Alonzo Wickers IV

Defending Lionsgate against right-of-publicity claims arising from use of convicted terrorist’s likeness in motion picture. The defendant contends that the film’s producers should have obtained permission to use his likeness on a watch list used as a prop. Lionsgate’s anti-SLAPP motion is pending. (Cal. Super. Ct. Ongoing)

Successfully defended Bauer, publisher of "In Touch Weekly," in a defamation lawsuit filed by soccer star David Beckham over article reporting on alleged tryst with a call girl. In Touch was awarded its attorneys' fees under California's anti-SLAPP statute. Beckham's appeal is pending in the 9th Circuit. (Ongoing)

Led Electronic Arts' defense in the district court and the Ninth Circuit against former NFL star Jim Brown's Lanham Act and right-of-publicity claims, which arise from EA's use of the former Cleveland Browns great's likeness in its Madden NFL video game. The district court granted EA's motion to dismiss Brown's Lanham Act claim, finding that the use was protected under the First Amendment. Also led team representing EA in the Ninth Circuit in Keller v. EA. In that case, the district court denied EA's special motion to strike the plaintiff's right-of-publicity claims, which arise from EA's use of the former college quarterback's likeness in its NCAA Football video game. The Brown and Keller cases, which were consolidated for appeal, pit the game publisher’s First Amendment rights against celebrities' right of publicity and Lanham Act rights. The Ninth Circuit has taken both matters under submission. (C.D. Cal., 9th Cir. Ongoing)

Defending Comedy Central, South Park Digital Studios, and other defendants against a copyright-infringement claim arising from South Park's parody of the Internet viral video 'What What in the Butt.' The district court granted the defendants' motion to dismiss, finding that South Park's use of the plaintiffs' video was protected as a fair use under the Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The court also granted the defendant’s fee motion. Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal to the Seventh Circuit, which heard the argument in January 2012. Among other issues, the case presents the question of whether fair use may be decided at the pleading stage in appropriate cases. (E.D. Wis., 7th Cir. Ongoing)

Successfully defended The Topps Company against right-of-publicity claims filed by astronaut Buzz Aldrin arising from Topps' use of Aldrin's name and likeness in the Topps American Heritage: American Heroes trading-card set and on the cover of that work. The court recognized (for the first time within the Ninth Circuit) that trading cards are constitutionally protected expressive works, granted Topps' anti-SLAPP motion, and dismissed the claims. (C.D. Cal., 9th Cir. Ongoing)

Defending Lionsgate against right-of-publicity and unfair-competition claims arising from use of actor Jesse Eisenberg’s name and likeness on cover for DVD release of film “Camp Hell.” Eisenberg contends that the DVD cover exaggerates his role in the film. Lionsgate’s anti-SLAPP motion is pending. (Cal. Super. Ct. Ongoing)

Defending MTV against idea-submission claims arising from hit reality series "Jersey Shore." (Cal. Super. Ct. Ongoing)

IP and First Amendment counsel to the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents major video-game publishers in the United States. Worked with the ESA on proposed right-of-publicity bills in Michigan, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, encouraging lawmakers to afford video games the same protections as other expressive works. Testified before legislative committees, met with lawmakers, submitted written comments to proposed legislation, and helped formulate ESA's strategy. ESA’s efforts have been opposed by professional athletes’ union and by SAG. (Ongoing)

Regularly provide copyright, trademark, and right-of-publicity advice for television programs, webcasts and documentary films, including "South Park," "Tosh.0," "Californication," "House of Lies," "Dexter," and "Kitchen Nightmares." (Ongoing)

Successfully defended Penguin and author Jillian Shriner against defamation, invasion-of-privacy, and right-of-publicity claims arising from the use of the plaintiff's photograph in a promotion for book 'Some Girls: My Life in a Harem', which recounted the author's experiences in a royal harem in Brunei. The court granted Penguin and Ms. Shriner's anti-SLAPP motion and dismissed all of the plaintiff's claims with prejudice. (Cal. Super. Ct. Ongoing)

Defending Gawker against defamation, false-light, invasion-of-privacy, and right of publicity claims arising from reporting about former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s admission that he fathered a child by a former staff member. Gawker has filed an anti-SLAPP motion asking the court to dismiss all four claims. (C.D. Cal. Ongoing)

Defended BET and Film Garden Entertainment in a copyright-infringement action arising from the use of plaintiff’s fashion photographs in a reality-television series. The case was resolved days after BET and Film Garden filed their motion for summary judgment. (C.D. Cal. 2011)

Successfully defended Simon & Schuster and child star Jodie Sweetin against false-light lawsuit filed by her ex-husband based on her memoir. The plaintiff dismissed his lawsuit with prejudice after defendants filed their anti-SLAPP motion. (Cal. Super. Ct. 2011)

