Entertainment Law, Media Law and Telecoms Law

Division I schools spent nearly $2 billion in direct compensation and benefits for college athletes during the first year of the House v. NCAA settlement, with 307 schools (85% of Division I) participating in the new compensation system. The data reveals thousands of new athletic scholarships and a fundamental transformation in how college sports revenue is shared with athletes.

The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, legislation that would fundamentally reshape college athletics by establishing federal rules governing NIL compensation, athlete representation, transfers, and eligibility while granting the NCAA significant antitrust protection. This comprehensive framework could provide universities with greater regulatory certainty but may substantially limit the legal tools athletes have used to challenge NCAA restrictions...

The U.S. Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, establishing a potential national framework for college athletics that addresses NIL compensation, antitrust protections, and revenue-sharing. Key amendments include raising the power-conference cap to 20 members, shortening the conference realignment lookback period, and requiring foreign funding disclosure.

The author announces the early arrival of his daughter Sapphire Jane Troutman while simultaneously launching ticket sales for the fifth annual Law Conference of Champions (LCOC V), scheduled for July 19-21, 2027 in Southern California. Tickets start at $199 but increase by $10 daily, eventually reaching $3,099, making early purchase essential for attendees interested in the premier legal marketing and advertising conference.

A federal jury's $9.25 million verdict against The New York Times for falsely placing a college basketball player at a murder scene reveals how inadequate verification of anonymous sources, ignored editorial safeguards, and dismissal of credible denials can establish actual malice. The historic decision—the first defamation verdict against the Times in over 50 years—demonstrates that involvement in a newsworthy event does not automatically make someone a public figure, and that a publisher's pos

As digital influencers increasingly incorporate copyrighted music, video clips, and images into their content, the legal boundaries of fair use have become critically important. This analysis examines the four-factor fair use test and reveals common misconceptions that put content creators at risk of copyright infringement. Understanding these legal principles is essential for influencers who monetize their content through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links.

California law recognizes that workplace sexual harassment extends beyond physical interactions to include digital communications through Slack, Teams, texts, social media, and other electronic platforms. Understanding how unwanted sexual messages, explicit content, and inappropriate digital conduct can create a hostile work environment is crucial for protecting employee rights, regardless of whether communications occur during work hours or through personal devices.

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public feedback on modernizing its accessibility framework to address rapid changes in consumer technology. The draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking examines whether existing rules keep pace with today's communications marketplace or inadvertently hinder innovation in accessibility solutions.

Retro, a friends-only photo-sharing app built by former Instagram teammates Nathan Sharp and Ryan Olson, is challenging today's algorithm-driven social media landscape with a private, ad-free alternative. The app functions as a weekly photo journal designed to reconnect users with close friends and family, eschewing public feeds, follower counts, and AI-generated content in favor of intimate, subscription-based social spaces.

Retro, a friends-only photo-sharing app built by former Instagram teammates Nathan Sharp and Ryan Olson, is challenging today's algorithm-driven social media landscape with a private, ad-free alternative. The app functions as a weekly photo journal designed to reconnect users with close friends and family, eschewing public feeds, follower counts, and AI-generated content in favor of intimate, subscription-based social spaces.

A Delaware Court of Chancery decision clarifies that public benefit corporation directors are not bound by traditional Revlon duties to maximize shareholder value in change-of-control transactions. This landmark ruling provides important guidance for founders, investors, and directors navigating the intersection of profit-driven objectives and mission-driven outcomes in the startup ecosystem.

California has enacted the nation's strongest legislation regulating AI chatbots and social media for minors, imposing mandatory safety audits, crisis protocols, and prohibitions on addictive features. Companies operating companion chatbots, social media platforms, or online services used by children face significant compliance obligations and civil penalties up to $1 million per child for negligent harm.