Manatt Entertainment Litigation Leader Robert Jacobs and Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Partner Jessica Wood were named to the Daily Journal’s Top Intellectual Property Lawyers of 2023.
Jacobs was recognized for representing some of the biggest names in music, including Marshmello, Gente De Zona and Supertramp lead singer Roger Hodgson. His profile highlighted Jacobs’ work serving as lead counsel for record label BMG Rights Management in a lawsuit filed by Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic and The Tiger King. Maldonado-Passage claimed BMG supposedly used six songs he owned without authorization, but Jacobs was able to secure a dismissal before the initial case filing deadline and prior to any discovery.
Noted for her practice advising individuals and businesses on developing and protecting their brands and IP, Wood represents clients in a variety of industries, including technology, software, digital media, entertainment, fashion and apparel, automotive and more. As featured in her profile, she recently counseled footwear and apparel manufacturer and retailer Eurostar Inc. (dba WSS) in protecting their intellectual property assets amid a $750 million acquisition by Foot Locker. Wood helped the company strategically and creatively maintain its identity as a community-focused brand during this rapid expansion.
Both Jacobs and Wood discussed the advent of artificial intelligence and the impact it has on developing, protecting and capitalizing on intellectual property.
“AI is coming so quickly, and there isn’t necessarily any framework for this. The challenge is, how do we minimize risk, develop safety measures, recognize and overcome potential biases that we’re seeing in the AI programs and platforms?” Wood said. “At the same time, it’s helping clients figure out how they can actually utilize these tools and not be afraid of this new technology.”
“People are paying a lot of attention to AI. It raises a host of issues, under copyright laws, but also under the rights of publicity many states recognize,” Jacobs said. “The issues we’re seeing now with AI show that there is bit of a gap between traditional copyright concepts and where technology is moving.”
Read Jacobs’ profile here, and Wood’s profile here.