Entertainment

Recently enrolled Nevada Senate Bill 266 makes sweeping changes to the tax on live entertainment in Nevada pursuant to NRS 368A. Under the newly enacted provisions, an excise tax is imposed on admission charges to facilities where live-entertainment is provided; the tax on food and beverages will now be eliminated effective October 1, 2015. The bill also eliminates most exceptions to the definition of “live entertainment,” and also clarifies some problematic exceptions relevant to the gaming and nightclub industries.Under S.B. 266, an admission charge triggers the tax. “Admission charge” is defined as the “total amount, expressed in terms of money, of consideration paid for the night or privilege to enter or have access to a facility where live entertainment is provided.” An admission charge will now include “a membership fee and a service charge, or any other fee or charge that is required to be paid in exchange for admission to a facility … [Read more...] about Nevada Senate Bill 266 Amends the Tax Imposed on Live Entertainment Pursuant to NRS Chapter 368A

On Feb. 15, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its long-awaited notice of proposed rules with respect to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Once finalized, the proposed rules will replace the current almost-universal ban on flying UAS for commercial purposes with a protocol for authorizing operations for commercial flights of small UAS weighing up to 55 pounds.The new rules place restrictions on UAS flights to ensure the continued safety of the national airspace. It limits unmanned flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations in addition to addressing height restrictions, operator certification, optional use of a visual observer, aircraft registration and marking, and operational limits.Civil UAS provide benefits to individuals and businesses because they are able to complete tasks that may be too dangerous, expensive, or time consuming when using other methods. UAS have been proven effective in the entertainment industry, and many of the FAA’s existing … [Read more...] about FAA’s New Proposed Rule Impacts Entertainment Industry

On September 30, 2011, the United States government signed an Export Trade Certificate of Review for the Latin American Multichannel Advertising Council ("LAMAC"). This certification will allow seven United States-based entertainment firms to increase the exportation of multimedia entertainment to Latin American countries and will likely pave the way for other United States-based entertainment studios to enter the market. The LAMAC's Certificate of Review was signed by Under Secretary for International Trade, Francisco Sánchez. A Certificate of Review is a legal document issued by the Department of Commerce with the concurrence of the Department of Justice pursuant to Title II of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 (15 U.S.C. § 4001-21). The certificate provides antitrust protection for the export activities specified in the certificate that is applicable to the holder and members identified in the certificate. This protection provides immunity from federal and state … [Read more...] about United States Increases Entertainment Exports to Latin American Markets

my post on the subject, I had the opportunity to speak with Colin O’Keefe of LXBNregarding Song BMG Music Entertainment v. Tenenbaum. In the brief interview, I explain the background of the case and why Tenenbaum ended up being ordered to pay such a hefty price for the songs he copied. … [Read more...] about Video Interview: Discussing Sony BMG Music Entertainment v. Tenenbaum with LXBN TV

In the latest chapter of the dispute between Mattel and MGA related to the BRATZ toys, the popular line of doe-eyed, fashion-forward dolls popular among pre-teens, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently affirmed in part and reversed in part the district court’s judgment in the 2010 jury trial, which was instituted after remand from the 9th Circuit in the parties’ original 2004 action. Mattel, Inc. v. MGA Entertainment, Inc., Case No. 11-56357 (9th Cir., Jan. 24, 2013) (Kozinski, J.).    In the new trial (ordered by a prior remand) [IP Update, Vol. 13, No. 8], the jury found that MGA did not infringe Mattel’s copyrights by producing the BRATZ dolls.  The jury also found in favor of MGA with respect to its counterclaim against Mattel for misappropriation of trade secrets.  Mattel appealed. On appeal, Mattel did not challenge the holding pertaining to copyright infringement, but instead focused on the district … [Read more...] about Mattel v. MGA Entertainment—The BRATZ Saga Continues