Home|Our Firm|Practice Areas|Our People|News|Recruitment|Blog|Contact

Practice Areas

 

Entertainment

Intellectual Property

Entertainment IP

Commercial and Employment

Criminal

• KWIKA obtained summary judgment in favor of defendants Mark Burnett, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Sylvester Stallone and Jeff Wald on claims for inducing breach of contract and intentional interference with prospective economic relations brought by Sugar Ray Leonard’s former business partner arising out of the reality television series “The Contender.”  BJORN REBNEY v. JEFFREY KATZENBERG, SYLVESTER STALLONE, MARK BURNETT, JEFFREY WALD and Does 1 through 50, LASC Case No. BC315431
  
  
• KWIKA represented business management firm Loring Ward, Inc. and its parent company Loring Ward International, Ltd. against claims of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligence and breach of contract premised on company’s alleged wrongdoing in connection with former client Christine Wolf’s divorce from her ex-husband Dick Wolf, the creator of the “Law & Order” television series.  Ms. Wolf alleged that defendants misrepresented and/or were negligent in their investigation of the value of the “Law & Order” series at the time of the Wolfs’ divorce.  KWIKA obtained dismissal of the claims against the parent company based on lack of personal jurisdiction.  After litigation of the claims against Loring Ward, Inc., the Court dismissed the action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.  CHRISTINE WOLF v. LORING WARD, INC., et al., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 05-3535 PSG (RZx)
  
  
• KWIKA recently represented Yahoo, Inc. in resolving claims asserted by a technology company that had been acquired by Yahoo to provide development of one of Yahoo's entertainment features.
  
  
• KWIKA represented Univision Music Group in successfully defending against an injunction proceeding in the United States District Court in Puerto Rico brought by a reggaeton artist who claimed he did not consent to the distribution of his record album.  JOSÉ L. SALA-PÉREZ v. JORGE GUADALUPE, et al., USDC, District of Puerto Rico, Case No. 06-1290 (CCC-GAG)
  
  
• KWIKA defended Sugar Ray Leonard in a jury trial against claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty brought by his former business partner relating to the closing of their boxing promotion business.  The matter settled after Howard Weitzman’s cross-examination of a key witness for Plaintiff, just prior to Plaintiff taking the stand.  BJORN REBNEY v. RAY LEONARD, A/K/A SUGAR RAY LEONARD, LASC Case No. SC081699
  
  
• KWIKA successfully represented the estate of famed “funk” recording artist Rick James in a lawsuit to recover significant amounts of unpaid publishing revenue that were being wrongfully withheld.  RONALD A. KRAMER, as Trustee of the JAMES AMBROSE JOHNSON, JR. 1999 TRUST et al. v.  BROOKLYN MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP, INC., et al., LASC Case No. 367814
  
  
• KWIKA represented the William Morris Agency in a dispute with ICM regarding entitlement to commissions on director Guillermo del Toro’s film “Hellboy 2.”  The case was settled at mediation.
   
• KWIKA represented Amanda Demme in a number of cases concerning the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Tropicana Bar and Teddy’s Bar in the midst of its heydey as a Hollywood hot spot.  
  
  
• KWIKA represented Courtney Love in negotiations with Universal Pictures to make a film based on her and Kurt Cobain’s life stories.
   
• KWIKA represents Plaintiffs in a pending “profit participation” case against the distributors of the highly acclaimed and successful movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”  Plaintiffs are the movie’s producers (Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman) and the star and writer of the movie (Nia Vardalos): CLAVIUS BASE, INC., et al v. BIG WEDDING PRODUCTIONS, INC., et al., LASC Court Case No. BC 375442.
  
  
• KWIKA represents actor/comedian Jimmy Kimmel and his company Jackhole Productions as defendants in a pending action brought by the star of the cult movie classic, “Windy City Heat.”  The suit seeks an accounting and profits from the film, as well as damages from an alleged publicity stunt performed on a radio show to promote the movie.  PERRY CARAVELLO, an individual v. JIMMY KIMMEL, et al., LASC Case No. BC 372039.
  
