WIH+: Bryan vs. Bryan, Netflix ‘Reindeer’ Pressure Points & Life Rights Nightmares

Welcome back to What I’m Hearing+, Tuesday’s conflict-obsessed companion to the already conflict-laden What I’m Hearing. A big welcome back to Eriq Gardner, who was off last week running the Chicago half-marathon. (In related news, I shuffled around my neighborhood this morning.) Today, Eriq explores a fascinating legal case involving Jack Nicklaus and the owners of the golfer’s name, image, and likeness. Do famous people cede control over their personas in N.I.L. deals? Plus, the latest CAA litigation, a Dish-DirecTV deal hurdle, and tough news for Baby Reindeer’s real-life “Martha.”
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Welcome back to What I’m Hearing+, Tuesday’s conflict-obsessed companion to the already conflict-laden What I’m Hearing. A big welcome back to Eriq Gardner, who was off last week running the Chicago half-marathon. (In related news, I shuffled around my neighborhood this morning.) Today, Eriq explores a fascinating legal case involving Jack Nicklaus and the owners of the golfer’s name, image, and likeness. Do famous people cede control over their personas in N.I.L. deals? Plus, the latest CAA litigation, a Dish-DirecTV deal hurdle, and tough news for Baby Reindeer’s real-life “Martha.” Take it away, Eriq….

Tuesday Thoughts

Bryan v. Bryan, Part 2: Bryan Lourd’s CAA, which recently accused a group of former employees of running an unlicensed talent agency, is now defending itself against allegations of running an unauthorized law firm. The charge is from...

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The Sad Case of Jack Nicklaus vs. “Jack Nicklaus”

Fifteen years after signing away his life rights to a business partner, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus is fighting a messy, potentially precedent-setting legal war to reclaim his name and image—including from an A.I. double.

ERIQ GARDNER

For the past two years, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus has been waging a legal battle to claw back rights to his name and image from the Nicklaus Companies, which he left in a huff in 2022. Fifteen years earlier, Nicklaus made the fateful decision to sell the company his name, image, and likeness in a deal valued at $145 million. Now, in a particularly surreal twist, which could impact Hollywood and sports stars, the Nicklaus Companies have authorized an A.I. version of Nicklaus—and is accusing the actual 84-year-old retired golfer of unfair competition for doing things like...

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