Privacy, Publicity + Defamation Experience
- Netflix, the world's leading internet entertainment service, in connection with the successful defense against a defamation and trademark dilution lawsuit related to the film “The Laundromat,” in which the members of the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca claim that they are being portrayed as criminals in connection with the “Panama Papers” scandal and that their registered logo is being tarnished and diluted. The request to stop the film’s release was denied in federal court in Connecticut on jurisdictional grounds, where we obtained the dismissal of the case.
- TMZ Productions, Inc. in securing a dismissal of a lawsuit claiming it committed libel by reporting on a woman’s alleged involvement in an underground drug and prostitution ring, where the charges were eventually cleared.
- Fox Reality Channel, Lions Gate Entertainment (d/b/a Lionsgate), and Termite Art Productions in summary judgment dismissing defamation claims against Termite on statute of limitations grounds involving a reality television program, “Busted On The Job.”
- Russell Simmons, an entrepreneur, record producer, and author, in obtaining the dismissal of a defamation suit brought by Soul Circus.
- Don Buchwald & Associates and one of its agents in the second lawsuit brought by Hulk Hogan based on Gawker’s 2012 release of video footage of Hogan’s extra-marital affair with his ex-best friend’s then-wife.
- Donald Penny, Michael Weiss, and Robert Bryan in filing counterclaims against Bert Stern alleging breach of contract, conversion, and defamation and seeking damages in excess of $4.5 million over the transparencies of Marilyn Monroe taken during the famed “Last Sitting.”
- Lee Daniels, award-winning director and filmmaker of productions such as “Precious,” “Monster’s Ball,” “The Butler,” and “Empire,” in a defamation action brought by Sean Penn.
- Univision Communications, Inc., the leading Hispanic media company in the U.S., in connection with a defamation action brought by a failed congressional candidate.
- Pitbull, Ne-Yo, and Afrojack, award-winning music artists, in the dismissal of a right of publicity and defamation action brought by Lindsay Lohan in connection with the hit song “Give Me Everything.”
- Sergio George, American/Puerto Rican pianist, arranger, and record producer, in securing the dismissal of a defamation claim brought by recording artist Prince Royce.
- Gerald Celente, a world-renowned trends forecaster, in obtaining preliminary and permanent injunctions in a highly publicized case that stopped defendants Google, Inc. and David Chekroun from operating more than 100 blogs that defamed Mr. Celente, infringed the CELENTE trademark and Mr. Celente’s right of publicity.
- A New York technology entrepreneur, in obtaining the dismissal of defamation, right of publicity, trademark, and other claims by arguing that the defendant’s internet activity did not give rise to personal jurisdiction in a California court.
- Beyoncé Knowles, Parkwood Entertainment, LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Columbia Records, Shawn Carter, and Jerome Harmon, in obtaining the dismissal of a right of publicity claim alleging that a Hungarian singer’s voice was misappropriated in Beyoncé’s hit single “Drunk in Love.”