  
• KWIKA represents as defendants in a pending action, the writer/director (Deborah Kampmeier) and the producers (The Motion Picture Group) of the Sundance-award winning movie “Hounddog,” which has provoked national controversy because of a rape scene involving the young actress Dakota Fanning.  Plaintiffs claim they have contractual rights to distribute the movie.  HAND PICKED FILMS, LLC, et al. v. THE MOTION PICTURE GROUP, et al., LASC Case No. BC 375195.
  
  
• KWIKA represents a songwriter/producer/musician in a pending suit against pop singer Rickie Lee Jones alleging that Jones breached the producer’s agreement, failed to provide compensation, and failed to accord credit for the songwriting, performing and producing services.  BERNIE LARSEN v. RICKIE LEE JONES, et al. LASC Case No. BC380960
  
  
• KWIKA represents talent agency Paradigm in an arbitration brought by an ex-agent who was terminated by Paradigm for cause.  The arbitration is currently pending before JAMS.
   
• KWIKA represents reality television stars, Kim and Khloe Kardashian in a lawsuit brought by Sonja Norwood, singer Brandi’s mother.  NORWOOD v. KARDASHIAN, et al., LASC Case No. BC 384786
  
  
• KWIKA represented the entertainment law firm of Jackoway Tyerman as third-parties in connection with the profit participation and vertical integration action brought by the firm’s clients Kohan and Mutchnick, who were the creators of the successful television series “Will & Grace.”  Defendant NBC in discovery and at trial sought to obtain confidential information concerning the law firm’s representation of other successful television shows to support NBC’s cross-complaint alleging that the law firm did not negotiate in good faith on behalf of Kohn and Mutchnick.  DAVID KOHAN, et al. v. NBC STUDIOS, INC., et al.; LASC Case No.  BC 307563

• KWIKA is IP litigation counsel for Roland Corporation, one of the world’s leading electronic musical instrument manufacturers.  KWIKA has represented Roland in numerous matters involving the protection of Roland’s copyrights in the sound recordings contained in its musical instruments, the enforcement of Roland’s trademark and trade dress (including the famous trade dress of Roland’s renowned line of BOSS guitar effects pedals), and in a number of patent infringement actions throughout the country.  Recently, in a case that was pending in the patent “rocket docket” of the Eastern District of Texas, KWIKA was able to secure a rare victory on a motion to transfer for inconvenient venue.  INTERACTIVE MUSIC TECH. LLC v. ROLAND CORP. U.S., 2008 WL 245142 (E.D. Tex. 2008).  This victory was particularly notable given that the Eastern District has been well-known in recent years for almost never transferring patent cases.  KWIKA continues to represent Roland in this matter in the Central District of California, where the patentee alleges that Roland keyboards with integrated LCD screens infringe a patent it purportedly holds on such technology.  INTERACTIVE MUSIC TECH., LLC v. ROLAND CORP. U.S., et al., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV08-1678 PSG (VBKx)  KWIKA also represents Roland in the Central District of California defending claims that Roland’s Rhythm Coach line of drum practice pads are infringing a patent for cadence-providing drum practice technology.  EDUCATIONAL MUSIC ACCESSORIES COMPANY, LLC v. ROLAND CORPORATION U.S., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. SACV09-1359 AG (MLGx).  KWIKA also represents Roland’s affiliate, Roland DGA Corporation, the world’s leader in integrated printer/cutters for sign-making in the durable graphics market in patent litigation in the District of Connecticut.  In that case, Gerber Scientific accuses Roland of infringing a patent it purportedly holds on print/cut technology for sign-making.  GERBER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, INC. v. ROLAND DGA CORPORATION, USDC, District of Connecticut, Case No. 3:06-cv-02024-CFD.
  
