Representative Litigation Matters

Intellectual Property & Entertainment Dispute Resolution:

• Enforcement of trademark rights for high-end restaurants.
• Defense of photographer in the “Nirvana Baby” album cover case.
• Defense of music copyright infringement suit brought against major television network and advertiser. Emilio and his team successfully bifurcated discovery and obtained favorable deposition testimony, which led to the voluntary dismissal of all claims with prejudice.
• Defense of music rights ownership suit between the publishers of Tejano music catalogs. Emilio obtained a favorable settlement for his client after early mediation.
• Defense of music copyright infringement suit brought by a performance rights organization (PRO) and several music publishers against a restaurant group for the unlicensed public performance of PRO-affiliated songs. Emilio obtained a favorable settlement for his client shortly after answering the lawsuit.
• Successful enforcement of a top-tier fashion house’s copyright-protected dress designs and artwork.
• Defense of multiple photo copyright claims asserted against various websites and other online publishers, with early favorable settlements, releases, and/or dismissals.
• Successful representation of a production company in its breach of contract and accounting rights suit against an independent film distribution company.
• Favorable resolution of a film rights arbitration before The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA). Emilio’s litigation strategy and performance helped his film producer client confirm exclusive ownership and control of the disputed rights to a documentary film.
• Favorable pre-suit resolution of font copyright infringement claims alleged against live event company.
• Part of trial team for defense of copyright infringement claims against an internet service provider. Jackson Walker developed evidence supporting Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor defenses and counterclaims for fraud that forced a settlement below the amount previously offered by the client and prior to costly trial preparation.
• Early favorable settlement of claims against Amazon sellers alleging the sale of counterfeit goods. Jackson Walker negotiated favorable settlements early in the litigation.
• Part of appellate team in music copyright ownership dispute before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s ruling in favor of Jackson Walker’s client.

Local Counsel:

• Local counsel in successful defense of copyright infringement suit against major book publisher for the alleged unlicensed use of photographs in publications.
• Local counsel in defense of music copyright infringement suit brought by local songwriter against major performing artist, music publishers, and record labels. The case was voluntary dismissed with prejudice.
• Local counsel in defense of trademark infringement and counterfeit claims against major book publisher alleging unauthorized use of book title and other associated marks. The case was voluntary dismissed with prejudice.

Other Dispute Resolution Matters:

• Part of the trial and appellate team for a Lehman Brothers bankruptcy adversary proceeding. Lehman Brothers sought to claw back roughly $1 billion in payments made to the 250 noteholders of certain synthetic collateralized debt obligations (CDO).  Emilio was part of the noteholder defense group’s thought leadership; and the defense group obtained a complete Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of all claims from the Bankruptcy Court for the S.D.N.Y.  Both the S.D.N.Y. and the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of all claims.
• Part of the trial team for a dispute over the boundaries and ownership of a tract of lakefront property. Jackson Walker’s client was awarded ownership and a declaration of rights to the real estate, as well as attorneys’ fees.
• Part of the trial team in a highly litigious adversary proceeding before the Bankruptcy Court for the W.D. Tex. Representing the debtor, a nonprofit children’s hospital, Emilio’s ability to obtain favorable deposition and hearing testimony and to discredit the other side’s allegations was instrumental to the Bankruptcy Court’s confirmation of a plan of reorganization approximately seven months after the Chapter 11 filing, with the plan including payment in full of the general unsecured creditors.
• Successful enforcement of state law claims on behalf of a major telecommunications service provider against various entities for negligently cutting subsurface telephone and data lines during construction efforts.
• Favorable resolution of post-closing, pre-litigation dispute over the scope of confidential and proprietary data sold pursuant to an energy facility acquisition agreement.

Representative Transactional Matters

Intellectual Property Transactions:

• Copyright, trademark, and right of publicity registration and maintenance work.
• Advise clients on IP rights management and monetization issues.
• Review, prepare, and negotiate various IP rights agreements, including:
  • IP asset purchase agreements, transfers, and assignments;
  • copyright license agreements;
  • trademark license agreements, co-existence agreements, and consent to use agreements; and
  • non-disclosure agreements.
• Due diligence for IP rights issues in M&A deals.
• Assist websites and conduit ISPs with DMCA compliance matters.
• IP and media rights issues training for marketing and in-house legal departments.

Entertainment and Media Rights Transactions:

• Pre-publication review and rights clearance work.
• With the help of Jackson Walker’s Corporate & Securities group, assist financiers in their due diligence and review of film investment and film finance deals.
• Review, prepare, and negotiate:
  • media releases, including personal releases and location releases; and
  • license agreements for music, video clips, photographs, artwork, and other content

Information and Technology Transactions:

• Working with Jackson Walker’s Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Privacy group, assist clients with the development of e-commerce and data privacy related strategies and solutions for their products and businesses.

• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2021-2026
  • Lawyer of the Year – Austin, Copyright Law, 2024
  • Copyright Law, 2021-2026
  • Entertainment Law – Music, 2023-2026
  • Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2023-2026
  • Trademark Law, 2023-2026
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2026
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers, 2025-2026
• “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Intellectual Property Rights, Austin Monthly, 2021-2025
• “Texas Rising Star,” Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2012-2016

Publications

• View Emilio’s articles published on the Jackson Walker website »
• “‘Let My People Go…to Delaware’ – Paupers, Vagabonds and Fugitives from Justice Excepted,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal (March 2013)
• “Online Copyright Infringement: Minimizing Exposure to Individuals and Small Businesses That Operate on the Internet,” The Advocate 40, Vol. 45 (Winter 2008)
• “Non-Human Persons and the Right of Publicity,” Media Law Resource Center Bulletin 61, No. 4 (December 2008)
• “Keyword Search Advertising: Whose Name Is It Anyway?,” ABA Forum on Communications Law – Communications Lawyer, Vol. 25, No. 2 (2007)
• “The Perils of Keyword Search Engine Advertising,” Association of Corporate Counsel – Austin Chapter Newsletter 3, Vol. 4 (2007)
• “Why the Ninth Circuit Added Too Much To Subtract Add-on Software From the Scope of Derivative Works Under 17 U.S.C. § 106(2): A Textual Argument,” 2004, Syracuse Sci. & Tech. L. Rep. 1 (2004)

Speaking Engagements

• Minimizing Litigation Pitfalls When Negotiating Entertainment Contracts,” Texas Entertainment Law Institute Annual Meeting (September 2025)
• “An Introduction to the DMCA: What IP Practitioners Need to Know,” Dallas Bar Association (August 2023)
• “Legal Issues in Artificial Intelligence for the Entertainment Industry,” Texas Entertainment Law Institute Annual Meeting (November 2021)
• “Rights Clearance for Film,” Texas Entertainment Law Institute Annual Meeting (November 2021)
• Moderator, “The CASE Act: What You Need to Know About the New Copyright Small Claims Board,” ABA Intellectual Property Litigation Committee Roundtable (May 2021)
• “Hot Topics in Video Game Law,” Austin Bar Association Entertainment & Sports Law Section CLE (March 2015)
• “They’re Not Just for Kids: Video Games and the Future of Soft IP Law,” American Bar Association Intellectual Property Litigation in Texas: Video Games, Damages, Patents and the Supreme Court (February 2015)
• “Music and the Right of Publicity,” Austin Bar Association (December 2013)
• “Hot Topics in Video Game Law,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (June 2013)
• “NY Chapter: Game On! Video Game Clones and Killer IP,” New York Chapter of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. (March 2013)
• “What You Need to Know NOW About Video Game Law,” Copyright Society of the U.S.A. Mid-Winter Meeting (February 2013)
• “Lights! Camera! Transaction! Entertainment Law for the Everyday Practitioner,” Hays County Bar Association (April 2012)
• “How to Conduct Business in the U.S. – Legally,” UKTI Interactive Master Class (March 2012)
• “International Entertainment Litigation: The Challenges of Practicing Abroad,” Texas Review of Entertainment & Sports Law (February 2012)
• “Arbitration of Entertainment Disputes,” ABA CLE Webcast (April 2011)
• “Legal Frontiers In Social Networks, Blogs and Beyond,” SXSW (March 2011)
• “Copyright/Trademark Issues: A Primer,” Texas State Bar CLE Webcast (January 2010)
• “Your Band as a Business,” Austin Music Foundation Music Law Essentials (August 2009)
• “International Intellectual Property Rights Workshop,” Jackson Walker Austin Office (May 2009)

In the News

• “Nirvana Album Cover Defeats Child Pornography Claims,” Texas Lawyer (October 2025)
• “Smells Like Dismissal: Court Rules Album Cover Is Not Child Porn,” The Texas Lawbook (October 2025)
• “M. Night Shyamalan wins in copyright trial against Italian movie director,” Asia IP (January 27, 2025)
• “Austin lawyers with Jackson Walker win Nirvana ‘Nevermind’ album cover lawsuit,” Austin Business Journal (September 2022)
• “Judge dismisses lawsuit over Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ cover,” Austin American-Statesman (September 2022)

