Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin: Las Vegas

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Hologram Patent #Lawsuits #MichaelJackson and #CirqueduSoleil show in Las Vegas

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Two years ago, a hologram of Tupac Shakur at the Coachella Music Festival had people wondering about what might be next in concert possibilities. Now, the technology that created the spectacle has landed in the hands of a noteworthy billionaire: Alki David, the eccentric one who attempted to transform the television business with streaming technology before Aereo stole his thunder and TV broadcasters unleashed their legal guns on him.

Now, David finds himself on the flip side of the intellectual property coin. His FilmOn and hologram-maker Musion are the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed on Monday against Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts for allegedly infringing patents to create a hologram used in the final scene of Michael Jackson: One, the resident acrobatic production at Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas.

The complaint filed in California federal court begins with some history, read here.... http://www.scribd.com/doc/214434044/Hologram

"In 1862, John Pepper and Henry Dircks invented 'Pepper's Ghost,' an illusion technique, which, over the last 150 years, has appeared in movies, concerts, magic shows and amusement park rides," says the lawsuit. "Today a new incarnation of Pepper's Ghost exists -- Musion Eyeliner technology. Musion Eyeliner uses a patented system to project three-dimensional images virtually indistinguishable from real life bodies."

David was apparently impressed upon seeing the technology being used to create the deceased rapper Tupac appearing on stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He says he recently bought the exclusive license to Musion's patent and has started up a company called Hologram USA with a showroom at the FilmOn Studios on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills.

Why? He's got plans. "We already agreed on hologram performances with Flo Rida and the late Amy Winehouse," he says. "Many other shows are coming."

But first comes some score-settling about who owns rights to hologram technology. David says he's about to file a slew of lawsuits. This Michael Jackson one is the first.

The new lawsuit mentions two patents at issue: One for a device for displaying moving images in the background of a stage and one for a projection apparatus and method for pepper's ghost illusion.
"Although it has been widely acknowledged that Defendants employ the technology to create a three-dimensional hologram of Michael Jackson in Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: One, Defendants do not possess a valid license to practice that technology."

Meanwhile, the hologram technology has landed in the hands of a Hollywood bad boy with a taste for the outrageous. David tells THR, "This is by far the most exciting business opportunity I have ever seen. Imagine running 100 meters against Usain Bolt or resurrecting Richard Pryor!"

Source.... HR

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Friday, March 14, 2014

Stolen #CoinCollection Melted Down by #PawnStars Shop

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

The famed Gold & Silver Pawn shop, featured on History Channel’s hit series “Pawn Stars,” reportedly melted down a precious coin collection that was stolen from a man by his niece.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Clark County Justice Court, obtained by ABC News, David Walters’ coin collection was taken from him by his niece Jennifer Beckman, who then proceeded to sell its contents to Gold & Silver Pawn for a reported $12,375, which she earned during three separate visits to the store.

Walters claims his niece lifted the collection in chunks and it he estimates it was worth up to $50,000. But he won’t be getting back his coins anytime soon.

According to the report, he contacted the shop and tried to put a hold on the coins once he figured out they’d be swiped, but too much time had passed and the coins were already long gone.

A rep for the shop told the news site that most of Walters collection was melted down.

"In a fast-moving shop, particularly our shop, because of its fame, you move things quickly," rep Lauren Herlovich said, explaining that coins, which typically come in plastic cases, are sorted and evaluated by a grader.

"We go through them," she added. "If the grader is not someone we trust, the cases are cracked open and the coins are sent out to be melted down. That was the case here. I don't know for sure, but I believe a majority were melted down. They weren't worth what he [Walters] thought they were worth."

Gold & Silver Pawn is featured on the hit History Channel series. During each episode, customers bring in unique items and try to convince Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison, “The Old Man” and Chumlee to fork up cash for their goods.

A rep for the History Channel did not immediately return FOX411’s request for comment. A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source.... foxnews