By, Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Sean Combs Files $100M Defamation Lawsuit Against NBC, Peacock Over Diddy Doc
Disgraced rapper Sean Combs has filed a $100M defamation suit against NBC and Peacock following the release of the networks’ new documentary that focused on the fall of Diddy.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sean-diddy-combs-defamation-lawsuit-nbc-peacock-documentary-1235263887/
The MLC Asks Court to Reconsider Dismissal of Spotify ‘Bundling’ Lawsuit
The MLC is asking the U.S. District Court for SDNY to reconsider the January dismissal of the MLC’s original complaint filed last May regarding Spotify’s underpaying of royalties.
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-mlc-asks-court-to-reconsider-dismissal-of-spotify-bundling-lawsuit/
Civil Case Accusing Jay-Z, Diddy of Raping 13-Year-Old Girl Voluntarily Dismissed
The Jane Doe who accused Jay-Z and Sean Combs of raping her when she was 13 years old has voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit four months after the initial filing.
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/civil-case-accusing-jay-z-diddy-rape-dismissed/story?id=118847148
Drake’s Legal Team Issued UMG Lawsuit Statement Hours Before Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Performance
Just hours before Kendrick Lamar looked directly into the camera during his halftime performance to call out Drake, Drake’s legal team prepared for the expected on-air attack by issuing a statement regarding the rapper’s lawsuit against UMG.
https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/drake-legal-umg-statement-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-1234993095/
Arts
Ozzy Osbourne Sued for Posting Photos of Himself on Social Media
Photographer Neil Zlozower is arguing that Ozzy Osbourne infringed on his copyrights when the musician posted photos of himself on social media, which the photographer argues is an avenue to gain significant financial benefit. It’s not unusual for celebrities to post unlicensed pictures of themselves and often lawsuits (and settlements) ensue regarding the photographers’ rights.
https://completemusicupdate.com/ozzy-osbourne-sued-for-posting-photos-of-himself-on-social-media/
This Company Got a Copyright for an Image Made Entirely With AI. Here’s How.
An image created entirely by AI has been granted copyright protection since the human involved in the process had a hands-on role in creating the both original work and final AI image, by highlighting 35 different portions of the image for the technology to edit and generate elements within each individual portion.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/this-company-got-a-copyright-for-an-image-made-entirely-with-ai-heres-how/
Three Members of Museum Heist Crew Found Guilty of Conspiracy and Theft of Major Artwork and Concealment/Disposal of Major Artwork
Three Pennsylvania defendants were convicted for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment, and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property after it was found that they were part of a 20-year heist with plans to steal 17 pieces of art from across the East Coast.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/three-members-museum-heist-crew-found-guilty-conspiracy-theft-major-artwork-and
How Trump is Reshaping the Kennedy Center, Moving Away From “Woke Culture”
President Trump has been awarded a new title: Chair of the Kennedy Center. In this position he plans to move away from what he calls “woke culture,” alongside board members that include Usha Vance, Susie Wiles, and numerous other administration members and spouses.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-reshaping-kennedy-center-board-performances/
NYC Art Dealer Stabbed to Death in Brazil Was Murder-For-Hire Plot Arranged by Estranged Husband, Official Say
Daniel Sikkema, the husband of Brent Sikkema who was stabbed 18 times in Rio, has been indicted for hiring someone to kill his art-dealer spouse.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nyc-art-dealer-stabbed-death-brazil-was-murder-hire-plot-arranged-estr-rcna192247
The National Endowment for the Arts’s New Gender and Diversity Edicts Worry Arts Groups
As the National Endowment for the Arts (N.E.A.) adjusts to comply with President Trump’s executive orders, “gender ideology” is out and works that “honor the nation’s rich artistic heritage” are in. The NEA is telling arts groups not to use federal funds to promote “diversity, equity and inclusion” or “gender ideology” in ways that run afoul of Trump’s executive orders — causing confusion and concern.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/arts/nea-dei-gender.html?searchResultPosition=1
Sports
Dept. of Education Revokes Guidance on Title IX and Athlete Pay
The Trump Administration has revoked former President Biden’s guidance on Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination and athlete pay. The former guidance stated that schools “must equitably distribute direct payments to male and female athletes.” The revocation came along with a statement saying the Title IX does not apply to NIL deals.
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/43809645/dept-education-revokes-guidance-title-ix-athlete-pay
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prime Hydration Reach Settlement in Trademark Dispute
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has reached a settlement with Prime Hydration over their ongoing trademark infringement lawsuit.
https://frontofficesports.com/olympic-committee-prime-hydration-reach-settlement/
Luis Rubiales Tells Sexual Assault Trial He Asked to Kiss Jenni Hermoso
In his ongoing sexual assault trial, former coach of Spain’s Women National Soccer Team claims that he asked player Jenni Hermoso if he could kiss her prior to doing so.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43792600/luis-rubiales-set-testify-sexual-assault-trial-jenni-hermoso-kiss
Media & Technology
News/Media Alliance Announces Industry Lawsuit Against AI Content Theft
Members of the News/Media Alliance (whose GC, Regan Smith, was a panelist at EASL’s Annual Meeting) are joining forces in a copyright and trademark lawsuit against Cohere, Inc., an AI company that allegedly infringed on the alliance members’ intellectual property.
