Digital, Social Media, OTT Players Should Play the Long Game, and Stop Unnecessarily Exploiting Content Creators

October 8, 2020

By: Steven Masur and Ilana Faibish Significant revenue is driven by artists, entertainers, and content creators who become recognizable personalities in their own right. But most of the time, these talented people do not actually own the rights to...

Epic Games vs. Apple: A Battle for Control of a New Space

September 11, 2020

By: Robert Auritt and Ilana Faibish It would be an error to view Apple’s current fight with Epic Games as a mere dust-up about commission rates or antitrust issues, though it is also surely both of those things.  This...

History of Marijuana Treatment in the United States

August 20, 2020

By: Sarah Siegel and Danika Johnson Marijuana use in the United States has been a topic of debate for decades. From being accepted to highly regulated and criminalized, marijuana use has gained significant importance and credibility in the modern...

California Opts In for Comprehensive Privacy Protections

July 28, 2020

By: Lauren Mack and Matthew Basilotto As our world becomes increasingly digital, concerns over the security and privacy of personal and other sensitive information have grown with the rapid adoption of new data collection and tracking technologies. Unlike the...

Sync Negotiations: How Much Should You Ask for Your Music?

July 15, 2020

By: Steven Masur Synchronization rights negotiations become relevant whenever someone wishes to use your or your client’s music in combination with visuals and moving images such as in movies, television shows, video games, or YouTube videos. Many lawyers write...

Smart Creatives Use Loan-Out Companies

July 8, 2020

By: Steve Masur and Danika Johnson Artists, performers, celebrities, and freelancers in the know use loan-out companies. A loan-out company is a personal LLC or corporation formed to do business on your behalf. Instead of signing agreements yourself and...

EARN IT Act & the Crusade Against Encryption

June 15, 2020

By: Jason Gershenson and Maria Samson In the midst of a global pandemic, a contentious bill attacking encryption and heightening censorship seeks congressional approval. On March 5, 2020, several US. Senators sponsored the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of...

Examining the SAFE Banking Act’s Potential Impact on the Cannabis Industry

May 31, 2020

By: Jon Avidor and Liam McKillop Last September, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019 (the “SAFE Banking Act”) garnered enough votes in the House of Representatives to pass through to the Senate. This was an important first step...

Crypto Mom’s SEC Safe Harbor Proposal for New Token Offerings

April 20, 2020

By: Steven Masur and Cameron Ashby During the 4th International Blockchain Congress in Chicago, Hester Pierce, Commissioner for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (aka, the “Crypto Mom”), announced the “Token Safe Harbor Proposal,” or the “Proposed Securities...

COVID-19 and the Force Majeure Clause

April 9, 2020

By: Steve Masur and Ilana Faibish Does COVID-19 constitute a force majeure event under my contract? The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in significant disruptions in most industries. A great many companies are struggling to meet their obligations under their...

Secretary of State Office Deadlines Update

March 24, 2020

As we navigate these challenging times, we remain focused on supporting you in the weeks and months ahead. To that end, we have been monitoring Secretary of State offices for updates on filing deadlines and requirements. Here is an...

How Private Keys Create Flexibility, Security, and Risk within Digital Exchange Platforms

March 4, 2020

By: Jason Gershenson and Armando E. Martinez As cryptocurrency exchange activity continues to grow, it becomes increasingly more important to understand how to protect these assets. Storing cryptocurrency safely is often confusing for first-time and even experienced buyers. Popular...