Los Angeles
310.826.7474
EDUCATION
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law (J.D.)
University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., summa cum laude)
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Bennett Bigman is a partner at Russ August & Kabat. He is a member of the Media & Entertainment and Litigation & Trial groups. His practice focuses on all aspects of the entertainment industry, representing clients in the film, television and music industries in matters involving accounting and profit participation claims, copyright and trademark disputes, right of publicity, idea submissions, breach of contract, defamation, employment and insurance. He is particularly experienced in intellectual property disputes involving copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair competition and trade secret litigation, and licensing disputes. Bennett has brought countless claims on behalf of his clients against companies that were self-dealing on licensing fees and a variety of other revenue streams.
Bennett represents actors, directors, writers, producers, musical artists, production companies, agents, managers, company executives, distributors, post-production companies and video game companies. He also regularly counsels companies and individuals regarding the enforcement and licensing of their intellectual property assets.
Bennett has extensive experience in civil litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in various arbitration tribunals. He also represents individuals and corporations in various business disputes and general corporate matters, as well as in employment, real estate and insurance coverage disputes. Bennett takes a pragmatic, strategic approach to get the best results for his clients.
Bennett is a frequent commentator on copyright and intellectual property issues and is often quoted in publications, including:
- “The Late Charles Bukowski Still Raising a Ruckus,” Courthouse News Service, April 26, 2017
- “Anticipated Led Zeppelin Trial Starts Tuesday”, Daily Journal, June 10, 2016
- “Library Ruling A Good Sign For Google In Next Book Case,” Law360, June 12, 2014
- “With ‘Raging Bull,’ High Court Can Fix Laches Circuit Split,” Law360, October 1, 2013
- “Legendary Denied Arbitration in ‘Godzilla’ Producers Suit,” Law360, May 10, 2013
- “Legal Landmark: Artists Start to Reclaim Rights to Their Music,” Variety, April 16, 2013
- “Producers In ‘Godzilla’ Fight Fire Back At Legendary Pictures,” Law360, January 17, 2013
Bennett was named to The Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition) for Litigation – Intellectual Property. He was recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer from 2006-2007 and from 2009-2024 by the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine. Bennett was honored in Variety’s 2024 Legal Impact Report. He is included as a Recognized Practitioner by Chambers USA, in Media and Entertainment: Litigation.
Recent Matters
- Century of Progress, Inc., et al. v. Studiocanal, et al.: Representation of the co-creators of the iconic “mockumentary” film This Is Spinal Tap in an action involving the creators’ profit participation and rights ownership. The case involved complicated accounting issues as well as cutting-edge legal issues regarding co-creators’ rights to terminate their copyright grants and regain ownership of their trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
- Riggle v. Riggle: Representation of actor Rob Riggle as plaintiff in an action asserting claims for invasion of privacy and related statutory violations.
- SAS Black Sparrow v. AMBI Distribution: Representation of motion picture producer/financier in an action to recover amounts invested in an independent film.
- Representation of music industry icon Scott (“Scooter”) Braun, his companies and business manager in an arbitration involving an investment firm that the respondent was hired to manage. The case involves claims for, among others, breach of contract, fraud, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Representation of Trancas International Films, producers of the highly successful Halloween motion picture franchise, in connection with contractual and profit participation issues.
- Representation of Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc., in connection with U.S. projects, including the television series American Ninja Warrior.
- Kylin Pictures adv. Treehouse Films, et al. – Representation of international film company in breach of contract action brought by actor Kevin Costner regarding the motion picture Shanghai Sojourners
- Lin Pictures, et al. adv. Legendary Pictures: Representation of well-known producers in an action involving a major theatrical release, including a successful result on Legendary’s appeal of an order denying arbitration
Bennett has represented:
- Numerous well-known Hollywood producers, directors, writers and actors in profit participation disputes
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Authors and screenwriters whose works have become some of the most famous motion pictures and television series of all time in connection with complex rights analyses and copyright termination issues
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Actors and managers in commission disputes that were successfully resolved prior to litigation
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Producer of a popular cable television series in connection with defamation and privacy issues
- A leading post-production company in a copyright infringement action and other intellectual property and employment disputes
- A major advertising agency in a federal action involving the use of an image in an advertising campaign – won a defense verdict at trial
- A distributor of motion picture camera equipment in a dispute with a manufacturer
- Professional athletes in disputes with former agents
- A successful producer in disputes concerning the format of a popular television show and other intellectual property rights
- The heir of a Broadway composer in a case involving copyright termination issues
- An independent film producer in a copyright infringement action involving a famous novel
- A high-level entertainment executive in connection with a complex employment dispute
- Business owners in an arbitration involving commercial and real estate issues
- High-profile individuals in obtaining retractions from online and print entertainment media
Articles/Publications
- “U.S. Copyright Office weighs in on protection of AI-generated works”, Los Angeles Daily Journal (February 28, 2023)
- “Warhol, Prince and the future of copyright,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (October 06, 2022)
- “The Details are in the Devil in this Copyright Lawsuit,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (November 13, 2018)
- “Down the Stairway to Heaven, and into District Court,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (October 08, 2018)
- “One last swing at Google Books project,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (January 12, 2016)
- “Google Books decision is logical evolution of law,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (November 2, 2015)
- Co-author of the mock trial “screenplay” for the 2006 ABA Litigation Section meeting involving entertainment litigation