https://www.newsmediaalliance.org/lawsuit-against-ai-content-theft/
Judge Rules Against Fair Use Defense for AI Company
A Delaware judge ruled against the use of the fair use defense in the long-awaited Thomson Reuters v. ROSS Intelligence decision. Thomson Reuters was granted summary judgement, leaving ROSS liable for all of the works it had used under what the tech company hoped would fall under fair use.
https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/02/11/judge-rules-against-fair-use-defense-for-ai-company/
Vice President JD Vance Tapped to Spearhead TikTok Acquisition Deal
Alongside National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, VP JD Vance will spearhead the sale of TikTok to avoid another nation-wide shut down of the app.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/02/07/vp-jd-vance-tiktok-acquisition/
The Facts About Judicial Blocking of Foreign Piracy Sites
Bipartisan lawmakers are pushing for judicial blocking legislation to tackle piracy which would allow courts to block access to foreign piracy sites while offering IP protection without threatening free speech.
https://copyrightalliance.org/judicial-blocking-foreign-piracy-site-facts/
Elon Musk’s X Settles Donald Trump’s Free Speech Lawsuit Brought After Jan. 6 Ban
Musk and Trump have reached a $10M settlement agreement dating back to 2021 when Trump was banned from Twitter (now X).
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/13/twitter-x-lawsuit-elon-musk-donald-trump-settlement/78515016007/
Apple, Google Restore TikTok App After Assurances From Trump
In compliance with the law passed the briefly banned TikTok in the U.S., Apple and Google’s App Stores removed the app from their platforms. Now, TikTok is available once again for download as the White House works to figure out a long-term solution to keeping the platform in the U.S.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-14/apple-to-restore-tiktok-to-us-app-store-following-justice-department-letter
Google Calendar No Longer Includes Start of Black History Month, Pride Month
In Google’s 2025 calendar, the start of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month, and other holidays and events are nowhere to be found despite being included in previous years. A Google spokesperson has stated that to keep up with a broad range of cultural moments globally with be too large of a task to maintain.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/10/google-calendar-removes-start-of-black-history-womens-history-months.html
General News
RFK Jr. Confirmed as Trump’s Health Secretary, Over Democrat’s Loud Objections
Despite numerous warnings against RFK Jr. becoming Health Secretary from both House Democrats and Kennedy family members, RFK Jr. has been confirmed to take on the role. Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote with the Democrats, as he stated he cannot vote against vaccinations.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294591/rfk-jr-trump-health-human-services-hhs-vaccines
Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Eric Adams Case after Extraordinary Internal Revolt
The Justice Department has moved to dismiss corruption charges against NYC Mayor Adams, as Deputy Attorney General Bove argues that the case is interfering with Adams working with the Trump Administration on illegal immigration.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-moves-dismiss-eric-adams-case-extraordinary-interna-rcna192294
Top DOJ Officials, Manhattan Federal Prosecutor Resign After Receiving Orders to Drop Eric Adams Case
Danielle Sassoon stepped down from her position as U.S. Attorney for the SDNY following the Justice Department’s official order for her office to drop corruption charges against Eric Adams.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-attorney-manhattan-danielle-sassoon-quits-justice-dept-drops-eric-adams-case/
Judge Blocks Trump Order Restricting Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
A Maryland federal judge has blocked Trump’s “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” executive order that threatens funding to hospitals providing gender-affirming care to teens.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/13/trump-transgender-minors-judge-block-00204196
Judge Continues to Block Musk, DOGE From Treasury Data While Mulling Injunction
While it is still on the table whether a preliminary injunction will be issued, a Manhattan federal judge has made it clear that individuals associated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency will be blocked from accessing Treasury records and data.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-continuing-block-musk-doge-accessing-treasury-payment/story?id=118825220
Texas Judge Fines N.Y. Doctor at Least $100,000 for Prescribing Abortion Pills
A N.Y. based doctor has been ordered to pay a penalty for prescribing abortion pills to women in Texas, despite New York’s shield laws that are in place to protect doctors who provide abortion pills to patients in other states.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/texas-judge-fines-ny-doctor-least-100000-prescribing-abortion-pills-2025-02-14/
Transgender References Removed From Stonewall National Monument Website
The Stonewall National Monument Website has removed the “T” from LGBTQ+. This is especially jarring, given that under the Obama Administration, Stonewall became the country’s first national park dedicated to LGBTQ+ history.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/transgender-references-removed-stonewall-national-monument-website/story?id=118804553
Infant Mortality and Births Increased in Most States With Abortion Bans, Studies Find
Two new studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have found that infant mortality and births have increased in the states that passed abortion ban laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
https://time.com/7225531/infant-mortality-births-increased-states-abortion-bans-studies/
Middle Schoolers Protest Pete Hegseth’s DEI Takedown at U.S. Base in Germany
During Pete Hegseth’s visit to Germany, dozens of students staged a class walk out to protest the new Defense Secretary’s dismantling of DEI policies.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/13/student-protest-germany-pete-hegseth-dei-takedown/78507865007/
Jailed Russian Release in U.S. in Exchange for Marc Fogel: Kremlin
Marc Fogel has returned to the U.S. after more than three years of living as a prisoner in Russia. In exchange for Fogel’s release, Alexander Vinnik, who was imprisoned for laundering $4B, was returned to Russia.
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5140114-marc-fogul-swapped-russian-prisoner-kremlin/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/arts/nea-dei-gender.html?searchResultPosition=1