Entertainment Litigation Leader Robert Jacobs was featured in Billboard and Daily Journal for his work leading the Manatt team that successfully obtained summary judgment for client Marshmello in defeating a copyright infringement lawsuit.
Filed by Russian electronic DJ Artem Stoliarov p/k/a Arty, the suit alleged that Marshmello’s hit song “Happier” infringes Stoliarov’s copyright in the song “I Lived (Arty Remix).” Manatt represented defendants Marshmello, Dan Smith (lead singer of Bastille), U.K. producer and songwriter Steve Mac, Polygram, Kobalt Music, and others.
“We are pleased with the Ninth Circuit’s well-reasoned decision, and grateful that the court agreed that Arty did not have the right to bring the lawsuit in the first place,” Jacobs said in a statement to Billboard.
He continued in Daily Journal: "The decisions of the 9th Circuit and the trial court below help clarify the unique copyright ownership issues that arise with remixes of preexisting songs; how the questions of causation and damages associated with live performances of allegedly infringing songs should be addressed; and the manner in which personal jurisdiction should be evaluated when plaintiffs seek to apply the copyright act to non-U. S. defendants."
Manatt’s team also included Entertainment Litigation Partner Prana Topper, Appellate Partner Benjamin Shatz, Associate Noro Mejlumyan, and Music Assistant/Clearance Specialist Veronica Hartling.
Read the Billboard article here.
Daily Journal subscribers can read the article here.