July 1, 2010

GaGa Over Tour Merchandise

Lady GaGa's merchandising company brings "Doe" trademark suit asking court to authorize the US Marshal to seize and impound counterfeit merchandise.

The Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc. v. John Does 1-100, 10-cv-04943 (S.D.N.Y. filed June 25, 2010)

June 29, 2010

Ringtone Royalty Rate Approved By DC Circuit

RIAA v. Librarian of Congress, No. 09-1075 (D.C. Cir. decided June 22, 2010).

Rebuking a challenge by the Recording Industry Association of America, the DC District Court upheld a decision by the Copyright Royalty Board setting the ringtone "penny-rate" royalty rate at $0.24. The court also upheld a new late fee, 1.5%, for overdue royalty payments.

The Board's decision was "reasonable and reasonably explained."