Jersey Boys’ Use of Ed Sullivan Show Clip Is Fair Use, Ninth Circuit Affirms

SOFA Entm’t, Inc. v. Dodger Prods., Inc.
By Erica Larson – Edited by Alex Shank

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the decision of the District Court for the Central District of California to grant summary judgment and award attorneys’ fees to Dodger Productions, Inc. (“Dodger”) in its suit against SOFA Entertainment, Inc. (“SOFA”). In an opinion by Judge Trott, the court concluded that Dodger’s unlicensed use of a clip from the Ed Sullivan Show fell squarely within the fair use exception.

Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Samantha Rothberg

Reuters Employee Indicted for Conspiring with Anonymous to Hack News Site

Federal Judge Allows FTC to Serve International Defendants via Facebook

D.C. Circuit Reinstates ACLU Lawsuit Seeking Information on CIA’s Role in Drone Strikes

Google Settles Street View Lawsuit, Acknowledges Privacy Violations

Ninth Circuit Requires Reasonable Suspicion for Forensic Laptop Searches at the Border

United States v. Cotterman
By Casey Holzapfel ­– Edited by Jessica Vosgerchian

In an en banc decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a decision of the District Court of Arizona suppressing evidence found in a laptop seized by border agents. The Ninth Circuit held that comprehensive searches of electronic devices must meet a standard of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

Supreme Court Holds State Court Has Jurisdiction over Legal Malpractice Suit in Patent Case 

Gunn v. Minton
By Laura Fishwick – Edited by Charlie Stiernberg

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the United States reversed and remanded a decision of the Supreme Court of Texas, Minton v. Gunn, 355 S.W.3d 634 (Tex. 2011), by finding that state courts can have jurisdiction over a legal malpractice claim based on an underlying patter matter.

Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Ron Gonski

Smartphone Unlockers May Soon Rejoice (Possibly)

U.K. High Court Blacklists Piracy Websites, Raises Possibility of Active Monitoring

Effect of the Supreme Court’s Decision in Clapper Already Being Felt