Paramount has asked a district judge to recuse himself from overseeing a challenge led by a dozen states to the company's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing Wednesday that the judge's former role as labor counsel for a guild that's also challenging the deal risks the appearance of impartiality.
Law360
Media & Entertainment
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 Law360 iOS App Law360 Android App Follow Law360 on Facebook Follow Law360 on LinkedIn Follow Law360 on Twitter

TOP NEWS

Paramount Wants Merger Judge Recused Over Guild Work

By Nadia Dreid

Paramount has asked a district judge to recuse himself from overseeing a challenge led by a dozen states to the company's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing Wednesday that the judge's former role as labor counsel for a guild that's also challenging the deal risks the appearance of impartiality.

Motion attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Analysis

The Biggest Copyright Rulings Of 2026: A Midyear Report

By Theresa Schliep

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a major opinion that limited contributory copyright liability for internet service providers, while a major verdict in a Digital Millennium Copyright Act case could hint at what's to come in artificial intelligence litigation. Here are Law360's picks for the top copyright rulings for the first half of 2026.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Analysis

Circuit-By-Circuit Guide To The US Supreme Court's Term

By Jeff Overley

Federal appeals courts had wide-ranging successes and struggles during the U.S. Supreme Court's recently completed term: One had its best showing in years following its worst showing in years; one felt déjà vu after recently starting to find favor with the justices; and one saw its reputation for independence occupy a rare role in the Supreme Court spotlight.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Baldoni Can't Ax Lively Coverage Fight In NY, Judge Says

By Hope Patti

Justin Baldoni, his production company and other officers cannot escape an insurer's suit seeking to avoid coverage for the now-settled sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought against them by "It Ends With Us" co-star Blake Lively, a New York federal court ruled.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Settlement Reached In Trump Media SPAC Exec Hacking Suit

By Corey Rothauser

A lawsuit accusing a Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. director and his associates of improperly accessing confidential files to help remove the former head of the special purpose acquisition company that merged with Trump Media has ended in a confidential settlement, according to a notice filed Tuesday in Florida federal court.

Notice attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

FCC To Vote On Scrapping 39% Nat'l Broadcast Audience Cap

By Christopher Cole

The Federal Communications Commission will vote next month on whether to ease the 39% cap on national audience share controlled by a single broadcast chain, teeing up a legal fight with opponents who say only Congress can raise the decades-old limit.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Copyright Office Revises Fee Hikes After Public Comments

By Ivan Moreno

The U.S. Copyright Office has backed away from eliminating its lowest-cost basic registration option and trimmed three other proposed fee hikes after public comments, while preserving most of the broader fee overhaul it unveiled in March.

1 document attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Squires Grants 10 PTAB Petitions, Denies 14 In Newest Order

By Dani Kass

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires turned away 14 Patent Trial and Appeal Board petitions on Tuesday, while instituting another 10.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

PRIVACY & CONSUMER PROTECTION

Meta Tries Again To Nix Android Users' Browsing-Profile Suit

By Gina Kim

Meta on Wednesday took a second stab at nixing an amended consolidated litigation alleging it matched users' browsing activities to their Facebook accounts for targeted advertising purposes and personalizing content, telling a California federal judge the plaintiffs consented to the conduct, which was disclosed in Meta's privacy policy.

Motion attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Apple's 'Hide My Email' Doesn't Work As Promised, User Says

By Lauren Berg

While Apple Inc. assures consumers it prioritizes their privacy with its "Hide My Email" feature, which purports to shield users' email addresses from third parties, the feature doesn't actually work as promised, according to a proposed class action filed Wednesday in California federal court.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

COMPETITION

Google, Epic Drop Bid To Alter Injunction In Antitrust Case

By Aneeta Mathur-Ashton

Epic Games and Google have withdrawn their joint bid to alter an injunction issued after Epic's win in its antitrust case regarding Google's Android app policies.