  
• KWIKA represents Zobmondo!! Entertainment, LLC, a well-known producer of board games, card games, and books derived from the concept of “Would you rather . . . ?” questions in a trademark, trade dress, and copyright infringement matter pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against a competitor who sells “Would you rather . . . ?” books and games.  ZOBMONDO ENTERTAINMENT LLC v. FALLS MEDIA, LLC, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV06-3469 ABC (JTLx) consolidated with CV07-0571 ABC (JTLx).
  
  
• KWIKA successfully represented artist Thomas Kinkade in an arbitration involving copyright and breach of contract issues.
   
• KWIKA represents Mattel, Inc. in an action brought by Universal Music Group (UMG) before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).  Mattel manufactured and sold a line of Hot Wheels cars called “Motown Metal” – classic muscle cars from the “Big 3” Detroit auto makers.  Mattel applied to trademark “Motown Metal,” and UMG opposed the application, arguing that “Motown Metal” was too similar to its own “Motown” trademark.  The matter is currently pending before the TTAB.UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP v. MATTEL, INC., TTAB Opposition No.: 91176791

• For the past several years, KWIKA represented Greg Garrison (until his death in March 2005), and then the Executor and Trustee of Mr. Garrison’s Estate and Trust (Ronald L. Blanc, Esq.).  Mr. Garrison was the director and producer of the legendary “Dean Martin Variety Shows” in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Mr. Garrison acquired the rights to certain of those television shows, which he then edited into a highly successful series of DVDs and VHS tapes sold by Guthy-Renker Corporation.  As part of that representation, KWIKA has handled the following matters.
  
  

• In 2007, NBC Universal filed the following copyright infringement action against the Executor/Trustee (whom KWIKA represented) and others, alleging that Mr. Garrison infringed upon its copyrights in creating the Guthy-Renker series.  The action has now been resolved.  (NBC UNIVERSAL, INC.  v. GUTHY-RENKER CORPORATION; GREG GARRISON PRODUCTIONS, INC.; RONALD L. BLANC as Trustee on behalf of the GREG GARRISON REVOCABLE TRUST; BLACK HORSE TELEVISION ENTERPRISES, LLC; BARRUMP-BUMP PUBLISHING CO., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 07-05043 R (RZx).)
  
  
• In 2007, several musical composers filed the following copyright infringement action against the Executor/Trustee (whom KWIKA represented) and others, alleging that Mr. Garrison infringed upon their copyrights in creating the Guthy-Renker series.  The action has now been resolved.  (VAN ALEXANDER; LEE HALE; GEOFF CLARKSON; JAMES HILL v. GUTHY-RENKER CORPORATION; GREG GARRISON PRODUCTIONS, INC.; BARRUMP-BUMP PUBLISHING; MICHAEL GARRISON; RONALD L. BLANC as Trustee of the GREG GARRISON TRUST, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 07-06026 VBF (SHx).)

• KWIKA represented Sean Combs against the Los Angeles Times regarding a false story related to allegations about Combs and Tupac Shakur, which resulted in an unprecedented apology and retraction by the Los Angeles Times.
   
• KWIKA represented Paris Hilton in a federal action to shut down the website “ParisExposed.com.”  The website was created to showcase numerous personal articles, including photos, videos, and medical records, that belonged to Ms. Hilton and that were obtained from a public storage unit leased by her. KWIKA obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction based upon claims for invasion of privacy and copyright infringement.  PARIS HILTON v. GREEN BROTHERS LIMITED, BARDIA PERSA, REZA KARAMOOZ, STEPHEN THOMAS, KEVIN GREEN, CHAZZ HOFFMAN, NABILA HANISS, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV07-00667 GW (MANx)
   

• KWIKA obtained summary judgment in favor of Sanctuary Records, Ltd. in an action brought by Beach Boy Mike Love for copyright infringement, trademark infringement, Lanham Act violations, and unfair business practices stemming from a promotional CD with Brian Wilson containing recordings of Beach Boys songs that accompanied a London newspaper.  MIKE LOVE v. THE MAIL ON SUNDAY, et al., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV05-7798 ABC (PJWx)
   

• KWIKA obtained the dismissal of an idea theft and copyright lawsuit regarding the motion picture “Broken Flowers” filed against the writer/director Jim Jarmusch, Universal Studios, Focus Features, and producer Glenn Rigberg.  REED MARTIN v. VIVENDI UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, FOCUS FEATURES, LLC, JAMES JARMUSCH, GLENN RIGBERG, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV96-1684 RSWL (JWJx).
   

