Jon Rich Celebrity Knockout!

Former “Nashville Star” contestant Jared Ashley sues Jon Rich for allegedly being a meanie to him.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990602088

Here’s a copy of the complaint–take out your reading glasses and get ready to sit for a spell because it’s 79 pages long!

Ashley Complaint

Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 8.05(1) states that “Each averment in a pleading shall be simple, concise, and direct.”   You tell me….

Worth the visit.

Take a moment and visit www.thesessionplayers.com.    It features video and interviews with Nashville session musicians.  I definitely give it two snaps and a circle!

Who,what,when,where,why

A sad commentary on the state of pop-culture journalism.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Irish-student-hoaxes-worlds-apf-15201451.html?.v=1

What’s fair is fair.

One of the most common questions I receive from clients is what constitutes “fair use” under copyright law.  They are  surprised to hear that it is a flexible concept which requires weighing several factors.   And…for the record…the fact that you ain’t makin no money on it isn’t a get out of jail free card.

The case below has a nice explanation (and application) of those factors relating to the online term-paper plagiarism detector, Turnitin.com.  The legal discussion starts on page 7.

Turnitin

Big Macs and YouTube don’t mix!

Don’t you dare post a video on YouTube displaying the Golden Arches.  The Google Nazis will deep-fry you before you can say “Supersize Me.”

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/digital/e3i0a002ff178167cdfcbab2b4b0189467a?imw=Y

Not scientific….

Proud Papa

My daughter (Brianna Hugan) did her first pro session at Oceanway in Nashville on Sunday. She’ll begin 9th grade at Nashville School of the Arts next fall.  Papa is proud!  Here’s a pic in Oceanway’s Control Room A:

Steppin’ Out!

I have been invited to sit on a panel at Kirsti Manna’s Songwriter Girl camp in Nashville on May 16th, 2009.  Kirsti is a great songwriter whose songs have been cut by Blake Shelton, Big and Rich, and others.

Here’s a link if you want more info about Kirsti’s camp: http://www.songwritergirl.com/

I’m back!

I’ve been a bad blog dog, and I don’t deserve a biscuit. 

But, spring is here and it’s time to spend more hours in front of my PC!  Stay tuned…..

Defamation can be a dirty word.

You probably know that safe harbor provisions of the DCMA offer ISP’s a layer of protection from lawsuits resulting from their subscriber’s infringing conduct.

However, did you know that website operators have almost absolute immunity from defamation claims (arising from third-party posts), even if the operator knows the posted information is defamatory?

Section 230 of the Communciations Decency Act offers this protection.  Dang!  Not good for persons being defamed.

Here is a recent case applying this law.  An application for appeal to the US Supreme Court is pending.

Jane Doe v. MySpace

Ever wonder why people hate politicians?

Read this article about a Nebraska legislator who has nothing better to do than file stupid lawsuits:

stupidity incarnate

Off topic.

I enjoyed watching Travis Henry run over people when he played for the Titans.  That’s a far cry from being tackled by the police while carrying a duffle bag of dope.

Read the affidavit of the DEA agent:DEA Affidavit

A blast from the past!

I have always admired Robben Ford and had the opportunity to learn from him when I attended Guitar Institute of Technology in the 80′s.

Here’s Robben with the Yellowjackets in 1979.

You’ve been served…..

Click below to see what happens when you (allegedly) spend a lot of time on Limewire.

p2p

Infringement is Everywhere?

A Texas songwriter filed suit claiming Tim McGraw’s song “Everywhere” infringes on one of his compositions.  The lawsuit was originally filed in Texas but was transferred to the U.S. District Court in Nashville.

Plaintiff must prove that Defendants had “access” to his prior composition.  The complaint is vague on this issue and also implies that Terri Clark recording(s) also infringe on his work.

I think Plaintiff may have some problems with the applicable Statute of Limitations.  Also, Plaintiff will have to establish how Defendants had access to his work–vague allegations won’t cut it unless the songs are strikingly similar. 

Jay Bowen and Tim Warnock represent all defendants.  Here’s copy of the complaint: mcgraw