In the Courts - May 2008

• U.S. Federal Court adjudicates on ASCAP licensing fees

  May 15, 2008
  After hearing extensive arguments between the American Society of Composers, Artists and Performers (“ASCAP”) on behalf of music publishers, and America Online, RealNetworks and Yahoo! (the “Applicants”) on behalf of music users, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently published its decision concerning online music licensing rates.

• New York Court Upholds Restaurant Calorie Labeling Law

  May 15, 2008
  A federal court in New York has upheld a New York City regulation requiring chain restaurants of a certain size to post caloric information on menus and menu boards.

• Wal-Mart Loses Trademark Battle Against Parodies

  May 5, 2008
  A federal court has ruled that a man’s use of terms such as “Walocaust,” and "Wal-Queda” to sell anti-Wal-Mart merchandise were parodies that did not infringe on the retail giant’s trademarks.

• Collectibles Site Sues Yahoo for Click Fraud

  May 5, 2008
  The operator of a website that sells collectible toys and memorabilia is suing Yahoo! for more than $1 million, claiming the fees the company paid to a Yahoo! affiliate for search advertising were inflated by hundreds of thousands of dollars because of click fraud.