Defended MTV Networks and Randy Jackson against breach of implied-in-fact contract and other idea-submission claims arising from the reality-television show 'America's Best Dance Crew.' The case was resolved several days after MTV filed its motion for summary judgment based on independent creation and the statute of limitations. (Cal. Super. Ct. 2011) Read more

Successfully represented The Press-Enterprise in Public Records Act lawsuit resulting in judgment compelling public agency to release information about pensions paid to retired public employees. The court subsequently awarded The Press-Enterprise 100% of its requested fees. (Cal. Super. Ct. 2011)

Successfully defended McGraw-Hill against two copyright-infringement lawsuits based on use of allegedly copyrighted material in book. The district court granted McGraw-Hill's motion to dismiss and awarded McGraw-Hill its attorneys' fees. The Ninth Circuit dismissed plaintiff's appeal. (C.D. Cal., 9th Cir. 2011)

Defended Gawker Media in a copyright-infringement lawsuit filed by actors Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart, based on Gawker.com's publication of a news item that included a clip from a videotape showing the couple and another woman naked. In December 2009, the district court granted Gawker's motion to strike plaintiffs' claims for statutory damages and attorneys' fees. Case subsequently was resolved. (C.D. Cal. 2010)

Represented several video game publishers as amici counsel in connection with rehearing petition in 9th Circuit in right-of-publicity case arising from the use of Paris Hilton's likeness on a parodic greeting card. Court modified original opinion, adopting amici's arguments. (9th Cir. 2010)

Successfully defended Showtime Networks against idea-submission lawsuit filed by woman who pitched idea for online reality program. Court sustained Showtime's demurrer to complaint without leave to amend, and entered judgment in favor of Showtime. Plaintiff dismissed her appeal voluntarily. (Cal. Super. Ct. and Cal Ct. of App. 2010)

Successfully defended MTV Networks in an invasion-of-privacy, trespass, and negligence lawsuit arising from the production and broadcast of the popular reality television series 'The Hills.' MTV moved to strike the plaintiff-homeowner's claims under California's anti-SLAPP statute. After the court dismissed the privacy and trespass claims and deferred ruling on the negligence claim, the homeowner voluntarily dismissed all of his claims against MTV to avoid liability for MTV's attorneys' fees. (Cal. Super. Ct. 2010)

Successfully represented Wenner Media, publisher of "US Weekly," in persuading the California Court of Appeal to overturn a trial court's order denying the magazine's special motion to strike a former employee's $55 million lawsuit for defamation and other torts. On remand, the trial court awarded Wenner Media its attorneys' fees. (Cal. Super. Ct., Cal. Ct. App. 2009)

Petitioned Court of Appeal for emergency writ to vacate prior restraint against newspaper. Court granted petition and issued published opinion reaffirming strong constitutional presumption against prior restraints. (Cal. Super. Ct. 2008)

Defended BusinessWeek reporter who was subpoenaed to testify by Mattel in multibillion-dollar civil lawsuit arising from ownership of 'Bratz' dolls. Relying on First Amendment reporter's privilege, we successfully opposed Mattel's motion to quash and motions for reconsideration before the discovery master, and Mattel's motions asking the district court judge to reverse the master's orders. (C.D. Cal. 2008)

Defended CNN and Larry King against defamation lawsuit filed by actress Lynn Redgrave's ex-husband, based on statements about their divorce proceedings made on 'Larry King Live.' The 9th Circuit affirmed the district court's order dismissing the lawsuit. (C.D. Cal. 2007)

Defended US Weekly against libel claim by Britney Spears. Court granted the magazine's anti-SLAPP motion, dismissed the lawsuit, and awarded the magazine its attorneys' fees. (Cal. Sup. Ct. 2007) Read more

Represented The Copley Press, publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune, in a Public Records Act lawsuit against San Diego State University. The courts ordered the university to release several documents, and awarded the newspaper its attorneys' fees and costs. 132 Cal. App. 4th 889 (Cal. Super. Ct., Cal. ct. App. 2005)

Represented the California Newspaper Publishers Association as amicus curiae in an important newspaper adjudication case. The Court of Appeal allowed CNPA to participate in oral argument and issued a published decision adopting CNPA's position. 127 Cal. App. 4th 836 (Cal. Ct. App. 2005)

Obtained important published decision from the Court of Appeal, reversing a trial-court order denying attorneys' fees to a successful plaintiff in a Brown Act open-meetings case. 112 Cal. App. 4th 1313 (Cal. Super. Ct., Cal. Ct. App. 2003)