Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued new general licenses and guidance that significantly expand telecommunications opportunities in Venezuela while clarifying earthquake relief payment processing and extending enforcement timelines for the PdVSA 2020 bond. These developments represent OFAC's continued incremental approach to Venezuela sanctions, balancing humanitarian and commercial engagement with maintained restrictions on government dealings and investment activities.

California has passed Senate Bill 690, a bill that would sharply limit private lawsuits over website tracking technology if signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill amends the California Invasion of Privacy Act...

California Senate Bill 690 has passed both legislative chambers and awaits Governor Newsom's signature, but the final version represents a dramatic scaling back from its original ambitious CIPA reform proposals.

From digital sampling battles to AI-generated music, copyright law has consistently arrived late to technological disruption in the music industry. This examination traces landmark litigation across sampling, streaming, and artificial intelligence, revealing how rights holders have repeatedly shaped legal frameworks through strategic action rather than waiting for legislative solutions.

Taylor Swift faces a trademark dispute over her album title "The Life of a Showgirl" with performer Maren Flagg, who holds a 12-year registration for "Confessions of a Showgirl." The case centers on reverse confusion claims and whether Swift's global fame could overwhelm Flagg's earlier trademark rights, raising questions about brand dilution and the commercial impact of similar marks in the entertainment industry.

When Taylor Swift released her album 'The Life of a Showgirl,' she faced a trademark infringement lawsuit from Maren Flagg, who claimed the title violated her registered trademark CONFESSIONS OF A SHOWGIRL. The case explores the critical boundary between artistic expression and commercial trademark use, particularly when musical artists transform album releases into merchandise-driven business ventures.

On September 4, 2026 – the first day of the lowest unit charge (LUC) window for the November general election – the U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency stay of the Fourth Circuit’s order in Brown v. FCC, thereby reinstating the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Media Bureau’s March 2026 Public Notice on LUC for political party ads.

The Federal Communications Commission has set a firm deadline for broadcast licensees to submit their annual regulatory fee payments, with significant penalties for late submissions. Understanding the payment process, exemptions, and consequences of non-compliance is crucial for all radio and television license holders to maintain their authorizations and avoid enforcement actions.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act's notice-and-takedown system, originally designed to combat online piracy, is being exploited through fraudulent copyright claims to suppress legitimate news coverage and erase critical reporting from the internet. Bad actors are using identity theft, backdated content, and automated platform algorithms to weaponize copyright law for digital censorship, creating serious implications for businesses, media outlets, and online publishers.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (PCSA), introduced in the Senate on June 2, 2026, by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and joined by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), represents a comprehensive federal legislative effort to reshape the governance and economics of intercollegiate athletics...

One year after the landmark House v. NCAA settlement reshaped college athletics, legal and business challenges continue to emerge around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. From the $2.8 billion in back damages to the new $20.5 million institutional licensing cap, the framework governing student-athlete compensation raises complex questions about oversight, third-party agreements, and Title IX compliance that remain unresolved.

Winston Taylor and Hagens Berman announce that their audit of Power Five Conference revenues has uncovered over $44 million in additional compensation for Division I athletes under the House Revenue Sharing System. The collaborative audit process with the NCAA and major conferences identified previously unreported revenues, resulting in an extra $131,438 per participating school for the 2026-27 academic year.