Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

The Federal Trade Commission has issued new guidance requiring auto dealers to display transparent, all-inclusive pricing in their advertisements. The guidance mandates that advertised prices must reflect the actual amount any consumer can pay, with only government-required charges excluded, and applies across all advertising media including online platforms.

Texas Senate Bill 140 expanded telephone solicitation laws to include text messages, creating new registration and disclosure requirements that took effect September 1, 2025. While the State of Texas has indicated that consent-based text-message marketing programs may not require registration, the lack of binding judicial precedent leaves businesses navigating uncertain compliance obligations.

Short-term discounts, comparison pricing, and "save now!" claims are powerful sales drivers, but they're increasingly landing retailers in legal hot water. This episode examines the mounting legal scrutiny surrounding false reference pricing practices and explores how California's regulatory approach is reshaping advertising compliance requirements for businesses nationwide.

The Protect College Sports Act is advancing through the US Senate, but critical questions remain unresolved that could fundamentally reshape college athletics. While the legislation addresses conference realignment and antitrust concerns, it leaves three pivotal issues undecided: whether student-athletes should be classified as employees, how Title IX applies to revenue-sharing payments, and whether international athletes on F-1 visas can legally receive such payments.

Universal Music Group's lawsuit against DistroKid raises a critical question about AI disclosure in consumer markets: when does the use of artificial intelligence become material information that must be disclosed to consumers? The case centers on allegations that DistroKid distributed mass-generated AI music while creating the impression it was created by legitimate human artists, potentially violating existing consumer protection laws even without specific AI disclosure requirements.

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board recently affirmed that a specific shade of bright green (Pantone 2297C) cannot be registered as a trademark for construction tripod legs due to functionality concerns. The decision highlights the complex interplay between color marks, safety features, and competitive disadvantage in trademark law, examining how high-visibility colors serve essential purposes beyond source identification.

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.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 awaits Senate action following bipartisan committee approval and endorsements from major conferences. This landmark federal legislation would establish a national framework for college athletics, addressing revenue sharing, NIL compensation, athlete protections, and conference realignment while preempting conflicting state laws.

The Protect College Sports Act is advancing through the US Senate, but critical questions remain unresolved that could fundamentally reshape college athletics. While the legislation addresses conference realignment and antitrust concerns, it leaves three pivotal issues undecided: whether student-athletes should be classified as employees, how Title IX applies to revenue-sharing payments, and whether international athletes on F-1 visas can legally receive such payments.

Revenue sharing and NIL issues have transformed college athletics into complex business operations, prompting questions about whether traditional single-department structures remain optimal. Could Disney's multi-subsidiary model offer a blueprint for universities to manage revenue-generating sports separately while supporting Olympic programs through specialized entities?