Jonathan Sokol handles a variety of entertainment and intellectual property litigation matters, specializing in protecting rights owners.  He has represented production companies, authors, actors and musicians in high-profile copyright infringement, trademark infringement and unfair competition actions and has counseled clients on all aspects of copyright and trademark law.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:

• Lil’ Joe Records v. Worldwide Pants Incorporated:  Represented producer of “Late Show With David Letterman” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn” in the defense of music copyright infringement action involving alleged use of a “2 Live Crew” song as a play-on for guests.
• FOX Sports South v. TBS and Time Warner:  Represented Fox Sports regional sports network in complex litigation against TBS and Time Warner arising out of breach of non-compete agreement with respect to the cable distribution of regional sports programming in the Southeast region of the country.
• Dr. Seuss Enterprises v. ABC (Disney):  Represented the owner of the rights to the works of Theodor S. Geisel (Dr. Seuss) in trademark infringement action against ABC/Disney arising out of ABC’s launch of network television series originally entitled “Sam I Am.”  Matter successfully resolved by ABC agreeing to change the name of the show.
• Magidon Films, Inc. v. Jaam-E-Jam Network: Represented producer of the film “Baraka” in copyright infringement action against largest Persian television network in the world that aired an infringing music video performed by Dariush that incorporated numerous unauthorized clips from Baraka.  Obtained $400,000 settlement for client.
• Magidson Films, Inc. v. MTV Networks:  Represented producer of the film “Baraka” in copyright infringement action against MTV arising out of show that aired on MTV incorporating infringing material from Baraka.  Confidential settlement.
• Moldex-Metric, Inc. v. Aearo Company:  Represented manufacturer of earplug products in complex trademark infringement action against largest manufacturer of earplug products in the world arising out of infringement of client’s color design mark for earplugs.  Obtained preliminary injunction preventing further sale of infringing products and requiring recall of infringing products.  Later obtained confidential settlement for client, including permanent injunction against defendant.
• Robert Kaufman Company v. Picnic Time, Inc.:  Represented leading manufacturer in the U.S. of fabric designs in copyright infringement action against former customer who had knock-offs of client’s design manufactured in the Orient.  Obtained judgment for permanent injunction against defendant and $1 million settlement for client.