Entertainment Litigation
Jackson Walker’s entertainment litigation attorneys handle every type of civil dispute pertaining to the entertainment industry, enabling our broad range of entertainment clients to solve their business challenges and protect their creative works. Our attorneys take an aggressive, but strategic, approach toward the protection and enforcement of our clients’ rights – from minor disputes to precedent-setting cases.
With a strong understanding of the entertainment industry’s various subsets, businesses, and nuances, Jackson Walker has extensive experience in litigation matters concerning rights ownership disputes, royalty disputes, idea submission disputes, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, cybersquatting, Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) domain name disputes, right of privacy violations, defamation claims, and more.
Jackson Walker has represented businesses and individuals around the country at both the state and federal levels, as well as in mediation and arbitration proceedings before providers including the American Arbitration Association (AAA), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS), and the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA).
Jackson Walker has also served as go-to local counsel for premiere entertainment law firms out of New York and California for entertainment litigation pending in Texas courts.
While we are proud of our years of courtroom success, Jackson Walker attorneys bring their experience in the complex world of entertainment transactions and digital to bear to help clients craft deals and agreements with the goal of minimizing risk and resolving matters outside of litigation.
- Defense and prosecution of copyright and trademark claims for various industry clients
- Defense of various television networks and celebrities in defamation cases involving traditional and online media
- Defense of major film studio in right of publicity case involving a successful feature film
- Representation of film production company in dispute over film distribution agreement and royalty payments and accountings
- Representation of producers in film production finance agreement disputes
- Representation of large independent music publisher in multi-jurisdictional dispute over music catalog of prolific songwriter
- Representation of entertainment company in dispute over ownership of new media technology for the music industry
- Representation of concert promoter in artist performance agreement dispute
- Representation of various commercial businesses against copyright licensing claims asserted by music and film performance rights organizations
- Defense of major book publisher in copyright infringement suit
- Representation of video game developer in First Amendment dispute
- Defense of online service provider in multi-million dollar online photography copyright infringement suit
- Defense of various entertainment and media companies in online photography cases involving claims of copyright infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
- Defense of magazine publisher in trademark dispute with competitor
- Defense of major reality television production company in suits involving unfair labor practice claims, including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) claims
- Local counsel to various entertainment industry clients in the prosecution or defense of copyright and trademark infringement claims brought in Texas
August 19, 2025
Speaking Engagements
Emilio Nicolas to Present at the 35th Annual Entertainment Law Institute
Jackson Walker partner Emilio B. Nicolas will be a featured speaker at the 35th Annual Entertainment Law Institute (ELI), an event co-sponsored by The University of Texas School of Law and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
April 1, 2025
Speaking Engagements
Demi Williams Coles Joins Sports and Entertainment Law Fireside Chat Celebrating Women’s History Month
Demi Williams Coles took part in an inspiring all-women fireside chat in celebration of Women’s History Month. Hosted by the SMU Dedman Sports and Entertainment Law Association, the event brought together leading female attorneys in the sports industry to share their stories, career advice, and insights.
January 29, 2025
Mentions
Emilio Nicolas Discusses Legal Standards for Copyright Infringement in the M. Night Shyamalan Case
In a recent article published by Asia IP, Jackson Walker partner Emilio B. Nicolas provided an in-depth analysis of the legal standards for copyright infringement, focusing on a high-profile trial involving acclaimed filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan and the Apple TV+ series “Servant”.
December 27, 2024
Speaking Engagements
October Highlights: Demi Williams Coles Leads NIL Discussions
During the month of October, Jackson Walker senior counsel Demi Williams Coles participated in three NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) events, providing valuable insights into this evolving legal landscape.
