Entertainment Litigation Blog

Writers on both coasts officially ratified the WGA's new pact with the major studios. The agreement, accepted by the WGA's ruling board over two weeks ago on February 10, provides writers with concessions on issues that fueled their strike. These concessions include provisions governing writing for "new media" and a compensation structure for content re-used in new media. The three year deal runs through 2011. The writers ratified this new deal with over 90% in favor of the new agreement.

With the writers' new deal, the focus now shifts to the Screen Actors Guild, whose contract with the studios is set to expire on June 30. Talks between the actors and the studios are set to begin shortly.

TELEVISION JUDGE LOSES BID TO HAVE CASE AGAINST MANAGER DECIDED BY THE CALIFORNIA LABOR COMMISSIONER

Alex Ferrer, a former Florida judge now known as Fox's "Judge Alex" on television, entered into a contract with Arnold Preston, a lawyer who provides "services" to people in the entertainment industry. The dispute between centered on the nature of those "services" -- with Preston claiming that he was Ferrer's personal manager and Ferrer claiming that Preston acted illegally as an unlicensed talent agent.

Pursuant to an arbitration clause in their contract, in 2005, Preston demanded arbitration on his claim that Ferrer failed to pay for his services. Ferrer countered with a petition to the California Labor Commissioner, claiming that the contract was void under the Talent Agencies Act because Preston acted illegally as an unlicensed talent agent.

And so began three years of litigation before the Labor Commissioner and the courts, culminating in the US Supreme Court's decision yesterday.

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