Gregory Gabriel focuses primarily on music, entertainment, and intellectual property litigation with extensive experience in copyright, trademark, right of publicity issues and contract issues. His intimate understanding of the law in this area has resulted in efficient victories for our clients. Mr. Gabriel recently assisted in the defense of Sanctuary Records against a multitude of claims by Mike Love from the Beach Boys in two separate lawsuits. Mr. Love’s complaints included claims for conspiracy, right of publicity violations, as well as trademark and copyright infringement among other things. Mr. Gabriel helped obtain a dismissal of every one Mr. Love’s claims by motion, which resulted in a published opinion: Mike Love v. The Mail on Sunday, 473 F.Supp.2d 1052 (C.D.Cal. 2007). In addition, Mr. Gabriel helped obtain an attorneys’ fee award in favor of Sanctuary in both cases.
Mr. Gabriel also assisted in the defense of Zobmondo!! Entertainment against claims of trademark infringement. In that case, the Court cancelled plaintiff’s trademark registration and dismissed the trademark claims against Zobmondo on a motion for summary judgment. In addition, Mr. Gabriel recently defeated a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to prevent a young up-and-coming musician from providing his services to another record label. Mr. Gabriel is currently part of the team representing renowned singer/songwriter Jackson Browne in a suit against former Republican candidate for President John McCain, and the Republican National Committee, and is also representing Spartan Home Entertainment in a lawsuit regarding the merchandising rights to the movie The Boondock Saints.
Mr. Gabriel also has substantial experience in the commercial litigation arena successfully defending a franchisor against multiple claims by disgruntled franchisees. Mr. Gabriel was also part of the team that defended StubHub against interference claims by its rival Ticketmaster. In addition, Mr. Gabriel represented a small post production studio in a case against the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan relating to health and pension benefits for its employees. Mr. Gabriel is currently part of a team representing several investors alleging breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims against a large national bank.
Mr. Gabriel is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.B.A 1994) and The University of California, Davis School of Law (J.D. 2005) receiving the School of Law Medal recognizing the highest academic achievement in his graduating class.