Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Can a car be a copyrightable character? In Carroll Shelby Licensing v. Halicki, the Ninth Circuit said no — ruling that “Eleanor,” the iconic Mustang from ‘Gone in 60 Seconds,’ lacks the distinctiveness and consistency required for copyright protection.
In this episode of The Briefing, Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley break down the history of the Eleanor litigation, review the district court and Ninth Circuit rulings, and explain what it actually takes for a character to qualify for copyright protection.
Watch this episode on the Weintraub YouTube channel.
Continue reading The Ninth Circuit Puts the Brakes on Eleanor’s Copyright Claim
If your company relies on online reviews, influencer partnerships, or digital marketing strategies, it’s important to be aware of FTC Rules and the distinctions between real reviews and paid ads. 
Warner Music Group just sued DSW for using 200+ hit songs in social media ads—without permission. Those TikToks could now cost $30M. On this episode of The Briefing, entertainment and IP attorneys 
A class action lawsuit has been filed against ALO Yoga and several influencers for failing to disclose that various social media campaigns were actually paid ads. Weintraub attorneys 
Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” tour has sparked legal trouble. In this episode of The Briefing, 
Is traditional Hollywood facing an existential crisis? Deloitte’s 2025 Digital Media Trends report reveals a massive shift in how Gen Z and millennials consume content. 
Can HBO be sued over a T-shirt? 
Is ‘The Pit’ a spinoff, sequel, or something else entirely? 
The estate of ‘ER’ creator Michael Crichton is suing Warner Brothers, claiming their new medical drama ‘The Pit’ is a derivative of ‘ER.’ IP and Entertainment attorneys 
In this installment of The Briefing,