The Legal Beat: Top Stories in Music Law This Week
The Legal Beat: Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton Face Trademark Lawsuit Over “Pocket Socks”
In this week’s edition of The Legal Beat, we dive into the latest legal battles in the music industry. Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton are facing a trademark lawsuit over their high-end line of “Pocket Socks,” which were launched at Paris Fashion Week last year. The California company Pocket Socks Inc. claims they have been using the same name for over a decade on a similar product, leading to a heated legal dispute.
Additionally, AI music startups Suno and Udio are firing back after being sued by major record labels for allegedly stealing copyrighted works to create their models. Suno and Udio have defended their technology, claiming it generates completely new outputs and does not reproduce existing content.
In another headline, DJ Diplo is facing a lawsuit from an unnamed former romantic partner who accuses him of violating “revenge porn” laws by sharing explicit videos and images without permission. The NYPD has confirmed a criminal investigation into the matter.
The Village People are moving forward with a lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the company has blackballed the disco band from performing at Disney World. Despite Disney’s arguments invoking free speech rights, a California judge has refused to dismiss the case.
In other news, attorney Mathew Rosengart, who helped Britney Spears escape her conservatorship, is no longer representing the pop star. SiriusXM is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegedly deceptive pricing practices, and Billy Ray Cyrus has filed a response in his divorce case, claiming he was abused by his soon-to-be-ex-wife.
Lastly, a group of British musicians, including King Crimson’s Robert Fripp and The Jesus and Mary Chain, have filed a joint lawsuit against U.K. collecting society PRS, alleging a lack of transparency and unreasonable licensing terms for live performance rights.
Stay tuned for more updates on these legal battles and more in the world of music law.