• Austin PBS, KLRU-TV
  • Board Member, 2022-Present
• The University of Texas School of Law
  • Adjunct Professor – Trademark Law, 2023-2024
• Texas Bar Foundation
  • Life Fellow, 2019-Present
• American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
  • Co-Chair of Copyrights Subcommittee, 2020-2022
  • Co-Chair of Regional CLE Subcommittee, 2014-2020
• Copyright Society of the USA
  • Trustee, 2015-2017
  • Texas Chapter Co-Founder, Chair and Vice-Chair, 2014-2016
  • Member, Programming Committee for 2020 Mid-Winter Meeting
• Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts
  • Board Member, 2013-2015
• State Bar of Texas Entertainment and Sports Law Section
  • Council Member, 2010-2014

More Client Results

Seven Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Leading Global Entertainment and Sports & Media Lawyers

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of the following seven partners to Lawdragon’s 2026 list of “The 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers”:

Attorney News • February 23, 2026

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2025

View Jackson Walker’s December 2025 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • December 17, 2025

Jackson Walker Congratulates 36 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America for 2026

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2026 list of the 500 leading litigators in America. This is Lawdragon’s fourth edition of its leading litigators list, recognizing some of America’s top litigation talent.

Attorney News • September 5, 2025

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.

Attorney News • August 21, 2025

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.

Speaking Engagements • August 19, 2025

‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 44 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2025

Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2025. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • July 15, 2025

Jackson Walker Shortlisted for Managing IP’s Firm of the Year Awards for Patent and Trademark Disputes

Jackson Walker is honored to be shortlisted for the 2025 Managing IP Awards in the U.S. Regional Categories, including “Firm of the Year” for Patent and Trademark Disputes in the South!

Spotlight • March 24, 2025

Seven Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers

Jackson Walker partners Chip Babcock, Marc Fuller, Bob Latham, Emilio Nicolas, Nate St. Clair, Paul Watler, and Shannon Zmud Teicher have been selected to “The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers” list. The professionals chosen for this prestigious list have demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership in their respective fields, reinforcing Jackson Walker’s reputation as a powerhouse in media, entertainment, and sports law.

Attorney News • March 10, 2025

Federal Court Sides with Plaintiff in the First Major AI Copyright Decision of 2025

By Emilio B. Nicolas

AI copyright jurisprudence is set to have a big year in 2025. On February 11, 2025, a Delaware federal court issued the first major decision concerning the use of copyrighted material to train AI. The case is Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre GMBH v. ROSS Intelligence Inc.

Insights • February 17, 2025

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”.

Mentions • January 29, 2025

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2024

View Jackson Walker’s December 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • December 16, 2024

Jackson Walker Congratulates 36 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2025 list of the 500 leading litigators in America. The third edition of this list recognizes America’s top talent in antitrust, financial and securities litigation, intellectual property, commercial litigation, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity, and white collar and investigations.

Attorney News • September 9, 2024

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2024

View Jackson Walker’s August 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • August 23, 2024

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

Attorney News • August 15, 2024

‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 21 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2024

Jackson Walker congratulates the 21 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2024. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.

Attorney News • July 11, 2024

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2023

View Jackson Walker’s December 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • December 4, 2023

Jackson Walker Congratulates 35 Attorneys Named Among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America

Jackson Walker announces the selection of 35 attorneys to Lawdragon’s 2024 list of the 500 leading litigators in America.

Attorney News • September 14, 2023

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2023

View Jackson Walker’s August 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • August 24, 2023

Emilio Nicolas and Chandler Stephens to Present on Digital Millennium Copyright Act at Dallas Bar Association August CLE

Emilio Nicolas and Chandler Stephens are scheduled to present “An Introduction to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act: What IP Practitioners Need to Know,” a Dallas Bar Association CLE program that discusses how key considerations in the DMCA address impact copyright litigation in the digital age.

Speaking Engagements • August 21, 2023

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

Attorney News • August 17, 2023

‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 12 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2023

Jackson Walker congratulates the 12 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2023. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 39 categories.

Attorney News • July 17, 2023

JW Media | VIA ePostcard – May 2023

View the May 2023 edition of the JW Media | VIA ePostcard.

Newsletters • May 3, 2023

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – April 2023

View Jackson Walker’s April 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • April 24, 2023

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – November 2022

View Jackson Walker’s November 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • November 17, 2022

Emilio Nicolas Joins Austin PBS Board

Emilio B. Nicolas has joined the board of Austin PBS (KLRU-TV), a locally owned and operated nonprofit public media station in Central Texas, and one of the most prolific PBS member stations in the country.

Attorney News • November 9, 2022

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