Sports & Entertainment

Sports:

• The National Collegiate Athletic Association has kicked off a legal battle with a trademark infringement lawsuit against DraftKings for using terms like "March Madness" to describe the basketball competition, bringing the issue of sports betting to court and signaling a more active role in intellectual property enforcement. NCAA sues DraftKings for trademark infringement - NCAA.org
• Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has sued his parents, alleging they mismanaged his finances by siphoning millions from his Major League Baseball earnings accounts to cover their own expenses. Phillies' Alec Bohm sues parents, says they took millions from him
• A New York federal court's recent decision in Flores v. NFL, declining to compel arbitration in a class action alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices, reflects courts' increasing reluctance to allow private dispute resolution for systemic discrimination claims, says Masood Ali at Segal McCambridge. The NFL & Flores: Litigation Begins While Supreme Court Readies Arbitration Review - International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, Inc
• The Pittsburgh Steelers urged a Pennsylvania federal court to dismiss a former corporate sales manager's claim for unpaid bonus compensation, arguing she has not identified any contract entitling her to additional wages under state law. Ex-Steelers employee alleges antigay, sexist discrimination in lawsuit - Yahoo Sports

Entertainment:

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Meta and Google were found negligent in a social media addiction trial in L.A., potentially setting the stage for dozens of similar lawsuits that have been brought against Big Tech companies. Jury Rules Against Meta, YouTube in Bellwether Teen Addiction Case - Business Insider Meanwhile in NM, a jury found Meta liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children; the jury ordered Meta to pay the maximum penalty under the law of $5,000 per violation, totaling $375 million in civil penalties for violating consumer protection laws. New Mexico Department of Justice Wins Landmark Verdict Against Meta - New Mexico Department of Justice Together, these lawsuits could mark a sea change for tech company liability. Social media firms lost 2 bellwether cases, but future remains unclear — Harvard Gazette

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Taylor Swift and UMG Recordings Inc. infringe a Las Vegas performer’s “Confessions of a Showgirl” trademark, according to a new lawsuit. Taylor Swift sued for alleged trademark infringement over ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ - Music Business Worldwide
• A CA jury awarded $59.25 million in damages, including $40 million in punitive damages, to an 84-year-old woman who accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1972 after taking her to one of his comedy shows. Bill Cosby found liable in 1972 sexual assault, must pay nearly $60 million in damages - CBS News
• The Grammy Award-winning U.K. electronic artist known as FKA Twigs has sued the indie-rock duo Linda and Laura Good in NY federal court, seeking a declaration that her stage name doesn't rip off the pair's decades-old '90s band "The Twigs" after the sisters recently renewed their trademark infringement litigation threats. FKA Twigs Sues Indie Band Named The Twigs Over Lawsuit Threats Meanwhile, the English musician says actor Shia LaBeouf has tried to silence her with an illegal nondisclosure agreement that was included in the settlement the former couple entered to resolve her sexual battery claims, according to a new lawsuit filed in CA state court. FKA twigs sues ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf over 'unlawful' NDA from 2020 sexual battery settlement
• Reggae legend Bob Marley’s heirs sued cannabis giant Tilray Brands Inc. over millions in payments tied to a deal licensing his name, image, and likeness. Bob Marley’s Heirs Sue Cannabis Giant Tilray Over Licensing Deal

MUSIC

• The US Supreme Court threw out a copyright-infringement verdict against Cox Communications Inc., undercutting music industry efforts to hold internet providers responsible for piracy by their customers. US Supreme Court backs Cox in fight over pirated music | Reuters
• A coalition of state attorneys general mostly concluded their antitrust case against Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary, following weeks of a trial that was nearly derailed after the DOJ dropped out, and Live Nation kicked off its defense case with a company executive who pushed back against claims of anticompetitive conduct. Live Nation begins defence in antitrust trial - TheTicketingBusiness News
• Sony Music has settled its copyright infringement suit accusing USC of infringing more than 170 of its songs to advertise the school's sports program on social media, according to an order signed off by a NY federal judge. Sony Music, USC settle copyright lawsuit over social media posts | Reuters
• An entity that owns shares of the copyright to the Bruno Mars song "When I Was Your Man" has asked a CA federal judge to let it proceed with its suit claiming the Miley Cyrus song "Flowers" was a rip-off, saying many listeners have observed similarities between the two songs. Miley Cyrus’ trouble grows over 'Flowers' lawsuit
• A royalty-free music label has rejected claims that it was well aware of a business partner's growing debts, asserting that two music promoters had breached their licensing deals to the tune of £4.1 million ($5.5 million). Royalty-Free Music Label Hits Back At Promoters In £4M Row - Law360

FILM & TELEVISION

• A CA jury has found that actor Kevin Spacey's absence from the final season of House of Cards was not due to a sex addiction sickness he was being treated for, a verdict that denies claims by the production companies behind the show that its insurers owed them around $100 million when he failed to return for the hit Netflix series' swan song. 'House of Cards' Production Company Loses Trial Over Final Season
• A production company behind the hit MTV reality show Catfish has filed suit against two media companies for trademark infringement, claiming they plan to use the “Catfish” name for a competing television series called “Catfish Murders” without permission. Catfish Picture Company, LLC v. VERSANT MEDIA, LLC et al (1:26-cv-02470), New York Southern District Court
• State attorneys general reviewing Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. will assume they are “on our own” and can’t rely on federal antitrust authorities to fairly enforce the law, Colorado AG Phil Weiser said. States ‘on our own’ in Paramount-Warner review, Colorado AG says Meanwhile, the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media LLC divided DE’s top legal tribunal as it ordered the media conglomerate to turn over deal documents to an investor. Paramount Global v. State of Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer :: 2026 :: Delaware Supreme Court Decisions :: Delaware Case Law :: Delaware Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia
• As adoption of AI in the US outpaces efforts to regulate it, organized labor is providing an important check on how the technology gets used, according to the head of the Hollywood actors’ union. Unable to stop AI, SAG-AFTRA mulls a studio tax on digital performers