Entertainment Litigation
Jackson Walkerâs 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 clientsâ rights â from minor disputes to precedent-setting cases.
With a strong understanding of the entertainment industryâs 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
April 11, 2024
Insights
Texas Appellate Court Rejects LLC Plaintiff’s Bid for Statewide Venue in Defamation Case | Media Law Resource Center
In this article published by the Media Law Resource Center, Marc Fuller provides an in-depth analysis of a recent decision by the Texas Court of Appeals that clarifies the state’s venue statute for libel and slander claims. The court rejected a broad interpretation that would have allowed limited liability companies, partnerships, and other business entities to file lawsuits in virtually any jurisdiction within the state. Fuller’s insights underscore the significance of this ruling in shaping the legal landscape for defamation cases in Texas.
February 5, 2024
Mentions
Paul Watler Featured in âThe Texas Lawbookâ Discussing the Fifth Circuit Decision on Journalist’s First Amendment Lawsuit
Jackson Walker partner Paul C. Watler shared insight with The Texas Lawbook on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s 9-7 decision that law enforcement officers in Laredo, Texas, who arrested citizen-journalist Priscilla Villarreal in 2017, cannot be sued for violating her First Amendment rights.
October 13, 2023
Mentions
Paul Watler Featured in ‘ABA Journal’ Discussing Rise of Costly Libel Cases
As Gannett Co., the parent company of leading national newspaper USA Today, faces off against tax services provider Ryan LLC in a defamation and fraud lawsuit, Paul Watler shared insight with the ABA Journal on the increase of libel cases and the changing legal landscape.
August 16, 2023
Insights
With Police Actions Recently Targeting Journalists, Will Courts Protect the Rights of the Free Press? | The Texas Lawbook
“In an era when common understandings of the U.S. Constitution are questioned more than ever, the Marion and Laredo cases show â as never before â the vital importance of federal courts in protecting fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment,” Paul Watler wrote in this article contributed to The Texas Lawbook.
July 26, 2023
Newsletters
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â July 2023
View the July 2023 edition of the JW Media | VIA ePostcard.
July 26, 2023
Insights
Texas Journalists and Open Government Advocates Won on Both Sides of the Ball in the 2023 Legislative Session
In his work for the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Stacy Allen had a ringside seat for some pitched battles to save landmark statutes protecting public access to government records and free speech against encroachment by bills that would chip away at Texansâ right to know and speak their minds about matters of public concern. This article walks through significant victories that were won in defending against bad legislation.
July 12, 2023
Speaking Engagements
Chip Babcock Presents on Ethical Restrictions for Pre-Trial Publicity
Chip Babcock will join the Texas General Counsel Forum on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, for a virtual ethics CLE program discussing the ethical restrictions on lawyers who attempt to generate publicity prior to trial, as well as strategies for developing and executing an effective pre-trial media plan.
