Intellectual Property Partner Oren Warshavsky and Associate Jessie Schweller were mentioned in Law360 (“Warner Bros., Shirelles End 'Baby It's You!' Mark Feud”) on December 15.
According to the article, The Shirelles, represented by Warshavsky and Schweller, settled their trademark and right of publicity lawsuit accusing Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. of using the group's name and likeness in the Broadway musical “Baby It's You!” without permission.
The suit was dismissed without prejudice after the judge was informed a settlement in principle had been reached, but the judge also ruled that the suit may be reopened if the settlement isn’t fully consummated within 90 days. Terms of the settlement were not immediately available.
“Plaintiffs claimed the musical, which chronicles the group's rise to stardom, used their names, likenesses and biographical information without their consent, violating the publicity rights laws of New York, New Jersey and California. Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Broadway Baby LLC, which all had a role in producing the show, were named as defendants in the complaint,” the article explained. The musical ran on Broadway until September 4.