Notice attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Apple Allowed To Question Withdrawing Hagens ICloud Client

By Bryan Koenig

A California federal judge has allowed Apple to impose conditions on the withdrawal of a Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP client as a named plaintiff from an iCloud antitrust case, concluding that the consumer's information could be "relevant to spoliation sanctions" or Hagens Berman's adequacy as class counsel.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

T-Mobile Nears Win On WCO Spectrum's Antitrust Claims

By Craig Clough

A California judge said Wednesday that she'll again dismiss WCO Spectrum's antitrust counterclaims against T-Mobile, which has accused the spectrum-buying company of racketeering, but indicated she isn't yet sure whether she'll allow WCO Spectrum to amend its countersuit and try again.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Brief

Dish Bankruptcy Puts Disney's Sling TV Suit On Hold

By David Steele

A New York federal judge has paused Disney's suit accusing Dish Network of improperly offering Sling TV to its subscribers, in order to allow Dish to resolve its bankruptcy issues in Texas, with the judge ordering an update on their status in 90 days.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

EMPLOYMENT

Atlantic City Gets Win In Lifeguard Retaliation Suit

By Ganesh Setty

Two lifeguards failed to support their claims that the Atlantic City Beach Patrol retaliated against them for complaining about their work conditions, which allegedly involved dirty stations, a lack of proper equipment and "rampant" sexual exploitation, a New Jersey judge ruled.

Opinion attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Brief

Colo. Judge Finalizes Closed Captioner $500K Wage Deal

By MJ Koo

A Colorado federal judge gave final approval Wednesday to a $500,000 settlement resolving claims that a transcription and closed captioning company failed to pay workers for preparation tasks they performed before their official shift start times.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

SECURITIES & WHITE COLLAR

Napster Share-Theft Suspect Gets Federal Defenders For Now

By Pete Brush

A North Carolina man accused of posing as a billionaire investor to trick Napster into transferring him 25% of its shares was afforded free-of-charge lawyers Wednesday by a Manhattan federal judge amid a purported effort to retain private counsel.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Dating App Investor Seeks Grindr Buyback Records In Del.

By Jarek Rutz

A stockholder of the world's largest LGBTQ+ dating app has sued in Delaware Chancery Court to force Grindr Inc. to turn over books and records related to a share repurchase program that allegedly handed majority voting control to Chairman G. Raymond Zage III without requiring him to pay a control premium.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Tainted By Bribery, Suit Says

By Katryna Perera

A Paramount Skydance Corp. stockholder seeking to block Paramount's proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery alleges in a new suit that Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his son and Paramount CEO David Ellison have promised "illegal, private benefits" to President Donald Trump to secure regulatory approval for the deal.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Eyes Revamp Of Telecom Subsidies' Governing Body

By Christopher Cole

After months of agency staff looking into possible changes to high-speed connectivity programs, the Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on a plan next month that would alter the structure of the outside company that manages the funds.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Wireless Carriers Want FCC Changes To Space Reg Update

By Nadia Dreid

Wireless trade group CTIA told the Federal Communications Commission it supports the agency's plans to slash satellite licensing regulations, but wants to ensure the rules protecting earth stations in shared bands are not cut in the process.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

IMMIGRATION

DC Judge Stays State Dept. 'Censorship' Policy

By Tom Lotshaw

A D.C. federal judge temporarily blocked a U.S. State Department policy purportedly aimed at fighting censorship, ruling a research coalition is likely to show it unlawfully targeted people for protected viewpoints and work in the realm of social media content moderation.

Memorandum attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

EXPERT ANALYSIS

Who Owns The Data Behind The Beautiful Game?

Every match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup generates enormous volumes of information that can improve performance, enhance fan engagement and create new revenue streams, but that same data can also create significant legal exposure if rights and responsibilities are not clearly defined, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

LEGAL INDUSTRY

How Does Your Compensation Stack Up? Take Our Survey

Is your compensation keeping pace with the rate of inflation? Do you know what your colleagues made last year? Help Law360 Pulse answer these questions and more in this year's Law Firm Compensation Survey.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Feature

As Law Firms Race To Adopt AI, Cost Concerns Grow

By Phillip Bantz

Pressure is mounting on law firm leaders to dive into the AI waters or watch competitors swim away, but figuring out responsible, cost-effective methods to use high-priced legal tech remains tricky, experts say.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Richards Layton Apologizes For AI Errors In Chancery Case

By Rose Krebs

Richards Layton & Finger PA and one of its attorneys have apologized to the Delaware Chancery Court for submitting a filing with errors generated by artificial intelligence, asking that sanctions not be imposed.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

McDermott Atty Denies Pressuring Friend To Alter Testimony

By Rose Krebs

A McDermott Will & Schulte LLP attorney has told a Delaware vice chancellor that he is in "complete shock" and "hurt" by a longtime friend's contention that he pressured him to change his testimony in a Chancery Court case, saying the accusation "is false and without any merit."

