Nightmare for DreamWorks? (The AM Law Daily)

Among the similarities between his creation and the DreamWorks character that Gordon cites in his complaint: both giant pandas hang out with red panda sidekicks who use chopsticks in connection with kung fu fighting.

Gordon also claims that the similarites extend to other plot elements and settings. Portions of both the movie and Gordon’s illustrated literary works take place in "The Valley of Peace," a fictional land in ancient China. Gordon also notes that while his panda is supported by a group of five fighting animals known as the "Five Fists of Fury," Kung Fu Panda protagonist Po is accompanied by a group called "Furious Five" that is composed of the same five animals: a tiger, a monkey, a crane, a mantis, and a snake.

This on top of the 2010 lawsuit filed by another man whith the same Zen-Bear idea:

Self-described "writer-producer-teacher-philosopher" Terence Dunn ... claims that he originally pitched the idea of a "spiritual kung-fu fighting panda bear" to DreamWorks studio execs back in November 2001. Dunn's kung-fu bear was "adopted by five animal friends in the forest (a tiger, a leopard, a dragon, a snake and a crane), whose destiny is foretold by an old and wise sage, Turquoise Tortoise, and who comes of age and fulfills his destiny as a martial arts hero and spiritual avatar."

I guess this just goes to show that there really are no original ideas - I mean, what are the chances? Two guys, on opposites sides of the country, both come up with this idea? (Hmmm, you know, the guy in LA went to Harvard, and the other guy lives in Boston. I wonder if they ever crossed paths?) Either way, DreamWorks certainly has its hands full.
Read the full article here.

Disney, Celador Rest; 'Millionaire' Case Goes to Jury (The Wrap)

Celador, which first filed suit in 2004, alleges that Disney, ABC, Buena Vista Television and Valleycrest Production conducted a series of slippery deals and secret arrangements that saw the “Millionaire” creators left short hundreds of millions in expected revenues and profits from the hugely successful American version of the game show...
Judge Virginia Phillips called the case a “dispute about a contract” when the trial started almost a month ago In the process, however, the trial has become an investigation into the often shadowy world of Hollywood accounting.

Ah, the shady accounting of Hollywood - I just love it! Almost as much as I love Ben Silverman, who was the WMA agent in the middle of this deal. (That is, not at all.)
Read the full article here.

Supreme Court rules in favor of California police chief who read employee's texts (LA Times)

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a broad right of privacy for workers who send text messages on the job, ruling that supervisors may read through an employee's communications if they suspect rules are being violated.

No more drunken sexting on the work phones folks. But seriously, it's just like email - the boss can peek whenever he wants. Be careful out there!
Read the full article here.