By Tod C. Gurney | Published March 18, 2015 | Posted in Copyright Infringement | Tagged Tags: Copyright Infringement | Leave a comment
Musicians Ordered to Pay Millions for “Blurred Lines”
Last week, a jury in California ordered musicians Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to pay $7.4 million total forcopyright damages plus profits attributable to infringement. Both escaped statutory damages as the infringement was found not to be willful. The copyright infringement was for their song “Blurred Lines,” which the court found to be improperly drawn Read More
Read MoreSeverance Agreements and Employment Termination
What is a Severance Agreement? A severance agreement is a contract between an employer and employee that sets out the terms of termination of employment. It is also known as a “separation” or “termination” agreement. What Does a Severance Agreement Look Like? A severance agreement can look like a typical contract or it can be Read More
Read MoreCalifornia Court Upholds Dismissal of Transportation Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit upheld a prior dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA) against the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) diesel engine emissions regulations. The judges in the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the case based on a lack of Read More
Read MoreSeeing Both Sides of the Minimum Wage Debate
On July 1, California’s minimum wage went from $8 an hour to $9. Just days later, the San Diego City Council voted to raise the city’s minimum wage and mandated that companies give employees five sick days each year. It isn’t just San Diego–San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond are pondering similar hikes. With so Read More
Read MoreMacy’s Tries to Win Back Trademarks in California Court
Macy’s Department Stores has been purchasing a multitude of other stores over the last few years, including Marshall Field’s, Filene’s, Abraham & Strauss, and Jordan Marsh. Many of these stores were rebranded as Macy’s regional stores, but a lawsuit filed by the company in California says that a rival company has infringed upon thetrademarks of Read More
Read MoreMore Service Companies Facing Lawsuits over Employment Status
With the advent of companies like Uber and Lyft, the number ofon-demand service companies has been increasing dramatically. However, lawsuits filed against these companies regarding the status of their workers and overtime may bring a stop to the way that they do business. Lawsuits against the rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are already pending, and Read More
Read MoreConstruction Defect Litigation in California
What Are Construction Defects? Almost any condition that diminishes the value of a home, condominium, or common area can be legally recognized as a construction defect. The flaw can be in the design of the property itself or can result from negligent behavior on the part of the builders or contractors. It can also Read More
Read MoreCommercial Real Estate Transactions: Considerations for the Buyer
An Overview of Real Estate Transactions For many businesses, commercial real estate transactions are among the most time-consuming and resource-intensive tasks they will ever encounter. Real estate transactions are governed by a combination of federal laws, state statutes and common law. The state laws can differ greatly from state to state. Many buyers of commercial Read More
Read MoreSocial Media Use in the Workplace: Best Practices for Employers and Employees
Social Media Social media, which has taken over our personal lives, has also crept into the workplace. Because it is such a powerful force, employers and employees need to take precautions to ensure that the use of social media during the workday is limited and does not harm the overall purpose and goals of the Read More
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