Southwestern University School of Law
Los Angeles

Donald E. Biederman
Entertainment & Media Law Institute

April 2006
Volume 27 Number 11

International Developments

“The Da Vinci Code” does not infringe copyright to non-fiction book “Holy Blood, Holy Grail,” British court rules

Recent Cases  

“The DaVinci Code” does not infringe copyrights to novel “Daughter of God,” appellate court affirms

Use of sexually coarse and vulgar language by writers of TV series “Friends” did not constitute harassment of female writers’ assistant, California Supreme Court rules

Use of vulgar language by male coach of University of North Carolina’s women’s soccer team did not sexually harass player, federal appellate court affirms

Movie “Billy Elliot” did not infringe copyright to screenplay “The Sunday Hat”

Most, but not all, claims are dismissed in suit alleging “White Chicks” was plagiarized from screenplay “Johnny Bronx”

Downloading from Kazaa is not a fair use, Court of Appeals rules

Court refuses to dismiss record companies’ copyright infringement claims against alleged Kazaa user, but does dismiss user’s privacy and abuse counterclaims

Attempt by granddaughter of author of “Winnie-the-Pooh” books to terminate grant to licensee Stephen Slesinger, Inc., was not effective, Court of Appeals affirms

“Bowling for Columbine” did not defame brother of Oklahoma City bomber Terry Nichols

Enforcement of violent video game statutes in Michigan, Illinois and California all enjoined, on First Amendment grounds  

Departments

Entertainment Lawyer News: 
   Jessica Darraby forms Art Law firm based in Santa Monica

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