• KWIKA represents Starz as plaintiff in an action against Disney distributor Buena Vista Television ("BVT") concerning electronic distribution rights on the Internet.  Starz provides premium entertainment programming to cable and satellite systems through its movie channels, and also provides its customers with Internet access to feature films.  In order to do so, Starz enters into long-term license agreements or “output agreements” with studios that produce and/or distribute motion pictures, including Defendant BVT.  Notwithstanding the clear restrictions placed on BVT’s Internet rights during Starz’s exclusive license periods, BVT is selling for transmission over the Internet via services like Apple’s iTunes the very same Disney Pictures licensed to Starz. In its Complaint filed in March 2007, Starz alleges that BVT’s actions materially breach the parties’ License Agreements and infringe Starz’s exclusive copyrights in the Pictures. STARZ ENTERTAINMENT, LLC v. BUENA VISTA TELEVISION, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 07-01895 VBF (PJWx).
   

• KWIKA represents Mattel, Inc. in two idea submission cases asserted against Mattel’s very successful Barbie: Fairytopia DVDs and related line of products.  The first case asserted by a plaintiff in Texas has been resolved.  KENNETH S. McARDLE v. MATTEL, INC., USDC, Eastern District of Texas, Civil Action No.: 1:06-CV-103-TH-ESH.  The second case is currently pending in the Los Angeles Superior Court.  GUNTHER-WAHL PRODUCTIONS, INC. v. MATTEL, LASC Case No. BC 269746.
   

• For the past several years, KWIKA represented Greg Garrison (until his death in March 2005), and then the Executor and Trustee of Mr. Garrison’s Estate and Trust (Ronald L. Blanc, Esq.).  Mr. Garrison was the director and producer of the legendary “Dean Martin Variety Shows” in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Mr. Garrison acquired the rights to certain of those television shows, which he then edited into a highly successful series of DVDs and VHS tapes sold by Guthy-Renker Corporation.  As part of that representation, KWIKA has handled the following matters.
  
  
• In 2007, NBC Universal filed the following copyright infringement action against the Executor/Trustee (whom KWIKA represented) and others, alleging that Mr. Garrison infringed upon its copyrights in creating the Guthy-Renker series.  The action has now been resolved.  (NBC UNIVERSAL, INC.  v. GUTHY-RENKER CORPORATION; GREG GARRISON PRODUCTIONS, INC.; RONALD L. BLANC as Trustee on behalf of the GREG GARRISON REVOCABLE TRUST; BLACK HORSE TELEVISION ENTERPRISES, LLC; BARRUMP-BUMP PUBLISHING CO., USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 07-05043 R (RZx).)
   
• In 2007, several musical composers filed the following copyright infringement action against the Executor/Trustee (whom KWIKA represented) and others, alleging that Mr. Garrison infringed upon their copyrights in creating the Guthy-Renker series.  The action has now been resolved.  (VAN ALEXANDER; LEE HALE; GEOFF CLARKSON; JAMES HILL v. GUTHY-RENKER CORPORATION; GREG GARRISON PRODUCTIONS, INC.; BARRUMP-BUMP PUBLISHING; MICHAEL GARRISON; RONALD L. BLANC as Trustee of the GREG GARRISON TRUST, USDC, Central District of California, Case No. CV 07-06026 VBF (SHx).

