California Laws for Digital Replicas Both Live and Dead

California recently passed two new AI laws that aim to protect individuals from the unauthorized creation of digital replicas. Scott Hervey and James Kachmar discuss these laws and their implications for the media industry on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here or listen to the podcast episode here:

The Briefing: Punchbowl News’ Trademark Win Despite Rogers Setback

Punchbowl News won the trademark infringement lawsuit filed by greeting card and event planning company, Punch Bowl Inc., despite a previous setback at the Ninth Circuit. Scott Hervey and Jamie Lincenberg discuss this recent development in this installment of The Briefing. Cases Discussed: Rogers V. Grimaldi Jack Daniels Properties Inc. Versus VIP products Punchbowl, Inc.…

The Briefing – Late Night, Early Dismissal: The Santos-Kimmel Copyright Case

A New York Judge dismissed former Rep. George Santos’ lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel Live over the late-night host’s use of personalized Cameo videos in one of his segments. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler discuss this decision on this installment of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here, or listen to the podcast…

The Briefing: Deep Dive into the NO FAKES Act

A group of senators introduced an update to the ‘No Fakes Act,’ which protects the voice and visual likeness of individuals from unauthorized AI-generated recreations. Scott Hervey and James Kachmar discuss the changes to this act on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel…

The Briefing: How to Avoid Bearing The Risks of A Naked License (Featured)

In Blue Mountain Holdings v. Bliss Nutraceuticals, the 11th Circuit upheld a U.S. District Court finding that Lighthouse Enterprises issued a naked license to Blue Mountain, which covered the trademark in question. Scott Hervey and Eric Caligiuri discuss this case and how to avoid bearing the risks of a naked license in this featured…

The Briefing: Brandy Melville Doubles Down Against Redbubble

The ongoing dispute between Brandy Melville and Redbubble over trademark and copyright infringement continues. Despite previous setbacks, Brandy Melville has filed a new lawsuit against Redbubble, alleging the sale of counterfeit products and copyright infringement. Scott Hervey and Jamie Lincenberg from Weintraub Tobin explore the history of the dispute, the…

The Briefing: Tennessee’s ELVIS Act Isn’t What You Think

Tennessee’s ELVIS Act —Breaking down the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and the Image Security Act of 2024. Scott Hervey and James Kachmar from Weintraub Tobin discuss its impact on AI audio technology and how it protects musicians in the next installment of “The Briefing.” Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube…

The Briefing: Defamation by Docudrama – Inventing Anna (ARCHIVE)

In this archive episode of “The Briefing,” Scott Hervey discusses a defamation dispute between Rachel Williams – a victim of con artist Anna Sorokin – and Netflix over her portrayal in the docudrama “Inventing Anna.” Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here or listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: Nirvana Stuck in Lawsuit Over “Nevermind” Album Cover

As James Kachmar previously wrote on the IP Law Blog, the man who was photographed as a naked baby in 1991 for Nirvana’s iconic “Nevermind” album cover is now suing the band for distributing child pornography. Scott Hervey and James discuss the Ninth Circuit’s opinion on the case in this episode of The Briefing. Read…

The Briefing: The Protectability of Short Phrases (Archive)

While iconic catchphrases from TV and film can hold significant equity, protection of them can be spotty. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler talk about the protectability of short phrases on this archive episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here or listen to this podcast episode here:

Year in Review: The Briefing’s Top 3 Podcast Episodes in 2023

Weintraub Tobin’s Intellectual Property podcast, The Briefing, published nearly 50 episodes this year covering a variety of IP issues relating to trademark, copyright, and entertainment law. As we look back, we want to share The Briefing’s most popular episodes in 2023. 3: What Now for Fair Use After Warhol v.…

The Briefing: Jingle Brawl – The Battle for ‘Queen of Christmas’

Mariah Carey has widely been referred to by fans as the ‘Queen of Christmas,’ but when she attempted to trademark the title last year, it was met with pushback from another singer and songwriter who claimed to hold the same title. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler discuss this dispute on this Holiday edition of The…

The Briefing: Netflix to Pay $2.5M to GoTV for Patent Infringement

Netflix has been ordered to pay GoTV Streaming $2.5 Million in damages for infringing one of its wireless technology patents. Scott Hervey and Eric Caligiuri discuss this update on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here or listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: The AI Copyright Conundrum Continues – An Update

A recent article in The Hollywood Reporter explores TV and movie studios’ potential use of AI for generating scripts. Scott Hervey and Jamie Lincenberg discuss this and other statements in the article on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: How to Avoid Bearing The Risks of A Naked License