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Simpson Thacher 'Never' Explained Ill-Fated Deal, Exec Says

By Cara Salvatore

A founder seeking over $100 million from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett over a transaction he says destroyed his insurance services company testified Thursday the law firm provided him no education on various words he wasn't familiar with in the deal.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Blue-Slip-Backed Trump Judge Selections Advance

By Courtney Bublé

The first two judicial nominations of the second Trump administration to receive supportive blue slips from Democratic senators advanced to the Senate floor Thursday.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Goulston Docked Ex-Partners' Pay For Joining Rival, Suit Says

By Julie Manganis

Two Goulston & Storrs PC directors who jumped to Troutman Pepper Locke LLP were stiffed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation in retaliation for leaving, according to a suit filed Thursday in New York federal court.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Feature

In Uber Assault Trial, A Courtroom Tests Truth Face-To-Face

By Hayley Fowler

This is the first in a two-part series about the Virginia Revival Model courtroom in the Charles R. Jonas federal courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, judges and attorneys recall how a sexual assault trial against Uber unfolded in a space designed to place focus on the witnesses.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Tillis Might Back Blanche, As AG Pick Met Epstein Survivors

By Courtney Bublé

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday afternoon met with a group of survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said his condition for supporting Blanche's appointment to the permanent position was for the nominee to speak to them face-to-face.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Promo that reads Supreme Court Term in Review. What You Need to Know. With a photo of the Supreme Court underneath gray blue promo that reads Law360 Pulse Lawyer Satisfaction Survey

COMPANIES IN TODAY'S NEWS

ASTM International

AT&T Inc.

Admiral Insurance Co.

Amazon.com Inc.

Apple Inc.

Bicara Therapeutics Inc.

CTIA

Cable News Network Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

Cox Communications Inc.

DISH Network Corp.

ESPN Inc.

Epic Games Inc.

Federation Internationale de Football Association

Fox Corp.

Genzyme Corp.

Google LLC

Grindr LLC

Hard Yaka Inc.

Instagram Inc.

Johns Hopkins University

KPMG International

Klein Tools Inc.

Learneo Inc.

Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional

Lloyd's America Inc.

Meta Platforms Inc.

Michaels Stores Inc.

Microsoft Corp.

National Association of Broadcasters

Netflix Inc.

Nexstar Media Group Inc.

Palantir Technologies Inc.

Paramount Pictures Corp.

Patriot National Inc.

Protect Democracy Project Inc.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

Rhapsody International Inc.

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.

Skydance Media LLC

Sling TV LLC

Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

Spectrum Management Holding Co.

T-Mobile US Inc.

Tegna Inc.

Tesla Inc.

Tidewater, Inc.

Uber Technologies Inc.

Universal Service Administrative Co.

Verizon Communications Inc.

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

Washington Legal Foundation

Wayfarer Studios

LAW FIRMS IN TODAY'S NEWS

Abrams & Bayliss

Advisors LLC

Ahdoot & Wolfson

Almeida Law Group

Alston & Bird

Altshuler Berzon

Anapol Weiss

Andrews & Springer

Arnold & Porter

Burns Charest

Bursor & Fisher

Cohen & Gresser

Conrad & Scherer

Cravath Swaine

Cuneo Gilbert

DLA Piper

Dickinson Wright

Edelson PC

Faegre Drinker

Farmer Brownstein

Fish & Richardson

Freshfields

Friedland Cianfrani

Glancy Prongay

Goulston & Storrs

Hagens Berman

Hardin Thompson

Homer Bonner

Jackson Lewis PC

Kinsella Holley

Kirby McInerney

Kirkland & Ellis

Kleinbard LLC

Landis Rath

Latham & Watkins

Law Offices of Eric A. Shore

Law Offices of Riley & Riley

Lieff Cabraser

Lindsay & Allen

McDermott Will & Schulte

McGuireWoods

Morgan Lewis

Morris Nichols

Munger Tolles

Norton Rose

O'Melveny & Myers

Olshan Frome

Paul Hastings

Potter Anderson

Pryor Cashman

Quinn Emanuel

Reed Smith

Richards Layton

Shinder Cantor

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

Skarzynski Marick

Stearns Weaver

Steptoe LLP

Sterne Kessler

Troutman

Watstein Terepka

Williams & Connolly

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN TODAY'S NEWS

California Civil Rights Department

Defense Contract Management Agency

Delaware Court of Chancery

European Union

Executive Office of the President

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Reserve System

Federal Trade Commission

Patent Trial and Appeal Board

U.S. Attorney's Office

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

U.S. Copyright Office

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts of Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

U.S. Senate

U.S. Supreme Court

United States District Court for the District of Colorado

United States District Court for the District of North Dakota