Issue No. 045
August 26, 2026
New York
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The IP Briefing · by ESCA Legal
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| Writer Lauren J. Salkin sued Taylor Sheridan, Paramount, NBCUniversal, 101 Studios, and Elevate Entertainment, alleging that Yellowstone copied protected elements from her proposed series Sovereign Nation. |
| § | Salkin says she submitted a pilot script, show bible, and pitch deck to Sheridan's management company in late 2016 and early 2017. | | § | The complaint alleges similarities involving tribal governance, casino-centered political power, land development, and a 99-year lease structure. | | § | Salkin also points to two actors she proposed for Sovereign Nation who later appeared in Yellowstone in allegedly parallel roles. | | § | The lawsuit seeks damages, profits tied to the alleged infringement, and injunctive relief. |
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| Continue reading → |
| § ESCA Takeaway |
| This issue follows a common rights question across television, sports branding, fine art, and social media advertising: who controls the creative material that gives a commercial property its value? |
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| More IP Stories |
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| § Copyright · Filed |
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| Deion Sanders asked a Nebraska federal court for summary judgment in a dispute with designer Alan Tipp over the P21ME and TRUTH logos used in Sanders' personal brand. |
| § | Tipp alleges that he created the logos in 2011 and signed away his rights after receiving promises that he would join Sanders' marketing team. | | § | Sanders argues that Tipp's employer assigned the logo rights to Under Armour under agreements tied to Sanders' endorsement deal. | | § | The defense says Under Armour later allowed Sanders to continue using the marks after the endorsement relationship ended. | | § | Sanders' filing states that Tipp never owned copyrights in the logos. |
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Why it matters
The dispute shows how design ownership can depend on the contracts connecting a creator, an employer, a sponsor, and a public figure. Those agreements can matter long after the original endorsement ends.
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| § Copyright · Filed |
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| Photographer Justin Thomas sued artist Elizabeth Peyton, Sotheby's, and David Zwirner Gallery over a painting based on his 1995 photograph of Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher kissing. |
| § | Thomas alleges that the painting copied the photograph's composition, poses, expressions, lighting, hand placement, and other creative choices. | | § | The painting sold at Sotheby's in May for $1.92 million with fees. | | § | The complaint asserts claims against Peyton for creating the painting and against Sotheby's and the gallery for reproducing, displaying, and distributing it. | | § | Thomas says he learned of the painting only after Sotheby's sought a license to use his photograph in the auction catalog. |
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Why it matters
The case connects music photography, fine art, auction sales, and online promotion. It also separates ownership of a physical painting from the copyright questions raised by creating and reproducing the image.
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| § Copyright · Filed |
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| Sony Music and affiliated labels sued Kroger and 18 current or former affiliates over alleged unlicensed use of sound recordings in social media advertising and influencer promotions. |
| § | The complaint identifies at least 392 alleged uses across Kroger brands including Ralphs, Mariano's, Harris Teeter, Home Chef, and Murray's Cheese. | | § | Sony alleges that Kroger previously entered at least 14 licenses covering recordings used in advertising between 2017 and 2025. | | § | The suit cites recordings by Mariah Carey, OutKast, Bill Withers, Harry Styles, and Miley Cyrus. | | § | Sony seeks statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work, an injunction, and costs. |
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Why it matters
The lawsuit extends music-rights enforcement into everyday retail marketing. It highlights the difference between music available inside a social platform and music cleared for commercial advertising by a brand or its influencers.
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QUICK HITS
| § Patent | CLO Virtual Fashion and Style3D resolved a U.S. patent suit over 3D garment-design software. Style3D's parent admitted that the accused software infringed three asserted patents and that the patents are valid and enforceable; other settlement terms remain confidential. [source] |
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This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Published by ESCA Legal. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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