In Blue Mountain Holdings v. Bliss Nutraceuticals, the 11th Circuit upheld a U.S. District Court finding that Lighthouse Enterprises issued a naked license to Blue Mountain, which covered the trademark in question. Scott Hervey and Eric Caligiuri discuss this case and how to avoid bearing the risks of a naked license in this episode…

The Briefing: A Prototypical Corporate Salesperson is Not Patentable

The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated seven patents owned by an AI technology company after applying the two-step Alice test. Scott Hervey and Audrey Millemann talk about this decision on this episode of The Briefing. Read more about this case on the IP Law Blog here. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here.…

The Briefing: No CTRL-ALT-DEL For the Server Test

Alexis Hunley v. Instagram has been referred to as one of the top copyright cases to watch this year. Scott Hervey and Jamie Lincenberg discuss this case on this episode of The Briefing. Read more about this case on the IP Law Blog here. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this…

The Briefing: Zillow Loses Second Round of Copyright Fight

The Ninth Circuit recently issued an opinion affirming that Zillow infringed thousands of copyrights owned by a real estate photography studio. Scott Hervey and James Kachmar discuss this case on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel, here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: Is Warhol Bad for Documentarians?

There is some concern that the Supreme Court’s decision in Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith will harm the documentary filmmaking community. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler discuss the implications of this case on this episode of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: The Supreme Court Limits the Reach of The Lanham Act

The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided that trademark infringement claims under the Lanham Act only apply if the infringing “use in commerce” occurs in the United States. Scott Hervey and Tara Sattler talk about this case on this installment of The Briefing. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast…

California Employment News: The Basics of Pay Exemptions

Certain employees can be exempt from overtime pay and meal and rest breaks under both the FLSA and California Labor Law. Meagan Bainbridge and Lukas Clary break down the basics of pay exemptions in part 1 of this 4-part series for California Employment News. Listen to this podcast episode here. Watch this episode on the…

California Employment News: Department of Labor Guidance on Telework

The U.S. Department of Labor issued guidance earlier this year that reminds employers of the current rights of teleworking employees under both the FLSA and FMLA. The Labor & Employment practice group reviews this guidance in this episode of California Employment News. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen…

California Employment News: Using Employee Time Attestations

Employee time attestations are a valuable way for employers to track missed and/or non-compliant meal and rest breaks. In this episode of California Employment News, Meagan Bainbridge and Katie Collins review how employers can use time attestations to their advantage. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

California Employment News: The Basics of Wage Statement Compliance (Part 1)

Wage statements might seem straightforward, but employers who make mistakes on them could face PAGA claims or class-action lawsuits as a result. Join Shauna Correia and Rachel Davey from Weintraub’s Labor & Employment group as they review the basics of wage statement compliance in California in part one of this three-part series from California Employment…

California Employment News: Time to Do Away With Rounding Policies

Recent case law has brought time rounding policies into question. In this episode of California Employment News, Meagan Bainbridge and Katie Collins review the California Court of Appeal’s recent ruling in Camp v. Home Depot, and discuss how it could impact time rounding policies for California employers.

The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Is the Server Test Ready for a Reboot?

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog,  Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo discuss the impact of Alexis Hunley, et al v. Instagram, LLC on copyright law, and specifically on the Server Test. Considered one of the top copyright cases to watch, Hunley deals with the practice of “embedding” and its copyright implications.

The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Update – Andy Warhol Foundation Urges Supreme Court to Reverse Fair Use Decision

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog, Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo provide an update on the copyright dispute between a photographer and the Andy Warhol Foundation over several Warhol paintings that utilize the photographer’s images as source material. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: What The Settlement of Ratajkowski/Paparazzi Copyright Lawsuit Means For Fair Use

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog, Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo provide an update on the copyright infringement dispute between a paparazzo and Emily Ratajkowski, and discuss the settlement’s implications for Fair Use. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: The Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in Copyright Infringement Action Involving Warhol, Prince, and Goldsmith

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog, Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo discuss a photographer’s copyright infringement action against the Andy Warhol Foundation, over several Warhol paintings that utilize the photographer’s images as source material. Read more about this case on the IP Law Blog, here. Watch this episode…

The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Supreme Court Petitioned to Overturn 8th Circuit’s Holding on Architectural Plans that Upends “Standard Marketing Practices” in Real Estate Industry

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog, Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo discuss the 8th Circuit’s opinion on copyright protection for architectural plans that could uphend “standard marketing practices” in Real Estate. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to this podcast episode here:

The Briefing: Copyright Office Rejects Application for A.I. Created Art Work

In this episode of The Briefing by the IP Law Blog, Scott Hervey and Josh Escovedo discuss the U.S. Copyright Office’s refusal to register a copyright for a piece of artwork created by Artificial Intelligence. Audrey Millemann writes about this decision on The IP Law Blog, here. Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel here. Listen to…