 

• KWIKA obtained a complete defense verdict for two L.A. wholesale diamond dealers who were sued by other dealers for allegedly buying stolen gems in Europe.  The gems were valued at 15 million Euro.  The plaintiffs sought to recover the gems and to obtain millions of dollars in damages.  After a two week bench trial in Los Angeles Superior Court involving complex choice-of-law questions, the Court found that KWIKA’s clients were bona fide purchasers for value and could retain ownership of the stones.  The plaintiffs took nothing – a complete victory for KWIKA’s clients.  The verdict was named as one of the top 10 defense verdicts of 2007 by the Daily Journal. ISHAIA TRADING CORP., et al. v. OVED ANTER, et al., LASC Case Nos. BC 347759 and BC 341830 (consolidated).
  
  
•  KWIKA has represented more than twenty plaintiffs in cases relating to illegal tax shelters.  The cases grew out of the technology boom of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s and involve Big 5 accounting firms and major law firms who advised certain of their high net worth clients to make what were (unbeknownst to the clients) fraudulent tax investments.  These clients believed that the investments would shield or postpone taxation of their gains, but instead were hit with huge tax bills, interest and penalties.  KWIKA has successfully litigated against several prominent defendants and recovered in excess of ten million dollars for its clients.
   
• KWIKA represents USI Holdings Corporation, which is a growing and diversified insurance and financial services firm focused on providing fully integrated distribution of general and specialty property and casualty insurance and financial services.  USI is the 9th largest insurance brokerage firm in the United States. From mid-2006 to the present, KWIKA has represented USI and its subsidiaries as plaintiffs in the following trade secrets and unfair competition actions, which enforced USI’s contracts containing covenants not to compete and non-solicitation clauses.  In each of the following cases, the trial court granted USI’s request for injunctive relief against defendants:
  
  
• USI HOLDINGS CORPORATION, et al. vs. BRIAN J. ROGERS; LASC Case No. BC 353534.
  
  
• USI HOLDINGS CORPORATION, et al. vs. THOMAS E. HUGHES, et al.; Marin County Superior Court Case No. CV-072685.
  
  
• USI HOLDINGS CORPORATION et al. vs. TRACEY DELA RIVA, et al.; San Joaquin County Superior Court Case No. CV 034163.
  
  
• KWIKA obtained a $1.5 million jury verdict in a wrongful death/elder abuse case.  TYRINE WILSON v. KOOMIE SON, et al., LASC Case No. BC 353067
  
  
• KWIKA obtained summary judgment on behalf of two sets of attorneys in one of the longest running Los Angeles Superior Court cases (10 years) where the plaintiffs sought hundreds of millions of dollars in a malicious prosecution case.  A. TOD HINDIN, et al. v. EDWARD BARRY RUST, JR., et al., LASC Case No. BC 190783
  
  
• KWIKA successfully represented a prominent local businessman in a palimony case.  The matter is confidential.
   
• KWIKA settled the high-profile case involving Minister Tony Mohammad and the Los Angeles Police Department.  TONY MUHAMMAD vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, et al., LASC Case No. BC 357193

• KWIKA represents Symbionese Liberation Army “soccer mom” Sara Jane Olson and recently filed a writ of habeas corpus on her behalf, arising out of the “miscalculation” of Ms. Olson’s prison time credits which sent her back to prison days after having been released.  PEOPLE v. SARA JANE OLSON, LASC Case No. A325036
  
  
• KWIKA represents one of the defendants in an alleged $100 million money laundering case involving Chasidic Rabbis from Brooklyn, bankers and lawyers from Israel, and businessmen in Los Angeles. USA v. NAFTALI TZI WEISZ, et al., Los Angeles Criminal Court, Case No. CR06-775(A)-GPS
  
  
• KWIKA effectuated an 82-minute jail sentence for Nicole Richie in her second-time DUI case – a case which found Ms. Richie driving on the wrong side of the freeway.
   
• KWIKA successfully represented “LOST” star, Michelle Rodriguez, in her second-time DUI case.
   
• KWIKA represented “CRIMINAL MINDS” star, Shemar Moore, for whom DUI charges were dismissed upon the successful negotiation of a simple “speeding” charge.
   
• KWIKA negotiated an 8-day sentence for “gangster” rapper, The Game, in a felony case in which the rapper was charged with using a firearm on a school ground.