Hollywood legal news
Show biz is our jurisdiction
‘Mixed-ish’ Creators Prevail In Idea Theft Lawsuit
-
Business
Why the New York Appeals Court Judges Reversed Harvey Weinstein’s Conviction
Three female judges were among the 4-3 ruling to reverse the conviction that was a cornerstone of the #MeToo movement; Judge Madeline Singas' dissenting opinion called the decision naive, saying, "Because New York’s women deserve better, I dissent."
BY Kevin Dolak -
News
How Safe Is Harvey Weinstein’s Conviction in L.A. Trial?
While the disgraced movie mogul's upcoming appeal will likely focus on many of the same issues that led to a New York's highest court overturning his conviction, California law allows the introduction of evidence that demonstrates a propensity to commit sex crimes.
BY Winston Cho -
News
Megan Thee Stallion Sued by Cameraman Over Hostile Work Environment Claim
The lawsuit, filed by a cameraman who says he worked for the rapper for five years, also includes allegations of unpaid wages, fat shaming and wrongful termination.
THR, Esq's Latest News
‘Mixed-ish’ Creators Prevail In Idea Theft Lawsuit
After a trip to a state appeals court, a lawsuit from actress Hayley Marie Norman accusing ABC, Tracee Ellis Ross and Kenya Barris of lifting ideas from a show she’d been pitching that she alleges was turned into Black-ish spinoff Mixed-ish without her involvement has been dismissed. The 2nd District Court of Appeal found that […]
- By
Why the New York Appeals Court Judges Reversed Harvey Weinstein’s Conviction
It was Valentine’s Day earlier this year when, in an Albany courtroom, the seven judges that make up the New York State Court of Appeals spent part of their day hearing oral arguments about potentially overturning the nearly four-year-old landmark trial in which Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two of five felony […]
- By
How Safe Is Harvey Weinstein’s Conviction in L.A. Trial?
With an appeals court overturning Harvey Weinstein’s conviction in New York, all eyes are now looking toward the integrity of a California judge’s decisions that led to a Los Angeles jury’s verdict finding him guilty of rape. Weinstein’s fate may rest on a key distinction between the two states in cases dealing with sexual assault: […]
- By
Megan Thee Stallion Sued by Cameraman Over Hostile Work Environment Claim
A cameraman who formerly worked with Megan Thee Stallion has filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging harassment and other workplace-related claims. Emilio Garcia worked as a cameraman for the rapper from 2018-23. He filed a complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday against Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete, and her companies, […]
- By
A Ban on Noncompetes Could Raise Pay — and Complicate Contracts — in Hollywood
Employers have been banned from adopting or enforcing clauses restricting workers’ ability to move to competitors, marking a pivotal change to the employment landscape that could improve working conditions in Hollywood. The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday voted 3-to-2 to ban noncompetes, which typically prevent workers from taking a new job at a rival company […]
- By
Cinemark Sued For Allegedly Shorting Customers On Beverages
Shrinkflation has come for Cinemark, with a proposed class action accusing the movie theater chain of duping customers on concessions for its largest beverage container. The lawsuit, filed in Texas federal court on Tuesday, claims Cinemark’s 24-ounce cups aren’t true to size and can only be filled with a maximum of 22 ounces of liquid. […]
- By
Les Moonves’ Fine Upped to $15K Over Interference in LAPD Sexual Assault Probe
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission has approved a $15,000 settlement by the city with Les Moonves, the former president and CEO of CBS who conspired with a now-retired LAPD captain to prevent an explosive sexual assault allegation from going public. The settlement, passed Wednesday, represents the maximum amount Moonves could’ve been charged in an administrative […]
- By
Hugh Grant Settles Illegal Snooping Lawsuit Against Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun
Actor Hugh Grant has settled a lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., the publisher of The Sun newspaper, out of court. The trial was to have determined whether the News Corp. tabloid carried out unlawful information gathering, including tapping Grant’s landline phone, bugging his car and breaking into his home. But Grant in a post on […]
- By
Producer Sues Al Roker Over DEI Policy Failures
Al Roker and his production banner have been sued by Bill Schultz, a former executive producer on an animated kids TV series in development. Schultz (The Simpsons, King of The Hill, Garfield) claims he was fired for objecting to the company’s failure to follow a diversity initiative intended to bring minority writers onto PBS television […]
- By
Online Audition Platform Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Pay-to-Play Tactics
Talent listing service Casting Networks is facing a proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of exploiting actors by charging them for opportunities to audition for roles. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, claims the pay-for-play model violates a California law aimed at protecting performers from predatory practices in Hollywood by prohibiting […]
- By
O.J. Simpson’s Lawyer Reverses Opinion on Payments to Goldman Family (Exclusive)
O.J. Simpson’s longtime attorney, who was named executor of the former NFL star’s will ahead of his death last week, has said he will ensure that any claim the parents of Ron Goldman make to retrieve the millions they were awarded in a 1998 civil judgment against the accused killer will be accepted by the […]
- By
‘Rust’ Armorer Sentenced to 18-Month Prison Term for Involuntary Manslaughter
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armorer who loaded the live round into the gun Alec Baldwin was holding when it discharged and killed the film’s cinematographer, will serve 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. The decision from Santa Fe judge Mary Sommer, delivered on Monday, comes after a jury found Gutierrez-Reed guilty, making her the […]
- By
Studios Are Going After Piracy Again, Potentially Reigniting Fight Over Free Speech
In 2011, at the tail end of the golden age of digital piracy, Hollywood mobilized to crack down on copyright infringement through a pair of bills that would’ve restricted access to sites that host pirated content. The legislation was met with fierce opposition from Silicon Valley and online free speech advocates, who argued that it […]
- By
How SAG-AFTRA’s AI Road Map Works in Practice
Last year will likely go down as the moment that artificial intelligence came of age. In November 2022, OpenAI released the first iteration of its chatbot, ChatGPT. The world spent 2023 amazed by the potential of ChatGPT and grappling with its consequences. But, in the entertainment industry, the introduction of ChatGPT upended the 2023 collective […]
- By
Hollywood Labor Backs AI Transparency Bill That Could Offer Firepower to Creators
As generative artificial intelligence tools push into the entertainment industry, Hollywood is throwing its weight behind a bill that will require heightened transparency from AI companies. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Tuesday, will require firms to disclose copyrighted works used to train generative AI systems. If the bill passes, OpenAI, for […]
- By
Paramount Wins ‘Top Gun’ Copyright Lawsuit
Paramount has prevailed in a copyright lawsuit, brought by the heirs to the author of a 1983 magazine story that inspired the original Top Gun, accusing the studio of forging ahead with the blockbuster sequel without renegotiating a new license. U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson, in an order dismissing the case on Friday, found that […]
- By