Producer

Missy Elliott and Producer Terry Williams Reach Last-Minute Settlement, Burying Decades-Old Copyright Dispute

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PHILADELPHIA — Rap legend Missy Elliott and producer Terry Williams resolved their contentious copyright dispute just moments before a jury was set to be selected, concluding a prolonged legal battle over the ownership of music recorded more than 30 years ago. The settlement, which was announced in federal court Friday morning, comes amid a backdrop of dueling lawsuits concerning the authorship of early recordings. U.S. District Judge Nitza Quinones Alejandro informed a group of prospective jurors that the attorneys for both parties had come to an agreement after extensive discussions leading up to the trial. … Read more

Music Producer Withdraws Lawsuit Against Chris Brown Amid Ongoing Criminal Charges

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London, England — A music producer who alleged that Chris Brown assaulted him at a London nightclub has decided to withdraw his lawsuit against the artist. Amadou “Abe” Diaw reportedly submitted a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice, indicating that it cannot be refiled in the future. Diaw’s lawsuit emerged following a February 2023 incident where he claimed Brown struck him with a tequila bottle and stomped on him, leading to hospitalization. The lawsuit sought damages amounting to $16 million. Brown has consistently denied the allegations, pleading not guilty to charges of grievous bodily … Read more

Washington and Maryland Pioneer Extended Producer Responsibility Laws, Catalyzing a New Wave in Sustainable Packaging Legislation

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Washington and Maryland have recently taken significant strides towards fostering a circular economy by implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws aimed at promoting sustainable packaging. These new regulations shift the onus of recycling costs from local governments to the companies that manufacture packaging, thus aligning financial incentives with environmental accountability. On May 17, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5284, which represents a comprehensive approach to EPR for packaging and paper products. Meanwhile, in Maryland, Senate Bill 901 was enacted on May 13. These legislative changes represent a substantial shift in how recycling is … Read more

60 Minutes Executive Producer Resigns Amid Turbulent Trump Lawsuit, Cites Pressures on Editorial Independence

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WASHINGTON — Bill Owens, the executive producer of the highly acclaimed news magazine “60 Minutes,” has resigned from his role, marking a significant shift within the media institution. His resignation on Tuesday comes during a complex time for the show, intertwined with a legal challenge from President Donald Trump, who has filed a lawsuit alleging defamation by the program. Since assuming the role in 2019, Owens became only the third person to lead “60 Minutes,” which has been a staple of American television for over five decades. According to an internal memo seen by The … Read more