Case Law
The CMG legal team closely monitors developments in Intellectual Property law. In this section we have compiled a list of landmark cases that involve disputes over the use and valuations of celebrities.
Read about the cases that have shaped the industry >>
Legal Battles
Mark Roesler is recognized as the principle author of the Indiana Right of Publicity Statute, which is regarded as the most progressive and comprehensive in the world.
Read about more legal battles >>
Famous Domain Names
Sometimes, a Web address just isn't what it should be. That's why Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Madonna had to fight for their site.
More >>
Right of Publicity
The phrase "right of publicity" was coined by Judge Jerome Frank in Haelean Laboratories, Inc. v. Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. 202 F.2d 866 (2nd Cir. 1953). Following New York law, Judge Frank delineated the distinction between the "right of publicity" and the "right of privacy." New York's publicity law enabled individuals to protect themselves from unauthorized commercial appropriation of their personas. Judge Frank thereby recognized an independent common law right protecting economic interests rather than the personal, emotional interests associated with the right of privacy.
Learn more about the right of publicity >>
State Statutes
Read the rights of publicity for your state.
Damages
Many cases have been decided that establish various parameters for the value of one's right of publicity. This section has a list of cases establishing the range of values that a celebrity's involvement in a commercial setting have yielded through litigation during the past two decades.
Read about the cases and the damages awarded >>
Copyright
Copyright is an integral component to any intellectual property program or portfolio of assets.
Read about copyright and your interests.
Trademark
Trademarks are perhaps most commonly thought of in the context of corporate brand names.