The corporate sports world is in a stir, with the recent announcement of a proposed merger between football leagues XFL and USFL. Unsurprisingly, some notable Biglaw firms have begun to play indispensable roles in the proceedings. Specific details around the representation of each league by their respective law firms remain unconfirmed, however. The XFL, owned…
In this rapidly evolving world of entertainment and sports, there’s always a host of legal aspects to contend with. For legal professionals working in these industries, it is pertinent to stay informed of the latest updates and trends. Accordingly, the latest issue of “The Pitch” from September 2023, comes packed with essential updates that would…
Across the nation, independent schools are making significant strides in fostering greater equity, understanding, and inclusivity among their student body, particularly across the gender spectrum, as seen here. This advancement, nevertheless, faces a striking contradiction in the legislative efforts at the state and federal levels. Regrettably, these legislative movements seem to be moving in stark…
In a significant recent decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit addressed a question of first impression regarding the realm of prior art relevant to design patent infringement analysis. The court concluded that to be considered suitable as comparison prior art, an existing design must be applied to the article of manufacture…
In a recent ruling, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has denied tax-exempt status to organizations formed to provide opportunities for student athletes to monetize their “name, image and likeness,” commonly referred to as “NIL”. This decision shakes up the fledgling industry built around NIL rights, the financial interests of which have gained growing attention in…
Joe Montana, the football legend, finds himself in the middle of a heated lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco. The lawsuit complexities do not only involve the high-profile plaintiff but an array of property damage issues that most homeowners would prefer not having to navigate. Given that Montana’s suit includes factors such…
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is raising eyebrows within the fantasy sports industry. In a significant move, the FGCC has issued cease-and-desist letters to three online fantasy sports operators. This represents the FGCC’s maiden action against the online fantasy sports industry in Florida, but it is part and parcel of a rising trend observed…
The economic aftermath of the 2007-2008 financial crisis gave rise to cryptocurrency, a new form of digital asset that significantly revolutionized the financial landscape. Almost one and a half decades since the publication of Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper, cryptocurrencies, despite being just data bytes on a blockchain backed by no physical entity or institution, have…
The ongoing Americanization of London’s legal industry may be reaching its peak, as evidence suggests U.S. law firms may no longer experience the growth in the region they once did. This trendnote, rooted in the historical allure of London, calls to mind the city’s habit of attracting the world’s best in multiple disciplines. Often a…
The British legal industry, like the prestigious sports events of Wimbledon and the Premier League, has become a magnet attracting global talent. This globalisation has potentially weakened UK firms, as foreign talent and practices, particularly from the US, have gained prominence. Yet, it seems, American firms may not be reaping the benefits in the region…
In a new development that may resonate with many legal professionals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”) has issued a precedential decision clarifying the law on comparison prior art in design patent cases. The decision emerged from the case of Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc. v. Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc.,…
The Department of Education (DOE) is set to issue two major amendments to Title IX regulations, changes that will potentially impact educational institutions, particularly colleges, universities, and public K-12 schools. The amendments are expected to be issued in the coming month, amidst ongoing academic sessions, thus posing challenges for these institutions. One rule focuses on…
As autumn season ushers in, many await the tantalizing aroma of pumpkin spice, the feverish excitement of football and the social conventions that accompany this time period. In an intriguing development as documented by JDSupra, last weekend, the University of Buffalo ran into a problematic situation. The fiercely admired football season, often seen as a…
Pro Sports Extra, a sports news outlet, recently found itself in the midst of a copyright infringement issue over the use of a photograph of Richard Stafford, the family attorney of Gabby Petito. Petito, a travel blogger who was allegedly murdered by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, during their cross-country journey, has been the focus of…
Brooklyn federal prosecutors have declared their intention to appeal an unexpected judicial decision that recently absolved a former 21st Century Fox television executive and an Argentine sports marketing company of their convictions in the globally-followed FIFA corruption scandal. Their declaration was made official according to notices filed with the Second Circuit. The development is significant…
Greetings to the esteemed professionals in the world of law and corporate affairs. Let’s delve into the significant legal events you need to be aware of on this Friday, September 22. As part of a weekday routine, a selection of key news articles, along with commentary and other pertinent links related to the Supreme Court,…
In a notable legislative move, North Carolina has given the green light to the long-contemplated legislation that legalizes both mobile and in-person sports wagering. This comes after years of heated debates and standoff that saw the same legislation miss passing in the 2022 legislative session by just one vote. The recent legislation signals a significant…
Communities across Canada witnessed a rise in tension this week as both protests and counter-protests on the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum in schools took place. The number of participants ranged from a few hundred to over a thousand people in several cities. In some instances, these protests culminated in arrests made in…
In a startling development from the legal world of sports entertainment, a personal injury lawsuit presented unexpected complications for the Washington Commanders Football Team (formerly known as Pro-Football Inc.). As reported by Law.com, a federal judge in Maryland rejected the team’s motion to default to arbitration. This decision originated from a user experience that started…
In the ongoing scrutiny of covenant non-compete (non-compete) clauses by Georgia’s courts, a clear trend has emerged of judges preferring to apply local legislation over other states’, even when a contract specifies otherwise. This predilection was highlighted recently in the case of Motorsports of Conyers, LLC v. Burbach, Case No. S22G0854, decided on September 6,…
Recent developments have emphasized the importance for companies to have a robust workplace violence policy. A recent example outlined by FordHarrison on JD Supra explores an entertainment context where hostility can be part of the spectacle. Professional wrestling, for instance, is an intriguing case study here. It’s arguably more of a theatrical spectacle rather than…
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has recently filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The lawsuit alleges that IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, along with their legal representatives, illegally disclosed Hunter’s private tax information to the public between April and August 2023. An account issued by Shapley’s legal team maintains…
In the high-stakes game of bankruptcy, it appears that Diamond Sports Group (DSG) has not been successfully swinging for the fences. This observation arises from a U.S. bankruptcy case, which scrutinizes whether a debtor can pay something less than the full contract rate while still requiring the counterparty to fully perform its obligations pending assumption…
The latest case report from the Federal Appeals Circuit, concerning Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc. v. Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc., (Appeal Nos. 2021-2299, -2338) provides an illuminating analysis of precedent concerning design patents and infringement scope. Dated September 15, 2023, this decade-old case offers fresh insight into the domain of intellectual property law, particularly in…
Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City and personal lawyer to ex-President Donald Trump, is being sued by a lawyer who is claiming $1.36 million in legal fees. Displaying a flash of humor in this rather serious situation, the controversial attorney’s predicament has been likened to needing about 4200 Cameos worth of earnings…