Sammataro Named One of Daily Business Review's Most Effective Lawyers
James Sammataro, partner and co-chair of the Media + Entertainment Group, has been recognized as one of the Daily Business Review's 16th Annual Most Effective Lawyers. Citing the critical 'Despacito' win, the publication recognizes attorneys that have "found ways to make noteworthy achievements before and after the coronavirus overhang."
The significance of the case according to the Daily Business Review is detailed below:
The 2017 hit song “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee was the first Spanish-language song to top the U.S. charts since 1996 and became the most-watched YouTube video with over 7 billion views.
But with the song’s phenomenal success came a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Newton Canga Cortes. Representing himself, he claimed a strong resemblance to his 2006 song with the same title.
[...]
Sammataro, co-chair of Pryor Cashman’s media and entertainment group, represented Universal Music Group and Fonsi.
Sammataro said the dismissal motion arguing no protectable expression was infringed could serve as a blueprint for how artists and their labels can secure quick dismissal and avoid nuisance-value settlements.
[...]
Sammataro:We were able to persuade the court to look beyond the four corners of the complaint and compare the lyrics of the two dissimilar “Despacitos” at the dismissal stage.
