HHR New Media, Entertainment and Technology Group

In a decision that shocked some in Hollywood, a California district court recently held that a popular video game did not infringe on the copyrights of a previously-released motion picture, even though, at first glance, the game and film contained strikingly similar characters, themes, and plot lines.  With video games becoming more “cinematic” in their stories and themes and the industry now established as a substantial source of revenue, this decision highlights the difficulty that film copyright holders may have in asserting ownership rights in video game elements and preventing others from profiting on their protected works without permission. Continue Reading »

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• As online, targeted advertising becomes more and more common, the question of balancing privacy concerns and commercial demands is becoming increasingly more complex.  While website privacy policies can disclose how information provided to the site’s publisher may be used, they can’t explain how and why you are being shown a specific advertisement when you visit the site.  Joseph Turow, a marketing professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, has developed an approach to provide consumers with more information and control over how they view ads.  Mr. Turow’s plan:  place an icon on Continue Reading »

A piece posted today at AmLaw Daily highlighted Hughes Hubbard’s role in several, recent, high-profile media deals–as well as its extensive capabilities in the space.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed announced today that Clark Siegel, formerly co-chair of the Intellectual Property Group and a member of the Entertainment Department at Irell & Manella, has joined Hughes Hubbard’s Los Angeles office as a partner. Mr. Siegel’s practice involves traditional entertainment and media, including film, television and video game development, production, distribution and finance, as well the convergence of technology and entertainment and the delivery and exploitation of content through new media, platforms and technology. Continue Reading »

The patent reform movement is gearing up again in Congress.  The Patent Reform Act of 2009 (click here for the text of the bill introduced in the Senate) may have a better chance to pass this time around not only because of the provisions that are included in this bill, but also because of the provisions removed from prior versions.  Whether passage is a good idea is another question. Continue Reading »