Happy New Year performers! This is the ninth edition of the Johnsonese Brokerage Performing Arts Insurance Newsletter. The goal of our quarterly newsletter is to provide useful information about insurance to theatres, musicians and other performing arts groups .
This quarterly newsletter has a little different focus. Typically we cover the physical threats to theatres--fires, storms, theft. This time we take a look at intellectual property threats that can also be protected by insurance. I hope that you find this focus helpful.
And more generally, 2012 looks to be a good year as we continue to climb out of the recession. Take full advantage of the recovery by starting the year off with insurance cost savings!
Contact me today to schedule an appointment!
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Fired "Spider-man" Director Sues Broadway Producers | |
Ousted "Spider-man" director Julie Taymor has sued the Broadway musical's producers for copyright infringement, claiming that the revamped show still retains some of her original work.
Taymor, the Tony-winning director of "The Lion King", spent years working on the $70 million show "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" before she was terminated. The suit alleges that the current show's book was "...copied and derived from Taymor's copyrighted 2004 treatment and her original book." She seeks a permanent injunction barring the show from using her copyrighted elements without compensation. The lawsuit alleges she has suffered in excess of $1 million in damages.
"Spider-Man" producers said in a statement that since Taymor left in March they had "repeatedly tried to resolve these issues. The production has indeed compensated Ms. Taymor for her contribution as a co-book writer."
-Reuters, November 8, 2011
Producer's Liability (or Errors & Omissions) insurance could help to cover this type of copyright claim.
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R&B Group Fights over Band Name | |
Two founding members of 1990s R&B group Blackstreet claim two other musicians who had stints in the band are illegally performing under the name Blackstreet. The Virginia-based band is best known for its 1996 hit "No Diggity".
 The four original founders of the band created its moniker from the last names of two members (Black and Stonestreet). The two defendants recorded and performed with Blackstreet after the group's debut album, having replaced two original band members.
The two founders who still perform as Blackstreet claim that promoters canceled a 20-date European tour for the 'real Blackstreet' earlier this summer after the defendants performed in London under the group's name "...for a far lower price than actual performances by Blackstreet." Defendants are accused of copyright and trademark infringement, false advertising, trademark dilution and unfair competition.
-Entertainment Law Digest, December 7, 2011
Remember that you don't have to lose a lawsuit to lose money. Legal costs can be significant even for successfully defended cases. Insurance can help cover legal defense costs. |
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Legal Battle Breaks Out over Marley Name | |
The widow and nine children of Bob Marley are suing his half brother to stop him from using the Marley name to promote an annual Miami music festival and profit from other businesses in his native Jamaica.
 The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Miami, contends the half brother, businessman Richard Booker, and several affiliated companies are violating copyright and trademark laws by using Marley's name, photographs, lyrics, symbols and other intellectual property without authorization.
The lawsuit says people could be deceived into thinking those uses are officially endorsed by Marley's widow and their children. The defendant and Bob Marley shared the same mother. The entities being sued include the Bob Marley Movement of Jah People Inc., which promotes the music festival, a restaurant in Jamaica called Mama Marley's and several businesses with the name Nine Mile -- the part of Jamaica where Marley grew up and is now buried.
-Contra Costa Times, December 2, 2011
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An Illinois Tax Deal for CME-CBOE-Sears Includes Broadway? |
Major corporations Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange and Sears were threatening to leave the state of Illinois complaining of high taxes. The state legislature quickly passed a tax credit package to keep these major employers and tax payers in the state.
Interestingly, a new $2-million annual credit was also provided to lure pre-Broadway and long-run touring live theater performances to Chicago.
-Crain's Chicago Business, December 9, 2011
Hopefully, this tax credit not only benefits the big Loop theatres, but also has trickledown effect for smaller theatres around the city. Additional shows booked in the Loop might push more shows out to other Chicago theatres.
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AXA's Tips to Protect Your Home for Winter | |
AXA, one of our insurance partners, reminds us to take necessary precautions against the potential risks of the winter season.
- Have your boiler and heating system checked by a certified professional
- Check that your home is watertight
 - Remember to have your gutters and chimney cleaned
- Ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order
- Test your central reporting fire and burglar alarms and set your alarms when away from home
- Make sure you know where the main water supply valve is just in case you experience frozen pipes this winter
- If you are away from home for any length of time, set the thermostat for the heating system at a reasonable temperature to keep your water pipes in your home from freezing
- Ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your house if you take a winter vacation
- If you are hosting a party, move small, fragile items to a safe location
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The Johnsonese Brokerage can assist you with most of your theatre insurance needs. To get started immediately call 773.857.0242 or Email info@johnsonese.com. Thanks for reading our newsletter, Christopher Johnson |
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About the Johnsonese Brokerage |
The Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is a licensed and bonded independent insurance agency focused on insuring the performing arts.
Who we insure:
- Production Companies
- Theatres
- Theatre Companies
- Dance Companies
- Acting Schools
- Concerts
- Musicians
- Bands
- Light & Sound Companies
- Costume & Props Companies
We are licensed in the states of Arizona, California (license #0H55862), Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. How are we doing? Your feedback is always welcome! |
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Common Insurance Terms
1. IIABA
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is an alliance of agents who represent more than one insurance company, so that they can offer clients a wider choice of insurance coverages. Johnsonese Brokerage is a member!
2. PPC
Public Protection Class is a rating system for local fire department services. The class can impact the cost of commercial insurance; a lower number is better.
3. USPAP
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice are guidelines of acceptable methods for conducting appraisals. It is a form of quality control for property appraisals.
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We Work with Top Global Brands!
Interbrand annually ranks the best global brands, using criteria such as financial performance and the role and presence of the brand in the global market. Three of our insurance suppliers made this year's list of top 100 global brands:
- AXA (#53),
- Allianz (#67)
- Zurich (#94)
Go Team!
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A Dog is Not an Arsonist's Best Friend According to Best Review, an insurance industry magazine, dogs are being trained to help fire investigators find accelerant residue (think gasoline) at fire scenes. This is a big deal since arson is the cause of 25% of US fires. Labrador retrievers are typically used as arson dogs because of their tracking ability, ease of training, sociability and strong work ethic. The dogs are also used in outreach programs focused on fire prevention. |
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We Appreciate Referrals!
As a service business, referrals are our biggest source of new clients.
If you know of any other business needing insurance, please let us know. We promise to give them the same personal and professional service that you've come to expect from the Johnsonese Brokerage.
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Our Business Partners
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AmWins -
AXA -
Chubb -
CNA -
Hartford -
Insurance Noodle -
Markel -
Philadelphia -
Risk Placement Services
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